The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser arrives carrying a significant legacy, especially as Toyota’s long-standing flagship SUV in the US market. While the ultra-luxurious Century reigns supreme in Japan, the Land Cruiser has held a special place in American hearts. However, this new iteration appears to be targeting a broader audience, aiming for mainstream appeal. Despite its undeniably eye-catching retro exterior, the 2024 Land Cruiser struggles to deliver the exceptional experience one might expect, feeling surprisingly ordinary in many aspects.
Retro Design and First Impressions
Toyota has masterfully crafted a retro aesthetic for the 2024 Land Cruiser, and it’s undeniably a head-turner. The design clearly evokes the iconic Land Cruisers of the past, successfully capturing a nostalgic charm. However, beneath the vintage-inspired sheet metal, the new Land Cruiser represents a notable shift. It’s now based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, which shares its underpinnings with the smaller Toyota 4Runner. This downsizing, coupled with the replacement of the traditional V8 engine with a modern turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, signals a move towards a more accessible and, arguably, less specialized vehicle. While the styling is indeed “wonderful” as some might say, this initial visual appeal doesn’t necessarily translate to a comprehensively satisfying driving experience.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Hybrid Hype vs. Reality
The buzz around the 2024 Land Cruiser often highlights its “clever hybrid powertrain” and the benefits of downsizing. However, real-world fuel economy figures tell a different story. Despite the hybrid assist and the smaller four-cylinder engine, this SUV disappointingly averaged under 18 MPG in mixed daily driving conditions during testing. This figure is particularly jarring when considering the EPA’s combined estimate of 25 MPG, which proved to be far from achievable. To further put this into perspective, a test of the significantly larger Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid, yielded the exact same fuel economy. The promise of hybrid efficiency seems to fall flat in the Land Cruiser, raising questions about the actual benefits of this powertrain choice in this specific application. Adding to the underwhelming engine experience, the four-cylinder is noticeably loud at idle, producing clicks and clacks that sound unrefined for a new vehicle.
Performance and Driving Experience: Serviceable but Uninspiring
While the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser boasts a combined 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque from its hybrid system, the on-road performance feels merely adequate rather than genuinely quick. The 0-60 MPH time of 7.5 seconds is respectable for a vehicle of this type, but it doesn’t deliver the punchy acceleration that the “i-FORCE MAX” badge might suggest. Around town and in typical driving situations, the performance is certainly serviceable, aligning with the capabilities of many modern vehicles. Fortunately, the engine is relatively smooth, lacking the harshness often associated with older Toyota four-cylinders. On a positive note, the Land Cruiser’s steering is precise and responsive, making it surprisingly easy to maneuver despite its boxy dimensions. Furthermore, the handling is reasonably composed for an SUV of this class, offering a degree of balance in cornering situations that surpasses previous Land Cruiser and 4Runner models. The ride quality is also commendable, effectively absorbing various road imperfections without the overly stiff or jiggly feel sometimes found in Toyota trucks and SUVs of the past.
Interior and Practicality: Compromises and Cost-Cutting
Stepping inside the 2024 Land Cruiser reveals an interior that is “nice for a Toyota,” but falls short of expectations for a vehicle in the $70,000 price range. While soft-touch materials and brown accents create an initial impression of quality, closer inspection reveals areas where cost-cutting measures are evident. The seats, despite their appearance, are quite flat and lack support, potentially becoming uncomfortable on longer journeys. Several controls feel flimsy and awkwardly positioned, such as the creaky air conditioning buttons that exhibit noticeable flex. The volume knob’s placement is particularly perplexing, being inaccessible to the passenger and partially obscured from the driver’s view by the steering wheel – an odd design oversight. The doors lack the solid, bank-vault-like closure of previous Land Cruisers, sounding tinny and hollow, indicative of lighter construction. The hybrid battery pack impacts cargo space, raising the load floor and reducing overall storage volume. While road noise is well-suppressed, wind noise is noticeable, particularly from the large side mirrors, especially at higher speeds. Even with windows down at moderate speeds, wind buffeting from the mirrors becomes intrusive. Furthermore, the air conditioning system proved surprisingly weak for a brand-new vehicle, struggling to cool the cabin effectively even in moderately warm temperatures. Similarly, the front seat warmers were virtually imperceptible, barely emitting any noticeable heat even on their highest setting.
Off-Road Capability: Limited by Ground Clearance?
The 2024 Land Cruiser is equipped with an array of off-road technologies and drive modes, suggesting serious capability. However, a closer look at the specifications reveals a potential limitation: ground clearance. At 8.7 inches, the Land Cruiser’s ground clearance is actually less than that of the current Toyota 4Runner and only marginally better than a standard Highlander. This modest ground clearance raises questions about its true off-road prowess in demanding situations. While advanced suspension articulation and electronic aids are undoubtedly beneficial, they cannot fully compensate for limited ground clearance when encountering obstacles like rocks and uneven terrain. For a vehicle often associated with overlanding and serious off-road adventures, the Land Cruiser’s ground clearance could be a significant drawback straight from the factory. It prompts the question: what is the purpose of sophisticated off-road technology if the vehicle is ultimately limited by its clearance? While the Land Cruiser will undoubtedly perform adequately off-road, its capabilities might not surpass, and may even fall short of, less expensive SUVs with better ground clearance, such as the 4Runner TRD Pro.
Fashion Statement or Functional Off-Roader?
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser undeniably possesses strong visual appeal, drawing attention and eliciting positive reactions with its retro styling. For some buyers, this aesthetic appeal may be the primary driving factor, transforming the Land Cruiser into more of a fashion statement than a purely functional off-road machine – similar to how many Mercedes G-Wagons rarely venture off paved roads. However, beyond its looks, the Land Cruiser struggles to fully live up to expectations. The engine is underwhelming in terms of both fuel economy and outright performance. The interior, while decent, lacks the premium feel expected at its price point. And the off-road capability, while present, is potentially hampered by limited ground clearance compared to other, even less expensive, Toyota models. Ultimately, the 2024 Land Cruiser is not necessarily a bad vehicle, but it’s a disappointing one, particularly considering the hype and heritage surrounding the nameplate. By aiming for broader, mainstream appeal, Toyota may have inadvertently diminished the very qualities that made the Land Cruiser special and desirable in the first place. The previous generation Land Cruiser, with its rarity and unique character, felt more special. This new iteration, in many ways, feels like just another Toyota SUV. For those seeking a more genuinely “proper” Land Cruiser experience, the Lexus GX 550, which shares a similar design but boasts a more luxurious interior and a more powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, might be a significantly more satisfying choice. Early indications suggest the GX 550 addresses many of the shortcomings of the Toyota Land Cruiser, making it a compelling alternative for discerning buyers.
