For the last 72 years, the Land Cruiser has been Toyota's do anything, go anywhere, world-spanning SUV. But its evolution has been slow, and the 200 series that new edition replaces in North America is now 16 years old (other parts of the world have had many other variants). Since then, the large SUV class has modernized, changed, and diversified, with everything from four-ton Rivian EVs to Baja-storming Broncos chipping away at market share. In 2021, the last year of U.S. Land Cruiser sales, Toyota sold 3,711 of them, 0.16% of it's total, and that was still more than 2020. Even Jaguar-Land Rover is selling four times as many of the most traditional Range Rover model.

Toyota isn't the world's second-largest automaker because they make bad decisions, so to keep one of the most famous names in the automotive world alive, Land Cruiser would have to modernize.

The 2024 250-series Land Cruiser is not evolutionary, though: It's a complete change. It uses a global truck platform that does not support a V-8, so a high-output variant on the corporate hybrid turbo 2.4 four-cylinder is underhood, while the exterior has gone full retro, with a lot of old Land Cruiser—and FJ—cues. It's controversial, and only time will tell if it works.

Toyota provided initial information about the 2024 Land Cruiser late in the summer of 2023, but the company won't finalize all details including mileage, final pricing, and weight until spring of 2024. It will not be available to road test until that time.

Related: Toyota Land Cruiser Vs Lexus LX 570: We Pick The Ultimate Japanese Luxury SUV

What’s New For 2023

Literally everything, although it has many parts in common with Toyota trucks. Known as the Prado (light-duty model) in many global markets, the 250-Series LC is now based on the global TNGA-F truck platform, shared with (or soon to be) the 2024 Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia; and any Lexus counterparts. It's a lightweight, high-strength ladder frame using tailor welded blank (TWB) construction, which is fascinating but deeply technical. Toyota says it's a massive 30% more rigid overall than the old model and allows for more wheel articulation.

It's narrower and shorter than the last North American model by an inch or two, and presumably much lighter, although a weight hasn't been published yet. The new platform cannot accept a V-8, and only comes with a high-performace variant of the corporate turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four, with a 1.87 kWh battery hybrid sytem helping to make up the difference. The more powerful V-6 hybrid offered in other models on the platform is not an option.

Styling is very reminiscent of a large FJ Cruiser, if more angular, and it's hard not to think it wants to be invited to the same parties as the Ford Bronco. It is still a real offroader, and has four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, good approach and departure angles, and a lot of technology (and off-road accessories). Testing video shows a flat underbody with some protection, so there shouldn't be much to hang up on the trail, for the 1% of owners who will take one offroad.

The interior is as chunky as the exterior and while distinctive, it has a lot of black plastic. Toyota traditionally pays a lot of attention to making the things you touch feel good, so it should be an acceptable place to spend time.

2023 Highlights

• Lightweight ladder frame
• Electric power steering
• Hybrid powertrain
• Heritage-inspired styling
• High level of standard equipment
• Expected to be priced lower than previous model
• Retains serious offroad credentials

Exterior Dimensions

All three trims ("grades"), Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and the limited run Land Cruiser First Edition, have the same exterior dimensions. Toyota has not yet disclosed some measurements. The 2024 model has slightly less ground clearance, but better angles of approach, breakover, and departure than the old model, due to smaller front and rear overhangs—overall length is down slightly, but the wheelbase is the same.

Engine Specifications And Performance

The single biggest change to the 'Yota for this year is the corporate T24A-FTS hybrid turbo inline-four as the only engine option. The company calls it i-FORCE MAX, and it will also be found in U.S. Tacomas. At least at launch, the Tundra and Sequoia's hot 3.4-liter 437 horsepower/583 pound-feet hybrid V-6 will not be available, which is an indication of how much smaller it is than the 7,385 pounds of trail crushing weight of the last generation Cruiser.

The mild hybrid uses a small 1.87 kWh battery pack and 48hp motor integrated into the eight-speed transmission. There's no information yet about whether there will be an all-electric drive mode like smaller Toyota hybrids, but in a truck-based SUV we don't think it's likely. In the Tacoma, the same system is used to help the truck stay in a higher gear more often, improving fuel economy. The instant torque at zero RPM will also be welcome when trail crawling, or getting a towed load moving.

For offroading, there's an electronically-disconnecting anti-sway bar, full-time four-wheel-drive with a two-speed transfer case, and Multi Terrain Select, which has a range of different drive modes for different conditions, including low-speed crawl control.

Performance Specifications

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

• Buttons and knobs means less switching screens
• 4G hotspot available
• SmartKey entry
• Large windows promise good visibility
• Bolsters and grab handles for offroading

We have limited information about the interior. Everything is very chunky, verging on comically oversized, with knee cushions, side bolsters, and interior grab handles. Toyota has gone for full belt-and-suspenders with controls—there's a digital dash and eight-inch horizontal screen, but also dozens of buttons and switches, including at least 15 of them on the steering wheel, which also sports its own small display, paddle shifters, and two multifunction stalks.

There is a lot of textured black plastic everywhere, with only a few accents like a strip for your arm on the door, stylized vents, and hints of trim. Some features, like a heads-up display, larger 12.3-inch display, leather, and premium audio, will be limited to upper trim levels or a premium package. We know there's the usual 60-40 split/fold-flat rear seats, with a high liftover to accommodate the undercarriage-mounted spare tire.

Interior Dimensions

Interior dimensions for the 2024 Land Cruiser are not yet available, although we do know that the "1958" model will not offer third row seats.

Safety And Reliability

As a new model there is no reliability data, but Toyota has been the most reliable automaker for a long, long time, and the Land Cruiser uses a lot of parts from Toyota trucks. The T24A-FTS 2.4-liter hybrid engine is already well-developed, and a simpler design than the V-6 hybrid. The LC's many electronic systems, both interior and offroad-oriented, are complex, but again, this is not the company's first rodeo.

Driver Assistance Features

In typical Toyota fashion, all models come with comprehensive safety features and the full Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) package. The only safety-related feature of which we're aware that may be optional is a heads-up display. This will still be a tall, heavy SUV with a lot of wheel travel and tall (70R/18) offroad-biased tires, so physics is still going to win in an emergency maneuver.

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Proactive Driving Assist

TSS 3.0 is updated for the new Land Cruiser, and incudes emergency stop for nonresponsive (or extremely distracted) drivers, upgraded blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and hill-start control for steep (unpaved) grades or other slippery conditions.

IIHS Crash Testing And NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

IIHS has never tested a Land Cruiser, and the NHTSA has not crashed one since 1982.

Warranties

The Land Cruiser has the same warranty as all other Toyota passenger vehicles in North America, two years/25,000 miles of Toyotacare free service; a 36-month/36,000-mile basic warranty, and additional warranties for the powertrain and hybrid systems. These lengths are typical for most automakers, although Range Rover offers an additional year.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Versus Its Competitors

The Land Cruiser seems to be moving downscale from its "luxury offroader" image. The new model hypothetically comes in under $60,000, far under the old model's $85,000-and-up, and it moves into a very different category where you would now cross-shop a Wrangler or Bronco. Even the least expensive Land Rover Discovery is going to run you over $90,000 at a dealer, although a base Rivian R1S will overlap with higher trim levels.

Toyota will also be slotting it in between its own Sequoia and offroad-focused 4Runner, neither of which have 2024 models announced yet. Sequoia, as a substantially larger seven-seater, is likely to be less direct competition than the 4Runner, where a Limited trim is generally priced in the $50,000 range.

How The Land Cruiser Compares To The Ford Bronco

• 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands

  Model

  Badlands

  Engine:

  2.4-liter turbo inline four/2.7-liter turbo V-6

  Power Output

  300/330 HP

  Torque

  315/415 LB-FT

  Transmission

  7-speed manual/10-speed automatic

  Driveline

  AWD, F/R locking axles

  MSRP

  $50,685

  Towing Capacity

  3,340 pounds

• 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

  Model

  Land Cruiser 1958

  Engine:

  2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four

  Power Output

  326 HP

  Torque

  465 LB-FT

  Transmission

  8-speed automatic

  Driveline

  4WD w/2-speed transfer case

  MSRP

  NA (est. $55,000)

  Towing Capacity

  6,000 pounds

Just optioning the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 in a four-door Bronco Badlands gets the MSRP to $56,720, which puts it within the margin of error of the expected price of the LC. It's still a little down on power, but it's also under 5,000 pounds, which we'd be pleasantly surprised if the Toyota can match, so power-to-weight is likely to be comparable. Both interiors are loaded with black plastic, although the Bronco's is more highly styled and arguably more interesting. You will have to pony up another $1,900 to get a hard top on the Bronco instead of the cloth roof.

The Bronco has the hardware to make it a serious offroad contender, and either should be Rubicon capable. Toyota's standard safety and driver convenience package is industry-leading, and you have to option up tp a package with Ford Co-Pilot360 to match it. Just optioning a hard top, safety features, and the V-6 makes it a $63,190 MSRP. It's still another $5,200 to get a package with on-demand four-wheel drive, making it extremely easy to turn a Bronco into a $70,000 SUV.

Ford already offers numerous factory options, Jeep-style, to outfit it for work and play, and Toyota promises to have "over 100" accessories available to order with the vehicle.

Related: 2022 Ford Bronco Badlands 4-Door Review: The Off-Roading SUV You Can Daily Drive

• 2023 Toyota 4Runner

  Model

  TRD Pro

  Engine:

  4.0-liter V-6

  Power Output

  270 HP

  Torque

  278 LB-FT

  Transmission

  5-speed automatic

  Driveline

  Full time 4WD, two-speed locking center differential

  MSRP

  $54,020

  Towing Capacity

  5,000 pounds

• 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

  Model

  Land Cruiser 1958

  Engine:

  2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four

  Power Output

  326 HP

  Torque

  465 LB-FT

  Transmission

  8-speed automatic

  Driveline

  4WD w/2-speed transfer case

  MSRP

  NA (est. $55,000)

  Towing Capacity

  6,000 pounds

How The Toyota Land Cruiser Compares To The Toyota 4Runner

Sibling rivalry can be ugly, but this one shouldn't last long. A new 4Runner will probably launch until next year as a 2025 model, so we're not likely to see any significant changes between the 2023 and 2024 models. It's possible there won't be a 2024 4Runner, but it sells well enough and is such a large part of Toyota lore that we expect another full year.

The two vehicles share a lot in capability, but they get there in very different ways. The 4Runner is one of the oldest of old school SUVs—much like the Jeep Wrangler, it's focused on capability first, and comfort second. We think it's a great looking design, especially in the murdered-out (and sold out) 40th Anniversary Special Edition. It's the last holdout for the 4.0-liter V-6 in Toyota's lineup, although we have no information about what engine will be available for 2024.

It's not a very refined an experience now, and it will definitely be less refined than the Land Cruiser. The old platform means that some modern features, both safety and convenience, just aren't available. However, the 4Runner has an available seven-seat configuration, and no seven seat Land Cruiser has been announced yet. The 4Runner is one of the top-10 most reliable vehicles ever made, and if we were choosing, we'd grab one for its durability and charm while we could over the Land Cruiser.

Related: 10 Solid Reasons To Buy The Aging Toyota 4Runner In 2023

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How Much Does A 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Cost?

Toyota says the base Land Cruiser 1958 grade will start "in the mid-$50,000 range." The limited production, range-topping First Edition, which folds in numerous standard and unique options, will add to that substantially. We also anticipate that dealer markups are likely to make it difficult to find one at the listed retail price until initial demand is filled, which could easily take a year or more.

Fuel Economy

Toyota has since removed this reference to fuel economy

Toyota briefly published a 27 MPG combined figure for the 2024 Land Cruiser, then quietly deleted it, but not before it had been reported widely and that does give an indication of the vicinity they're expecting. We don't think it'll be that high—the same engine (albeit with a different motor setup) in a much more aerodynamic Lexus RX500h does reach that 27 MPG mark in real-world driving, so we'd expect the LC to come in at the 24-26 MPG range. Full-time four-wheel drive and losses from the transfer case, as well as knobby tires, will also eat a few MPG.

Even so, this would almost double the real world 12-15 MPG of the V-8. It's possible premium fuel grades may be required to achieve this, but it would be out of character for the SUV's go-anywhere attitude.

In other Toyotas where the hybrid 2.4 has replaced larger engines, gains have been modest, although there should be a lot more room for improvement when combined with a (presumably) much lower curb weight. The turbo should make a difference at higher altitudes, where the V-8 struggled a little. We don't see any reason the different trims should have different mileage

Is It Worth Buying The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser?

At a promised mid-$50,000 price point, coming in right between a TRD Pro 4Runner or Grand Highlander and Sequoia, it's a very attractive proposition for someone who wants to stand out, and retain the potential to take it offroad. Its stiffest competition may be Toyota's own 4Runner, and we don't yet know enough specifics about what it's actually like to drive the Land Cruiser to tell if there's an argument for making the upgrade. Toyota will probably differentiate the two further with the 2025 4Runner.

Both the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited play in very similar price ranges, although they both have a huge range of models and trims that make a direct comparison difficult. We expect the Land Cruiser will be easier to live with as a commuter than the Jeep, and Toyota reliability will certainly be a factor. We're not sold on the Land Cruiser's styling, especially compared to a four-door Bronco. As a brand-new design, Toyota will almost certainly offer a higher level of standard equipment, especially safety, than anything else in the class, and there's something to be said for driving a genuine legend.