Toyota Land Cruiser has been noticeably absent from the lineup of car manufacturers selling in the American market since 2021. By that time, the demand in America had grown for luxurious SUVs with 8-passenger seats that possess off-road capabilities.
Despite the model's three-year absence from American showrooms, a new rugged SUV is making its way back, as the Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 returns to its roots with some nods to its old design, increased maneuverability, and, most importantly, a lower price.
Toyota’s iconic off-road legend, the Land Cruiser, is making a triumphant return to the North American market after a three-year hiatus. The 2024 Land Cruiser stays true to its heritage as a durable off-roader but is now available at a more accessible MSRP in the mid-$50,000 range. The new Land Cruiser is exclusively powered by i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. It comes with a range of off-road features, including Multi-Terrain Select, CRAWL Control, and Downhill Assist Control. Here’s everything you need to know about the launch of the new Toyota Land Cruiser 2024.
Back to its Origin
Land Cruiser has a rich history that spans over six decades. Toyota sold only one unit of the first Land Cruiser in its first year in the U.S. market. When the 40 Series arrived, the Land Cruiser became the top-selling Toyota in the US for five consecutive years. These early Land Cruiser models were known for their solid front and rear axles on leaf springs, and they had a distinctive boxy look with a flat roof, short overhangs, and “TOYOTA” grilles that became iconic. Now, in its return to the U.S. market, Land Cruiser stays true to its heritage as a high-quality off-roader at a more accessible price point. The new Land Cruiser is built on the TNGA-F global truck platform, which allows for more rigidity in the chassis compared to the 200 Series model. The new Land Cruiser is 4.4 inches narrower and 1.2 inches shorter than the outgoing 200 Series model, making it nimbler on the trails.
i-FORCE MAX Hybrid Standard
The new Land Cruiser is equipped with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain as a standard feature on all grades. This powertrain combines a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 48-hp electric motor, integrated into an eight-speed transmission that draws power from a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery pack, resulting in a total system output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Additionally, all Land Cruisers come with a four-wheel-drive system, a center locking differential, and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high/low range. The system is also equipped with vehicle stability control (VSC) and an automatic limited-slip differential (Auto LSD). An electronic locking rear differential is standard on all Land Cruisers and can help split power 50/50 to the rear wheels for improved traction control on rough terrain.
An Off-Road Icon
The Land Cruiser has been a legendary off-road vehicle for a long time, and this new generation continues its legacy. It includes off-road technology that has been introduced on the latest Toyota trucks. For example, the Land Cruiser and First Edition grades come standard with an all-new front stabilizer bar disconnect that increases flexibility with the push of a button. The Land Cruiser has an approach angle of up to 31.0 degrees and a max departure of 22.0 degrees, while the breakover angle reaches 25.0 degrees. Ground clearance is up to 8.7 inches. For off-road protection, Land Cruiser customers can add rock rails and full-coverage high-strength steel skid plates. For off-road recovery, front tow/recovery hooks come standard. The Land Cruiser 1958 grade comes standard from the factory with fog lamps that will aid in overall visibility. The Land Cruiser grade gets upgraded color-selectable RIGID fog lamps.
Multi-Terrain Select, which is now functional in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low, is standard on the Land Cruiser grade and offers adjustable settings to help control wheel spin on a variety of terrains such as Mud, Dirt, and Sand. The Land Cruiser comes with standard off-road features like CRAWL Control, which acts as a low-speed cruise control for off-road driving, allowing the driver to focus on steering while the system maintains one of five selectable speeds. Another standard off-road feature is Downhill Assist Control, which helps the driver navigate descents by limiting the speed of the vehicle. Drivers can view potential obstacles that are looming on the trail via the Multi-Terrain Monitor which can display crisply on the available 12.3-inch touchscreen, which comes standard on the Land Cruiser grade.
Limited First Edition Grade
Limited to 5,000 units for the first two months of production, the Land Cruiser will be offered in a First Edition grade that includes two new two-tone paint colors and additional off-road equipment. The First Edition grade has round heritage LED headlamps, a roof rack, rock rails, and exclusive interior design.
A Connected Cruiser
The Land Cruiser 1958 models feature black fabric seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen displaying Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The new multimedia system also allows drivers to access a wide range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. The Land Cruiser grade comes with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen display, which is standard and displays Toyota’s latest Premium Audio Multimedia system.
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