The Toyota Land Cruiser brand is massively valuable, so when the vehicle left the U.S. market after 2021, you knew it would return. But you didn’t know it would come back like this: smaller, hybrid-powered, significantly cheaper, and with a totally different look. Here’s a first look at the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Maybe we should put “Land Cruiser” in quotes, because though this new machine bears that legendary name, this new hybrid-powered body-on-frame SUV is only tangentially related to the vehicle line that we’ve come to know here in the United States. Some may be worried that this is a “lite” version of the 300 Series Land Cruiser offered elsewhere; I’ll get into that later, but let’s first show off this new machine:
The Boxiness We All Crave
Appearance is where it all starts, and on the surface the new machine — which is 1.2 inches shorter than its predecessor — appears to be a Land Cruiser enthusiast’s dream. The styling of the new Land Cruiser is blocky and rugged, and seems to draw much of its inspiration from both the 60 and 80 Series. The windshield is rectangular, the A-pillars hit the roofline at a hard 45-degree angle, and the roof is virtually flat.
Two different headlight designs are available, one with a circular LED array, and the other a rectangular. This seems to call back to the early 60 Series model, which had circular lights, and the facelifted version (which became the 62 Series) that ditched the circles for rectangles.
Around back, the blockiness continues, though in this case, the gently rounded rear haunches and vertically-oriented taillights seem to take inspiration from the 80 Series.
Inside, the rugged-retro cues continue, with charming circular HVAC vents juxtaposed against modern switchgear and Toyota’s new infotainment system, which debuted on the third-generation Tundra.
A Regular Rear Liftgate
My favorite feature of my Land Cruisers is the split rear tailgate. I’ve used it as everything — a bench for hanging out with friends after a hike, a workstation to open up a map on or for patching punctured sleeping pads, a kitchen counter while camping, even as a platform for standing on to access stuff on the roof. Just this past weekend I spent an hour sitting on it with my dog while we camped at 10,500 ft.
Timber and I won’t be able to do this in the new Land Cruiser though because it only comes with a standard single-piece top-hinged rear hatch. This is also a departure from the previous-generation Prado and GX, which had a side-hinged rear hatch. While the side-hinged hatch allowed for the installation of a fold out table for use in the field, it was heavy and usually inconvenient to use, so it’s unlikely it’ll be missed by many. Worth noting: The glass on this new Land Cruiser can still be opened independently from the rest of the gate, just like in previous generations of the Prado and GX.
However, the tailgate is a major loss that I don’t think I’ll ever get over. If only Toyota understood its glory, maybe it would’ve worked this into the new design. Alas, we’ll never know, as the new Land Cruiser gets notably more boring in this area. [Editor’s Note: This was probably a cost-save, if I had to guess. Worth it for the lower price, in my opinion. -DT].
Trim Level Simplicity
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will be offered in two core trim levels: Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser. The easiest way to tell the main two trims apart will be by the headlights — the entry-level 1958 gets the aforementioned round headlights, while the standard Land Cruiser gets the rectangular units.
There will also be a 5,000-unit run of a special First Edition that’ll combine elements of both trims, plus some bolt-on off-road accessories to make a fully-loaded trail-ready rig. Details on the First Edition are a little scarce at launch. (It oddly flips things back to round headlights).
Outside of off-road bits, which we’ll get to momentarily, additions to non-1958 models include a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen to the 1958’s eight-inch unit, a sound system with 10 speakers (four more than the 1958), and heated and ventilated power seats wrapped in simulated leather. A Premium package, available on either model, adds some nice-to-haves like a sunroof, heated and ventilated seats with real leather, additional speakers, a digital rearview mirror, and more.
Perhaps a consolation for those disappointed by the perceived “watering down” of this icon (again, it’s the same as the Prado sold elsewhere, and the Prado is traditionally considered a light-duty Land Cruiser), this will be the first Land Cruiser-branded vehicle to be sold new in the U.S. that can be had with neither leather seats nor a sunroof since a handful of “poverty pack” 100 Series models that slipped in for the 1999 model year. Here’s at least one area where the new Land Cruiser plays to its most ardent fans.
A Rear Locker For Everyone
For when the pavement ends, the new Land Cruiser comes standard with a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential and driver-selectable low range — a familiar layout from past iterations of both the full-size and Prado models. Up front is new double-wishbone suspension with twin-tube shocks, while at the rear is a coil-sprung multi-link solid axle design.
In a boon for off-roaders, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser comes standard with a driver-selectable locking rear differential. Outside of the $141,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, I can’t think of any other new vehicle on sale today that doesn’t make you pay extra (or choose a higher-than-base trim) for the rear locker. Beyond that, Toyota’s Crawl Control — a low-speed off-road cruise control — comes standard as well.
Stepping up to the Land Cruiser (non-1958) trim adds a disconnecting front stabilizer bar first introduced on the new Tacoma, Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select terrain management system (this is the first time MTS has been offered separately from Crawl Control), a surround-view camera system, larger tires, and (perhaps gimmicky) Rigid-branded color-selectable LED fog lights.
Overall length comes in at 193.7 inches. The wheelbase measures 112.2 inches, which is the same as the 300 Series, which Toyota was quick to point out also happens to be the same as the 80 Series. Approach, departure, and breakover angles come in at 31.0, 25.0, and 22.0 degrees, respectively, numbers that are identical to the outgoing, never-sold-in-North-America Land Cruiser Prado. For the sake of comparison, the 200 Series came in at 34.0, 24.0, and 21.0 degrees.
Hybrid Turbocharged Power
Under the hood of every new Land Cruiser is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is the same hybrid powertrain that will be optional in the new Tacoma. Output is a healthy 326 combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy will be announced at a later date.
[UPDATE: Toyota’s website estimates 27 MPG combined!:
That seems… high. We’ve reached out to Toyota for confirmation. -DT].
While this mill should be more efficient than truck engines of yesteryear, don’t expect Prius or RAV4 Hybrid degrees of efficiency. If economy for the new Sequoia and Tundra i-Force Max hybrid models is any indicator, this hybrid system is likely better at offering supplemental power than it is at minimizing fuel consumption.
Some may question the new Land Cruiser’s relatively complicated powertrain (the verdict is still out on this powertrain’s durability), but at least Toyota is offering it with a 2.4-kW inverter that will allow owners to tap into the on-board 1.87-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery for use as an auxiliary power source in the field.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser offers 6,000lbs of towing capacity and comes standard with a trailer hitch. Worth noting here: Unlike on the Defender, Wrangler, and Bronco with their rear rear-mounted spare tires, you shouldn’t need any kind of extender to use hitch-mounted accessories like a bike rack with the new Land Cruiser.
People May Actually Be Able To Afford This One
Unlike the old 200 Series, which at the time of its discontinuation had an MSRP just shy of $90,000, the new Land Cruiser will start at around $55,000, according to Toyota. Given the simplicity of the trim level hierarchy, expect a fully-loaded example to fall in the mid-high $60,000 range, though this is just speculation at this point. Again, as this new model isn’t a direct descendant of the old 200 Series — you aren’t likely to see these outfitted to handle IEDs — but the lower price point seems appropriate. Great, even.
What the New Land Cruiser Actually Is
Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page on what this vehicle is. There are three different product lines within the global Toyota Land Cruiser family. The one we’re most familiar with here in the U.S. is the full-size “wagon” model, the current generation of which is known as the 300 Series:
(The previous generation of the full-size model, the 200 Series, was the last Land Cruiser to be sold in the United States. My 2008 model is shown below, but they continued on until 2021):
Also still for sale the 70 Series, a primitive but durable-as-all-hell workhorse that’s been sold largely unchanged for decades and in a number of different fun bodystyle configurations:
Then finally, there’s the Land Cruiser Prado. Call it the Land Cruiser Lite if you will, but suffice to say it’s a smaller, lower-priced, consumer-grade model similar in function to the 4Runner. You aren’t likely to see Prado models used by intergovernmental organizations like you do the full-size Land Cruiser and 70 Series:
While the two previous generations of the Prado have been sold North America as the Lexus GX, the vehicle has never actually been sold here as a Toyota. That is, until now.
With a new TNGA-F-based Land Cruiser Prado on the way for the global market, the Toyota mothership has chosen to sell the vehicle here both as the new third-generation Lexus GX and, for the first time, as a Toyota. And without a 300 Series here to confuse people (the 300 Series will only be sold in other markets), Toyota has chosen to drop the “Prado” suffix and market what is known internationally as the Land Cruiser Prado simply as the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser (no Prado). Add some heritage-inspired styling and shoot a bunch of reveal photos in the rod rock deserts of Southern Utah and boom — Toyota has what looks to be a money-printing hit on its hands.
As someone who both owns a 200 Series and has spent time working in the product planning department as an OEM, I’m a little unsettled by this choice to sell the “lightweight” Land Cruiser here as if it’s the real thing. Because by definition, the Land Cruiser Prado isn’t built for the same use case as the full-size Land Cruiser. It may be reliable, but it probably isn’t as reliable as the big boy, given that the big boy is designed to handle insane abuse, because that’s what it’s used for. [Editor’s Note: The “real thing” 300 Series is built on the same TNGA-F platform as the GX and this new Land Cruiser (known as the Prado elsewhere), so maybe this thing will be as tough as the “real deal”? We just don’t know. -DT].
Marketing frustrations aside, whatever you want to call this new body-on-frame Toyota SUV, it looks like the perfect 4×4 SUV for a whole lot of people and at a price point they can afford.
What Happens To The 4Runner?
I ask this question because it’s kind of a mystery that every Toyota SUV fan is wondering about. In fact, Land Cruiser diehard and off-road expert Patrick Rich wants me to add this note:
Toyota sold nearly 10 4Runners for every Land Cruiser sold over the last generation, so I sure hope they know what they are doing stepping so heavily on the 4Runners toes. This is basically the 4Runner, but…not.
Despite it coming in at a higher price point than a traditional 4Runner, there’s still a lot of functional overlap between this new “Land Cruiser” and the 4Runner model. Rumor has it that the next 4Runner has been delayed until 2026 or so. Regardless, the sixth-gen 4Runner has to somehow differentiate itself from the new Land Cruiser here. My money is on the next 4Runner gaining some degree of configurability, perhaps a removable roof, which would harken back to the original 4Runner. It could be a Jeep Wrangler competitor, with the new Land Cruiser here acting as a more refined, grand tourer of sorts, a la Grand Cherokee.
The Verdict
Is it a Land Cruiser in name only? If you ask me, yeah. Though I am skeptical in some ways about whether I should look at this new Land Cruiser as a “Land Cruiser Lite,” as most people look at the Prado, which this vehicle will be named in other markets. We don’t know exactly where Toyota pulled cost to get this new Land Cruiser’s MSRP so low; as long as it’s not in areas that affect durability/longevity, I’m happy.
The new Land Cruiser looks like a well-equipped, do-everything, smaller adventure rig that should still perform well in rough terrain, all while offering above-average reliability and holding its value pretty well, even if it isn’t as rare or unique or special as the full-size model we’re used to. Will I sell my 200 Series to buy one? No. But am I currently doing the math in my head to figure out how I can afford to park one next to my 200 Series? Yeah, I am.
It doesn’t matter what they call it, it’s still an expensive (60 grand is not affordable, what are y’all smoking???) SUV jumping on a retro bandwagon that’s already full, with mediocre features and unimpressive gas mileage, that dealers will mark up to 90 grand anyway so the lower price does not matter in the slightest. With the hybrid drivetrain and today’s manufacturing, it’s not like you’re guaranteed Land Cruiser reliability anyway, so why not just get a Bronco and have something better looking, better performing, and with better customization options and a manual transmission?
Wake me up when cars are actually affordable again, there are no interesting new cars anymore. It’s hard to care about any of this when it’s entirely unattainable without taking on massive debt.
Welcome to the new world where 40-60k is the new average car price. It’s not a nice place.
You’re gonna be sleeping a long time. Can I have your stuff?
Well this thing has an absurd level of off road ability that you have to pay for. There are normal cars on the market for less than 35K, they just aren’t Land Cruisers or Broncos.
Those planks on the hood are *terrible*.From the side it’s nice enough.
Capabilities?I’m curious how that turns out. It’s hard to imagine such a price drop having no effect.
Or maybe the old one was always overpriced?
Old one was definitely overpriced, but it was also significantly larger than this, if this is 4Runner sized, the old one was more sequoia, and obviously the sequoia is and always has been more expensive than a 4Runner
The article stared that the wheelbase is exactly the same (at 112″ and thr overall length is w/in 1 in” of the 200 series land cruiser, which was the “big boy” that was last sold in the US market in 2021. So this is going to be nearly (w/in 1″) the same size of the last “big boy” LC the US market received
At first, price felt pretty high to me. Out of curiosity, I went and specced out a new Bronco Black Diamond, which I feel is pretty equivalent to the base spec LC. (Rear Locker Only, 32″ tires, somewhat base interior)
Bronco came in at 50k, so depending on how nice this new LC is inside, the price isn’t too crazy. I just need to wrap my head around how expensive cars are now.
It’s ok. I was really hoping I’d love it but it just doesn’t grab me, but that’s probably why I’m not their demographic who will eat this up like rabid raccoons.
At MSRP its nothing short of a bargain. But you’ll never, ever be able to buy one for MSRP+tax.
Cars are back down to MSRP in most of the country. Toyota dealers tend to be fine with selling stuff at MSRP near me at least.
Part of me wants to say, “Ooh MSRP, what a deal!” But then I remember that these days, yeah, it is a deal. And another piece of me dies.
Also did no one see the FJ teaser in the release? https://www.youtube.com/live/LwosZEZM9Xg?feature=share @18:43
Sneaky, sneaky… I’m thinking the 4Runner is coming in 2 and 4 doors with a removable top. I’m wondering if Toyota scrapped the design after the Bronco release and realized the market would pay tons of money for a 4 and 2 door convertible released in NA and Australia.
LOL please don’t bet on those features with anyone. This is TOYOTA boy.
Sorry, what’s the teaser? Watching on a phone and only saw some FJs hanging out in the fleet of cars in the background. More just that an FJ being shown implies they’re working on a new one? Or was a concept shown?
At that time, there is a silhouette of an SUV on the left. It looks like the compact cruiser concept, but that did not have a spare tire on the tailgate, and this one does. More hinting to a new FJ cruiser, or a smaller off road focused suv.
this model actually gives me big FJ vibes, it could be a nod to the past.
Oof, this dude is not made to be a speaker.
Well, as the owner of a 20 year old GX, the new GX wasn’t very appealing to me as a replacement for my current GX. However, I have to say this new Land Cruiser Lite actually is appealing to me, as the Toyota design is a lot more cohesive than the Lexus design. Granted, I have a 20 year old GX because I’m too cheap to buy a new one, so my opinion is really moot.
“…this will be the first Land Cruiser-branded vehicle to be sold new in the U.S. that can be had with neither leather seats nor a sunroof since a handful of “poverty pack” 100 Series models…”
Does this mean what I think it does? I can get a base of base Land Cruiser with cloth upholstery? I desperately want to confirm this and what the nature of that upholstery is. On one hand, I’m hearted by that and simultaneously disheartened by the base drivetrain. I still don’t trust turbocharged 4 cylinders to possess adequate longevity in applications like this. The trade off for that, and loss of the iconic tailgate is a lower MSRP…which will only leave more room for dealers to screw their customers with ADMs, unless you believe Toyota will somehow rein them in…Which I don’t. At this point in the automotive market, MSRP, announced or confirmed, means diddly squat. It reminds me Whose Line, where they famously said “where the rules are made up and the points don’t matter.” That’s where we are, unfortunately.
The 1958 edition does indeed have fabric seats. Some of the other outlets have pics of the seats, dark gray/black fabric that looks to be a simple woven material but not like the wetsuit material so common nowadays, if that makes sense.
That is wonderful news, at least. I’ll have to do some Google image searching…
I’ll basically think of this as the FJ Cruiser successor, and continue to mourn the 300 Series that we didn’t get.
I think you nailed it with that. It screams FJ remake to me. I am happy happy compared to what they could have done. This is a car that I would put in my driveway.
The FJ was just a retro bodied Prado anyway, so makes sense!
Wasn’t the FJ just a shortened 4Runner, which is then based on the Prado 150?
The old LC was right with the E-class wagon in “stealth wealth” mobiles. I can’t tell if this moves below that market or will retain it by default.
There was a house we strolled past in New Orleans that had both in the driveway. I pointed it out to my wife for a well deserved eyeroll.
Weirdest timeline.
Toyota pulls the fullsize Land Cruiser from the US market except for the Lexus LX, but offers the midsize Prado under 2 different badges, plus the 4runner (which is a 150-series Prado derivative itself).
Plus there’s the Sequoia.
I would’ve expected them to sell the 300-series instead, with a wider variety of trims.
Bigger, fits the US market better, tows more, competes with other full-size SUVs.
Toyota’s website says it will get “a manufacturer-estimated 27 combined mpg rating.”
You have to click the word “Performance” (next to “Capability”) at the bottom of the Land Cruiser page – right above the last couple of photos.
That’s rather impressive, that’s the same as Hybrid Max Grand Highlander is estimated to be. I would have thought the LC would get less between the hardware for off-roading and related design differences. But then, probably a wash as the Grand Highlander has a third row and the necessary safety equipment for that, and weighs almost 5,000 lbs on its own with that powertrain too.
Hey, it’s mountainwestcarspotter! Is this a one off, or are you a regular contributor now?
Regardless, your Instagram story car reviews are always 10/10 and it makes perfect sense to see you covering the LC reveal
Hey! I’ve been a big fan of both David and Jason for years, so I was really excited to get to do this for the Autopian, of all sites. I’d love to make appearances here and there, if they’ll have me back.
I drive a 2.8L Turbo-Diesel Prado as my work vehicle. It’s decently capable for what I do, only real complaint is that the 2.8L and auto is slower 0-100km/h (nearly 18 seconds!) than a Subaru Brumby/BRAT.
It may turn out to be a blessing in disguise that you’re not getting the 300 Series, were sales of the late 200s all that great before the end?
A big price drop will hopefully get more sold in the US which will give more incentive for aftermarket suppliers to develop parts.
No doubt the new GX will have a big price jump then, it starts around $60k now.
Seeing it reported that due to the hybrid battery, it will be 5-passenger only here which is a break from past Land Cruisers too, which surprised me a bit even if it wasn’t a capacious seat. Other global press photos show a third row folded but then we know there are other engines elsewhere too. I imagine the hybrid GX that has yet to be announced will also lose the third row then.
Worth noting that the “Land Cruiser” sold by Toyota UK has been the J150 Prado platform for some years now.
So passing off the Prado as being THE Land Cruiser has precedent.
It’s a tuff Toyota Truck that will last a long time with no problems 🙂
I’m not enough of a Toyota fanboy to be able to understand why this either is or isn’t worthy of the name, but it sure seems like a decent enough package on paper. I like the boxy styling quite a bit, I like that the standard powertrain is a hybrid, and I’m clearly losing my goddamn mind because $55,000 almost sounds reasonable in 2023.
It’s also a mighty enticing enthusiast option for a family hauler. A base one of these will cost about the same as a loaded Pilot, Palisade/Telluride, etc…I think it would give you some additional fun that’s well within the “sellable to your partner” confines.
I drive a telluride (well the wife does) and I agree, I would have bought this 10 out of 10 times instead. Toyota just had nothing close when we bought a few years ago.
This is the exact situation I think I’ll find myself in in a couple of years. I’m excited that this will be around when we eventually go shopping.
Love it. Love the boxiness. Love the capability with the locker. Am I at all going to buy this? No. But it does look like a worthy successor to the name. What’s that you say? normal liftgate? Never the heck mind. I’m out. If I was considering this, I would gladly pay another 3 to 5 grand for a classic split tailgate.
And dealer markups will get that price right back up to 90 grand.
The Prado is actually used by the UN and other diplomatic/humanitarian organizations a lot, especially by senior staff, etc.
Toyota Gibraltar has 3 different configurations available in the 150 series for this base fleet market.
https://www.toyota-gib.com/eng/models/dual-purpose-type/land-cruiser-prado/land-cruiser-prado-tx-30l-diesel-7-seater-LJ150-GKMEE.html
I’m mad that I let myself have hope that Toyota would sell an actual Land Cruiser in the US.
If I was stuck in the desert and the only way I’d get to the nearest water in time was in one of these that was conveniently next to me I’d rather set it on fire, walk as far as I could, piss out blood and kidney stones, and die.
Why? Bc of what we *don’t* get in comparison?
No manual, and not even a proper hybrid drivetrain with a planetary e-CVT. Hybrids with automatic transmissions and turbochargers get a very slight MPG boost over a non hybrid model in exchange for more things to go wrong, more weight, generally less interior space, etc.
this vehicle is less capable off road than a current gen 4 Runner FFS.
All of these are 25 to 50% more capable than a current gen 4Runner by default because they come with a rear locker standard.
The new GX will be perfect for my wife (not her needs.. she’ll just love it). Now I just have to be able to afford it.
And it will probably be less capable than the next Gen 4Runner. Smaller vehicles when properly equipped are naturally better off road than larger ones. The Land Cruiser doesn’t defy physics.
People don’t buy Land Cruisers because they are the single most off road capable vehicles out there- they are not. They buy them for the mix of off road capability, practicality, and especially for reputation for long term reliability/durability.
I think I need another Land Cruiser. Standard locker and the two tone paint? Non painted body panels? 55k might seem like a fair amount, (and it is,) but considering the bottom trim has all the options I want, I think I’ll go ahead and tell them to take my money
Reading is hard, help me out… so the new GX is both simultaneously the same as this new “lite” TLC (read: not as good as the old better one), but also is built on the “real deal” 300 platform (read: possibly as good as the old better one)? I am le confused…
Toyota is moving all their trucks and truck based suvs to the same platform, TNGA F, with varying wheelbases and powertrain options. The new GX and this new Landcruiser are the same but the GX has an optional V6 and is more luxury focused. I’m not enough of a Landcruiser fan to understand, much less explain, how it’s worse than the “real deal”.
Right I get that, the piece just seemed to say it’s not as good bc it’s “lite” but it’s also maybe as good as the old 300…
The lack of a split tailgate is sad. It’s such a great feature.
I have to wonder why, most the great trunk options have disappeared. Is it crash test? is it cost? what is the reason….
I think flip-up liftglass has largely disappeared from vehicles in part for crash safety – easy thing to seal up structurally rather than design around an open hole in the back – but also its purpose is semi replaced by the power liftgate. The opening glass was touted as handy for throwing in small items without needing to lift the whole heavy hatch, but with a power gate it’s not on the user to open/close it.
Prados long had swing out rear doors with outside-mount rear spares, so I don’t think that is missed, but other brands like BMW still have split tailgates even with power function on both portions, if it’s a “user convenience” thing. And even Toyota is offering power close to the 2024 Tacoma tailgate so doubt it’s just that.