Model tested: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD Wagon Hybrid
Engine: 2.4-liter turbocharged I-4, plus two electric motors
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, full-time four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 326
Torque: 465 lb.-ft.
EPA ratings (mpg): 22/city, 25/highway, 23/combined
Base price: $61,950
As tested: $71,534
Overview: Toyota Land Cruiser is a legendary name in the 4-by-4 SUV game. Land Cruisers have long been associated with ruggedness, dependability and the ability to conquer all types of challenging terrain and weather conditions. The Land Cruiser debuted in the United States in 1958 but was discontinued in 2021. Now, an all-new, somewhat smaller, five-passenger hybrid Land Cruiser is back, with notably improved fuel economy and far more luxury than the early models without compromising off-road athleticism.
Walkaround: The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is pleasantly styled — meaning it has enough rugged and functional elements with a very distinctive grille, headlights and front bumper combo, reasonable wheel flares and running boards, and 20-inch wheels to check the “macho” box without tipping into cartoon land. The Land Cruiser looks clean and purposeful with a city-friendly size that also makes it less likely to get stuck when venturing off the beaten paths. Our tester had the optional ($1,440) heavy-duty roof rack.
Interior: The Toyota Land Cruiser is a two-row, five-passenger SUV with good space for people and cargo. Space behind the second-row seats measures 38 cubic feet, which, along with the optional luggage rack, provides lots of room for errands and weekend fun gear. Seat comfort and support were excellent. Our midlevel trim Land Cruiser had the optional $4,600 Premium Package, which upped the luxury and convenience content, along with a 14-speaker JBL sound system. An excellent head-up display and driver-assist features such as lane-change assist were included in the Premium Package.
Behind the wheel: Like typical Land Cruiser owners, we spent most of our test time on paved roads, where the Toyota acquitted itself nicely. The four-cylinder engine with its electric motors boost handled onramps and lane changes easily. The highway ride was stable and smooth over irregularities. The Land Cruiser has lots of serious off-road features, such as standard center and rear locking differentials, low-range gearing, hill descent and crawl control. Parking spaces were snug but not impossible like many larger, three-row SUVs.
Bottom line: The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is all new and a welcome return to the United States for this SUV pioneer. The smaller, five-passenger size has increased affordability over the 2021 full-size Land Cruiser and that actually makes the new midsize package more off-roadable. Three trim levels are available, offering a customer-friendly range of base, mid and top level features and prices. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is a valid continuation and modernization of a legendary nameplate and not just a name-game ploy.
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