2024 Toyota Land Cruiser First Drive Review: Off-Road Cheat Code

The Land Cruiser needs no introduction. It’s been one of Toyota’s preeminent badges for seven decades, worn by its most capable off-roaders around the globe. And, yet, the latest 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser warrants a reintroduction because the SUV took a brief hiatus from the U.S. market in 2021 only to return this year in the wake of the massive popularity of the off-road segment.

The Toyota SUV that returned is not the same as the one that left, and I don’t mean that metaphorically. This U.S.-spec Land Cruiser is the 250 series, known as the Land Cruiser Prado in nearly all markets abroad. The previous available model was the Land Cruiser 200 series, which was succeeded by the comparatively burlier 300 series. Toyota chose to bring the Land Cruiser 300 to the States only as the Lexus LX 600.

So, unless buyers move upmarket, the “true” (read: full-size) Land Cruiser remains unavailable in America. But after taking the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser off-road, I’m here to tell you there’s not much to fret about. Despite its smaller size, the new SUV earns its badge and then some: It’s a Land Cruiser, alright. One of the best yet.

Make no mistake; the Land Cruiser we’re getting is smaller, but it’s not small by any means. It’s officially a mid-size SUV, sitting below the Toyota Sequoia in terms of size and price. It’ll technically sit above the new 4Runner among Toyota’s stable despite both being classed as mid-size SUVs. The difference between the upcoming 4Runner and this Land Cruiser—besides price—will remain in their styling, comfort, and overall aims as vehicles. Toyota insists there won’t be much overlap in their sales, and I am cautiously inclined to agree; after all, a Land Cruiser buyer is not the same as that of a 4Runner.

According to Toyota, the latter is more interested in hardcore off-roading, while the former is looking for an all-rounder that still boasts great off-road capability along with reliability and durability. Hitting those three points was the reason Toyota chose to rerelease the Land Cruiser in the U.S., claiming a return to its roots.

Those traits also happen to be characteristics of the Lexus GX, a perennial fan favorite. The new Lexus GX 550 is essentially the same vehicle as this Land Cruiser albeit with an added emphasis on luxury. But the GX naturally starts at a higher price, making the Land Cruiser seem like a bargain. The LC also looks cooler, if you ask me. And all it took was Toyota going back to old-school Land Cruiser designs, which are clearly on display in this new model.

There’s no getting around the family resemblance of the new Land Cruiser to FJs of old. Whereas Toyota has taken big swings with cars like the GR Supra, which some critics deride for lacking the spirit of its predecessors, the new Land Cruiser is overflowing with it.

There will be three available trims at launch, from the base 1958 model to the simple but confusingly named Land Cruiser middle trim. The top-of-the-line model is called the First Edition, and it’s limited to 5,000 units for 2024. Toyota refused to disclose whether these are all sold out already, so it’s possible that you could get your hands on one but it won’t come cheap.

The Land Cruiser First Edition starts at $76,345 including destination, which is almost $20,000 over the price of a base model. Despite the dramatic difference in cost, 1958 and First Edition models share the same basic looks, both getting circular headlights inspired by old Cruisers. The middle trim has rectangular LED headlights that nod to the 60 series, specifically the FJ62. It’s hard to pick which looks better because both nail the retro look. You could say the 1958 is more retro, but two-tone paint is only available on upper trims and the white roof is a Land Cruiser staple.

The Land Cruiser First Edition adds more extensive underbody protection with skid plates for the engine and transmission, along with rock rails and a roof rack. The cabin gets a few “First Edition” logos and leather seats, as opposed to the leather-like “Softex” in the middle trim or cloth of the base model. Still, the price of the First Edition model seems high for what you’re getting.

The decision between trims could come down to the added interior and off-road tech of the middle and higher trims. There’s an upgraded 10-speaker JBL sound system in the middle trim, and the infotainment screen gets a big size bump to 12.3 inches versus the 8 inches in the base model. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard no matter the trim. The basics are all there in the 1958 model and the plush texture of its cloth seats is fantastic. It’s a true throwback right down to the interior.

The new Land Cruiser still handles like a body-on-frame behemoth, which is to be expected given that it rides on the TNGA-F global truck platform. This is the same one that underpins the Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, Land Cruiser 300, and the upcoming 4Runner. So, even though this new Cruiser is “just” a Prado, it shares much with the full-size Land Cruiser sold overseas.

Of course, it differs from the 300 Series in powertrain, with the U.S.-spec Land Cruiser powered by the i-Force Max Hybrid across all trims. It combines a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor in the bell housing of the eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination packs quite the punch, making 326 horsepower and max torque (465 lb-ft, to be precise) comes on early in the power band. Despite being a hybrid, it sounds pleasantly agricultural, which is to say it still sounds like a Land Cruiser out on the trail.

Toyota restricted our testing to off-road courses carved into the San Ysidro Mountains outside of San Diego, so I won’t comment on the Land Cruiser’s highway handling. Courses were split into high- and low-speed trials, though you likely won’t go too fast in the new Land Cruiser while four wheelin'. The LC is big, and you’ll feel every bit of its mass as you tackle trails. But that only makes this Cruiser’s abilities all the more impressive. The new Land Cruiser is so adept at going off-road that it feels like cheating.