The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, famous for its off-road capability and long-lasting reliability, returns to North America for the 2024 model year. After a three-year absence, the Land Cruiser is back, appealing to truck enthusiasts who crave adventure and want a vehicle that can take them far and bring them back safely.
As an enthusiast who’s owned multiple Land Cruisers—my first was a 1989 FJ62 and I currently drive a 1999 100-series—attending the 2024 Land Cruiser launch was a highlight. The new model impressed me with its specifications, design, and overall character. It feels unmistakably like a Land Cruiser the moment you sit inside.
Interior details carry familiar Land Cruiser cues that deliver comfort and a sense of continuity. Small elements like window switches, door handles, and the steering wheel provide a reassuring, familiar fit for owners of 80, 100, or 200 series trucks.
This model isn’t simply a continuation of recent U.S. Land Cruisers; it’s a deliberate return to the brand’s earlier, more utilitarian roots. Globally known as the Land Cruiser Prado, this architecture is celebrated for its rugged off-road capability—exactly what many fans wanted to see return.
Priced at roughly half that of recent Land Cruiser models, the 2024 version revives the boxy silhouette reminiscent of the FJ60/62 era. Rather than a V8 or V6, it uses a spirited turbocharged four-cylinder that will satisfy most buyers while improving fuel efficiency.
A Heritage-Inspired Design
Since the Land Cruiser’s U.S. debut in 1958, the model family has evolved through numerous iconic iterations—from the simple two-door 40 Series to the fully equipped 200 Series. The 2024 Land Cruiser honors that lineage while refocusing on being a high-quality, purpose-built off-roader at a more attainable price point. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform, it features improved chassis rigidity and slightly reduced overall dimensions, making it nimbler on trails without sacrificing durability.
Powertrain and Performance
The 2024 Land Cruiser is powered by Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. The hybrid system produces a combined 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, blending efficiency with robust low-end torque that’s ideal for towing and technical off-roading. This setup gives the Land Cruiser strong on- and off-road performance while helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared with larger engines.
Off-Road Tech and Features
The Land Cruiser’s off-road technology is comprehensive. A front stabilizer bar disconnect can be engaged at the push of a button to increase wheel articulation for rough terrain. The vehicle comes standard with full-time four-wheel drive, a center locking differential, and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high and low ranges. Multi-Terrain Select and CRAWL Control help manage traction and speed on loose or uneven surfaces, making technical driving more predictable.
For serious off-roaders, an electronic locking rear differential is standard, enabling a near-equal split of torque between rear wheels to improve traction when conditions demand it.
Exclusivity of the First Edition Grade
For North American buyers, Toyota will offer a First Edition grade limited to 5,000 units. This trim adds heritage-style round LED headlamps, a roof rack, rock rails, and unique interior touches that emphasize the Land Cruiser’s classic aesthetic while providing practical protection and utility for off-road use.
Connected and Customizable
Interior technology varies by trim. The Land Cruiser 1958 model features black fabric seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen running Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims upgrade to a 12.3-inch multimedia display and offer an available 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. Toyota also supports personalization with more than 100 Genuine Accessories and Associated Accessory Products, such as off-road recovery equipment and cargo carriers, allowing owners to tailor the vehicle to their adventures.
Enhanced Safety with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
Safety remains a priority with the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. The package brings a suite of active safety and driver-assist features: 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, and Proactive Driving Assist. These technologies improve detection accuracy and help create a safer, more intuitive driving experience both on and off the pavement.
Beyond Zero Vision
Aligned with Toyota’s carbon-reduction goals, the 2024 Land Cruiser carries the Beyond Zero badge, reflecting its hybrid powertrain. As part of Toyota’s electrified lineup, the Land Cruiser offers buyers the chance to enjoy capable off-road performance while reducing their environmental impact compared with traditional gasoline-only large-displacement engines.
What’s Missing?
Some longtime Land Cruiser features have been removed. The rear split tailgate, a distinctive and useful element for loading, creating a platform, or standing on, is no longer part of the design. The rear hatch still opens, but owners lose the classic, flat split tailgate surface.
Also, the new Land Cruiser is configured as a five-seater with no third-row option. That choice differentiates it from larger three-row Toyota models such as the Sequoia and GX550. Families needing more seating will likely look elsewhere; a third row would be cramped in this more compact, trail-focused package.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in spring 2024 with pricing starting in the mid-$50,000 range. How it will be positioned relative to the new 4Runner remains to be seen, but both launches mark a notable moment for Toyota’s SUV lineup.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Photos
