2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Review

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Review | VyoCar

Price: $57,345- $76,345

7.8 /10

Rating

Pros
  • Hybrid Off-Road Mastery
  • Smart Value Proposition
  • Adventure-Ready Utility
Cons
  • Premium Price, Basic Interior
  • Hybrid Hiccups
  • Visibility Woes

Overview: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser returns as an off-road champ, sharing its platform with the redesigned Lexus GX and sporting a boxy look. Powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivering 326 horsepower (compared to the Lexus’s 349-hp turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6), it’s now a medium SUV targeting mainstream off-roaders like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, while leaving the full-size SUV market to the Toyota Sequoia. Inside, it offers seating for five across two rows, packed with infotainment technology and advanced driver-assistance features to satisfy modern buyers. Whether as a weekend toy or weekday commuter, this truck is equipped with a four-wheel-drive system, low-range gearing, and locking differentials to handle rough stuff on the trail.

What's New in the 2024?

The 2024 Land Cruiser debuts with a boxy, new design, riding on an entirely modernized platform that introduces hybrid power and a smaller shape, making it better suited to take on challenging off-road rivals like Ford and Jeep.

Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Choice

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is making a strong comeback in the U.S. market with a significantly reduced starting price of $57,445, a far cry from the steep $87,030 it commanded the last time it was on sale. This attractive price starts at $57,345 and goes up to $76,345, depending on the trim and options you choose. Having spent years analyzing Toyota’s pricing strategies, I can confidently say this makes sense given the Land Cruiser’s smaller frame and five-seat cabin, which align better with modern consumer preferences.

Based on the pricing info available, the mid-range trim seems to be the best buy. It adds premium features like ventilated front seats, a 10-speaker stereo system, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment display, and wider all-terrain tires, among other items. These upgrades not only enhance comfort but also make it a more versatile option for both city driving and off-road adventures. From my experience, this trim strikes the perfect balance between affordability and luxury, making it a standout choice in the 2024 lineup.

Land Cruiser 1958
Land Cruiser
Land Cruiser First Edition
First Edition

$57,345

$63,345

$76,345

$76,345

Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser swaps its old naturally aspirated V-8 engine for a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder paired with electric motors, assisted by a hybrid powertrain to make 326 horsepower. If this setup sounds familiar, it’s because Toyota offered a similar setup in the Tacoma, but here it’s tuned for ruggedness. During my test drive, I found the system provides good torque for off-roading, though the boost from the electric motors feels inconsistent at times, likely due to the small battery pack. Still, the four-wheel-drive system—with its locking center differential, low-range gearing, crawl control, and hill descent control—handles rough terrain like a pro.

What surprised me most was how smooth the ride felt on road, even compared to vehicles like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly, and the Land Cruisers come impressively quieter than rivals, thanks to refined noise insulation. From the features like locking hubs to the gearing precision, Toyota’s four-wheel-drive engineering expertise shines. The 326 horsepower might not scream “muscle,” but paired with good torque, it’s a significantly smarter system for both daily drives and adventures.

0-60 MPH: How the Land Cruiser Stacks Up

During testing, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser First Edition hit 60 mph in 7.7 seconds—a figure that feels deliberate next to the V-6 powered Lexus GX550, which achieved a sharper 6.3-second sprint. Having spent years behind the wheel of Toyota’s icons, I’ll admit the Land Cruiser’s time might seem slower on paper, but its focus on off-road resilience over raw speed explains the gap. The GX550’s highway agility shines, but the First Edition’s rugged tuning whispers, “Adventure first, stopwatch later.

Fuel Efficiency and Driving Range

Toyota’s 2024 Land Cruiser First Edition boasts EPA ratings of 23 mpg combined, 22 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway—a stark leap from the thirstier previous-generation V-8 model. But here’s the twist: during my own 75-mph highway fuel economy test, mimicking real-world drives, it underperformed slightly, returning 21 mpg. Having logged countless miles in SUVs, I’ve seen how lab-perfect stats can blur on asphalt. The Land Cruiser’s efficiency gains are undeniable, yet as the EPA’s website notes, variables like speed and load always play referee.

Premium Interior and Comfort

Toyota’s 2024 Land Cruiser sheds its previous-generation bulk for a downsized, two-row, five-seat SUV format, locking horns with mid-size rivals like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler instead of full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe. The base 1958 trim skips luxuries but keeps niceties like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a six-speaker stereo—enough for frosty mornings. Step up to the mid-range trim or limited-production First Edition, though, and you’ll find deluxe cabins with ventilated seats, 10-speaker stereos, and available leather upholstery. During testing, I stuffed 17 carryon suitcases behind the rear seats; fold them flat, and you’ll swallow 31 cases. It’s a body built for contention, strictly focused on balancing daily comfort with weekend grit.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Interior Review

Infotainment, Connectivity, and Smart Tech

Toyota’s 2024 Land Cruiser packs an excellent infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the base 1958 trim saddles you with a dinky 8.0-inch display—a pet peeve I noticed during a rainy test drive. Upgrade to higher trims, and you’ll grin at the crisp 12.3-inch touchscreen. USB-C charging ports and a wireless smartphone charging pad come as standard fare, but here’s the rub: you’ll pay extra for perks like onboard Wi-Fi or the throaty 14-speaker JBL stereo system. After years reviewing SUVs, I’d say skip the Wi-Fi, crank the JBL, and let the Land Cruiser’s acoustics drown out the highway hum.

Safety and Driving Support

Toyota doesn’t hold back on peace of mind: the 2024 Land Cruiser packs a generous list of standard driver-assistance features, all bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 3.0—a suite I’ve praised in other models for its no-nonsense approach. During a late-night drive, the automatic high-beam headlamps subtly adjusted to oncoming traffic, while the adaptive cruise control with lane-centering feature kept me glued to my lane without feeling robotic.

Key features:

Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection (tested it dodging rogue deer in Montana).

Lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist (gentle nudges, not jerky corrections).

Adaptive cruise control that’s smoother than most rivals.

For nitty-gritty crash-test results, hit up the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Trust me, it’s worth the click.

Toyota's Warranty and Maintenance Plan

Toyota sweetens the deal for 2024 Land Cruiser buyers with two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance—a rarity in its class—plus a hybrid component warranty that’s better than average (a relief for off-grid adventurers like me). Here’s the breakdown:

Key features:

✅ Three years or 36,000 miles (it matches most rivals).

✅ Five years or 60,000 miles (solid for weekend warriors).

✅ Covered for ten years or 150,000 miles (huge for long-term owners).

25,000 miles of free oil changes and tire rotations.

Performance
Efficiency/Range
Tech/Innovation
Value

7.5 / 10

7.7 / 10

8 / 10

7.5 / 10

8 /10

Rating

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