The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser arrives with a wave of nostalgia and a hefty legacy to uphold. As Toyota’s flagship SUV in the US for many years, the Land Cruiser has been synonymous with durability and off-road prowess. However, this new iteration takes a different path, aiming for a broader audience with a more accessible approach. While the retro-inspired exterior certainly turns heads, a deeper dive reveals a Land Cruiser that might leave some enthusiasts wanting more.
A Departure from Tradition
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the previous generation Land Cruiser, while legendary for its toughness, was undeniably overpriced and outdated. Its hefty price tag approaching $90,000 bought you a vehicle with an interior that felt akin to a Toyota 4Runner – capable but far from luxurious for the money. In that context, the 2024 Land Cruiser has a low bar to clear in terms of improvement, and on paper, it does just that.
This new Land Cruiser, however, marks a significant shift. It’s no longer the behemoth of yesteryear, but rather based on the Land Cruiser Prado platform, which shares its roots with the smaller 4Runner. This downsizing translates to a more manageable footprint, and under the hood, the venerable V8 is replaced by a modern turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid assistance. Combine this with neo-vintage styling, and you have the recipe for the 2024 Land Cruiser. Visually, it’s a home run. The retro design is undeniably appealing, drawing attention and positive reactions wherever it goes.
Hybrid Powertrain: Economy Fail?
Beneath the attractive sheet metal lies a hybrid powertrain that promises efficiency, but in real-world driving, it falls short. Despite the industry trend towards downsizing and hybrid technology, the Land Cruiser’s turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid struggled to impress in fuel economy. During a week of varied driving conditions, the average fuel consumption hovered under 18 MPG. This is particularly disappointing when the window sticker boasts a combined 25 MPG – a figure that proved to be wildly optimistic. To put this into perspective, a recent test of the larger Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a significantly more powerful twin-turbo V6 hybrid, yielded the exact same fuel economy. The supposed benefit of the smaller, hybrid engine in the Land Cruiser simply doesn’t materialize in terms of MPG.
Performance-wise, the 326 combined horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque figures suggest ample power, but the Land Cruiser never feels genuinely quick. A 0-60 MPH time of 7.5 seconds is adequate, but the “i-FORCE MAX” badge raises expectations that aren’t quite met. While the engine is generally refined compared to older Toyota four-cylinders, the hybrid system is marred by its poor fuel efficiency and noticeable noise at idle, with clicks and clacks that sound uncharacteristic of a new vehicle.
Interior Compromises and Ergonomic Quirks
Stepping inside, the Land Cruiser presents a mixed bag. The mid-range model tested features a reasonably pleasant Toyota interior, but it doesn’t quite justify its $70,000 price tag. While soft-touch materials and brown leather accents create an initial impression of quality, the seats are surprisingly flat and lack support for longer journeys. Furthermore, a number of cheap-feeling and awkwardly placed controls detract from the overall experience.
The air conditioning controls, for instance, exhibit noticeable creaking and flexing. The volume knob’s placement is particularly perplexing, positioned out of reach for the passenger and partially obscured by the steering wheel for the driver – an apparent afterthought in design. Gone is the bank-vault solidity of older Land Cruisers; the doors now close with a hollow, tinny sound, indicative of cost-cutting measures. The hybrid battery placement also raises the cargo floor, reducing overall cargo volume. While road noise is well-suppressed, wind noise is prominent, especially from the large side mirrors, making driving with windows down at higher speeds uncomfortable.
Adding to the interior woes, the air conditioning system felt underpowered for a brand-new vehicle, struggling to cool the cabin even on moderately warm evenings. Similarly, the front seat warmers were virtually ineffective, barely producing any noticeable warmth even on their highest setting. These issues raise concerns about the overall quality and attention to detail in the new Land Cruiser.
Further criticisms extend to the gauge cluster, which is virtually invisible to passengers due to a privacy filter effect. The digital cluster itself is cluttered with excessive icons and convoluted menus, typical of modern Toyotas. Adjusting safety settings, for example, requires navigating these menus rather than using the main infotainment screen. The test vehicle also suffered from a malfunctioning automatic day/night mode for the main display, leaving the screen stuck in bright white mode at night, a distracting oversight.
On-Road Manners: A Bright Spot
Surprisingly, the driving experience on paved roads is a redeeming quality of the 2024 Land Cruiser. The steering is precise and makes maneuvering the boxy SUV easy, while handling is surprisingly competent for its class. It exhibits a degree of balance in corners that surpasses previous 4Runners and Land Cruisers, although tire grip remains limited. Ride quality is also commendable, striking a good balance between comfort and control across various road surfaces, avoiding the overly stiff ride often found in Toyota trucks and SUVs.
Off-Road Prowess Questioned
While the Land Cruiser boasts an array of off-road technology and drive modes, its ground clearance of just 8.7 inches raises concerns about its true off-road capability. This is less than the current 4Runner and even falls short of the Tacoma TRD Off-Road pickup. It’s barely an inch more than a Highlander, a family-oriented crossover. Without modifications like a lift kit and larger tires, the Land Cruiser’s off-road potential is limited by its modest ground clearance. In practical off-roading scenarios, this deficiency could lead to scraping and bottoming out on obstacles that other, more dedicated off-road vehicles would clear with ease.
For a vehicle marketed to the overlanding community and touted as a return to its off-road roots, the limited ground clearance is a significant drawback. While electronic aids and suspension articulation are valuable, they cannot compensate for a lack of clearance. Enthusiasts seeking serious off-road performance might find better value and capability in a 4Runner TRD Pro for less money. The Land Cruiser will undoubtedly perform adequately off-road, but it’s unlikely to surpass less expensive SUVs in challenging terrain, despite its advanced technology.
More Style Than Substance?
Ultimately, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is a vehicle that prioritizes style over substance. Its striking retro design is undeniably appealing, and it draws attention and compliments. However, the underwhelming hybrid powertrain, compromised interior, and questionable off-road ground clearance leave much to be desired, especially at its price point. It comes across as more of a fashion statement than a truly capable and well-rounded SUV. While this may appeal to some buyers – much like the Mercedes G-Wagon’s popularity despite its limited off-road use by most owners – it’s a departure from the Land Cruiser’s heritage of rugged capability and value.
For those seeking a more authentic “Land Cruiser experience,” the Lexus GX 550 emerges as a compelling alternative. Sharing a similar design language but offering a more luxurious interior and a significantly better twin-turbo V6 engine, the GX 550 addresses many of the Land Cruiser’s shortcomings. And surprisingly, comparable trims are only marginally more expensive, making the Lexus GX 550 a significantly more appealing proposition for most buyers.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
As-tested price: $70,029
Pros: Striking retro exterior, Capable on-road handling, Electronic off-road aids
Cons: Disappointing fuel economy, Expensive for what it offers, Limited ground clearance for serious off-roading, Interior quality and ergonomics could be better
Review and photos by Mitchell Weitzman and The Road Beat.
