2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958
The off-road SUV game these days is basically a nostalgia contest. Just take a look at all the Jeeps and Broncos running around and it becomes clear what’s driving the market. Toyota gets it, which is why the Land Cruiser is back. Let’s be real, it was never going to disappear for long. But riding the retro wave right now is a smart move, because pitted against the mighty Lexus GX, nostalgia is pretty much its biggest selling point.
Now, that might be a bold statement to make right out of the gate. To be fair, the new Land Cruiser isn’t a bad SUV. But if you’re buying one based on how it makes you feel, hoping it will stir the same mix of emotion and excitement like the old model so successfully did, then you might be disappointed. Especially when my tester came in at nearly the same price as the Lexus GX, which is across the board a more polished, capable and luxurious option. So the question that begs answering is, at that price, why wouldn’t you just go for the Lexus?
Of course it’s not all bad news. At the very least, the new Land Cruiser has a look all its own. And it even gives you options. Go for the entry-level 1958 trim if you like round headlights like me, or step up to the higher trims for the rectangular shape. The two-tone paint with a white roof is a nice, retro touch. I love the boxy design, especially from the rear three-quarter view, but it could use a little more height and a beefier tire setup to really stand out. Luckily, there will be plenty of after-market options to help out, and likely the first thing most Land Cruiser owners will throw extra money at.
On the inside, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. A digital gauge cluster comes standard across the board. The base 1958 trim gets an 8-inch infotainment screen, anything above that bumps it up to a 12.3-inch display. Sound-wise, the lower trims come with a basic six-speaker setup, but if you’re willing to shell out $4,600 for the Premium Package, you get a 14-speaker JBL system (plus some other goodies). Not everyone needs that, though. Space-wise, four adults fit comfortably, and if you swap a couple out for kids, you can seat up to five. Just dont go looking for a third row, even though Toyota oddly put cupholders and USB-C ports back there.
Slide into the Land Cruisers seat, shut the door, and right away, you can tell it’s not the tank the old 200 Series was. The same weight, feel and reassuring thunk when you shut the door is absent. While the switchgear looks more refined than before, it doesn’t exactly feel it. Honestly, that sums up most of this SUV: it looks the part, but it’s just a notch below what the Land Cruiser name has always stood for. The embodiment of tough and sturdy. Many things could even be described as a little cheap.
As for performance, here also the Toyota Land Cruiser leaves you searching for more. Take the hybrid drivetrain, for example. With all that torque, you’d expect at least a little excitement, but nope. It’s not that the electrified 2.4-liter turbo is a snooze fest either. The hybrid setup just lacks the raw power and brisk acceleration we would like to see. The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has the same setup, and is much more engaging to drive. But in the Land Cruiser, everything feels a little too softened up, like they deliberately tuned out the fun stuff just to make sure the 4Runner still has a reason to exist.
So it might be a little dull in the day to day, but this is a Land Cruiser, so the biggest test of its talents is how it does off-road. With features like a push-button sway bar disconnect, crawl control, multi-terrain select for wheel spin sensing under various conditions and more, the hardware and software is certainly all there. You can even see what’s happening all around you thanks to the 360-view camera system. All of these advanced, off-roading systems help the Land Cruiser shine much more brightly off the road than on it. As should be the case.
It isn’t all rave reviews though, and there’s still criticism to be made. For starters, the Land Cruiser only has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is less that the GX’s already low number. Minimal overhangs are better, giving it a max approach angle of 31 degrees compared to the Lexus’ 26 degrees. That will help it climb steeper inclines, but be careful not to rub your belly as you crest. In low-speed, technical situations, the Land Cruiser is undeniably good. It just needs more height and beefier tires. Aftermarket options jump to mind yet again.
While not as awe-inspiring as the former 200 Series, the new Toyota Land Cruiser looks the part and performs admirably off-road. Traction is limitless with the full-time 4WD and locking rear differential. Torque is adequate for the job as well, even if you never really feel it. While you shouldn’t have to make a bunch of upgrades to tackle most trails, inevitably, that’s what plenty of owners will eventually do, which sadly, shouldn’t be required so quickly with a Land Cruiser.
Starting MSRP: $55,950.00
