2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958: Review, Prices, and Specs

Text by Tom Appel

2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958

Specs

Class: Midsize Crossover

Country of manufacture: Japan

Seating capacity: 5

Color: Meteor Shower

Miles driven: 167

Observed fuel economy: 21.3 mpg

Driving mix: 35% city, 65% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 22/25/23 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas

Base price: $57,200 (not including $1495 (destination charge)

Options on test vehicle:  Rear bumper guard ($195), illuminated door sills ($395), rock rails ($990), front skid plates ($440), dash cam ($375), roof rack ($1440), cargo cover ($210), performance exhaust ($1395), connected-services trial ($485), cargo mat ($140), floor mats ($248)

Price as tested: $65,238

Audio-System Brand

N/A

Audio-System Quality

Poor  Fair  Good Very-Good  Excellent

Pros and Cons

The great: Roomy, comfortable, promise of serious off-road capability

The good: Fun to drive, easy on the gas

The not so good: Pricey options cut into value proposition

Review

When the Land Cruiser was redone for 2024, it became an entirely different vehicle. Though still designed with off-road capability as a resume headline, the new Cruiser is both lighter and less expensive than it had been.

Attitude

It has also become, in its new tidier and more-affordable guise, well, a bit cheeky, even impertinent. And, honestly, we appreciate the attitude. Now much closer in price to Toyota’s ever-popular 4Runner, it’s important to understand how the two midsize trucks fit in the brand’s lineup.

First let’s compare the new Land Cruser to the previous generation.

Versus Previous Generation Land Cruiser

Compared to the 2023 Land Cruiser, the new truck is:

• 10 inches shorter
• About an inch narrower
• Half a foot shorter, roof-to-ground
• Almost 800 pounds lighter
• Significantly more fuel efficient
• Around $25,000 less expensive

While the 2023 Land Cruiser was a close analog to the full-size Lexus LX 570 SUV, the new ‘Cruiser is midsize, and no longer aimed at a luxury-seeking audience. This moves the new Land Cruiser closer to the popular 4Runner in size and price. Here’s a look at how those two vehicles stack up against each other.

Versus 2026 Toyota 4Runner

Compared to the 2026 4Runner, the Land Cruiser is:

• About the same width and length
• Slightly higher
• Weighs about 400 pounds more
• Seats just five (the 4Runner offers available 5-passenger accommodations)
• Is price about $15,000 higher

Prices and Trim Levels

And while we would no longer describe the Land Cruiser as luxurious, its cabin is better trimmed than that of the 4Runner. For 2026, the Land Cruiser is offered in two trim levels:

• Land Cruiser 1958 ($59,195)
• Land Cruiser (65,270)

1958 Edition

The retro-themed 1958, which celebrates the LC’s introduction to the U.S. market, features round headlamps, and less standard equipment in order to keep the trim level’s base price under $60,000. All Land Cruiser’s come standard with full-time 4WD, which is optionally available on the 4Runner.

Engines

And while the 4Runner is offered with two powertrain options—a standard turbocharged four (278 horsepower) or Toyota’s “i-Force Max” hybridized 4-cylinder turbo  (326 horsepower). The Land Cruiser is offered only with the “Max” engine. All Land Cruisers come with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Test Car

Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 in Meteor Shower (color). All told, our test car came to $65,238. See above for a complete list of our test truck’s optional equipment.

Cabin

Inside, the current-generation Land Cruiser looks and feels more “common” than did the previous iteration with its Lexus-level cabin décor. That said, the 2026 Cruiser is nice enough, though perhaps a little disappointing for $65,000.

And while the standard fabric seats and hard-plastic door- and dashboard inserts look downmarket, build quality is top notch, and the general feel of the interior is open, airy, and modern.

Connectivity

Toyota’s touchscreen system is unchallenging, and we found using the infotainment setup easy enough. Though this editor found the instrument panel hard to see in bright light.

Room and Comfort

There’s plenty of large-person room in both seating rows, and large door openings to facilitate easy access to the cabin. Outward visibility is also excellent, especially from the driver’s seat, this thanks to relatively narrow roof pillars and plenty of glass area.

Ride and Handling

But while the cabin and interior are fine, the 2026 Land Cruiser acquits itself on-road in ways the big, heavy, previous generation edition never could.

While the old Cruiser rode well, was quiet inside, and delivered plenty of refined V8 power, the new LC goes about its business in an entirely different way. That’s not to say that the new Land Cruiser isn’t refined—it actually operates rather smoothly—but that whole driving experience has become more visceral, and we’re pretty happy about that.

Ride quality is excellent, but road surfaces are now felt—and heard—giving the Land Cruiser a much sportier character than it’s ever had. Steering feel is excellent, too, and lean in corners is kept well in check. Brake feel is also solid, adding to the over sense of control, and encouraging aggressive driving.

Power and Performance

Power, too, is very good, and the i-Force Max engine not only delivers plenty of smooth and useful acceleration, it sounds good doing so—this, in part, due to the available performance exhaust system. Some shoppers may find the Land Cruiser’s exhaust note a little loud for around-town driving, but we found it entertaining, and part of the reward for driving the LC with gusto. You know, because it’s cheeky.

Fuel Economy

Here’s the big surprise: We averaged better than 21 mpg in routing driving, this despite the power and standard 4WD. This compares favorably to the 13.4 mpg we observed in an old, V8-powered Land Cruiser.

Value

While we wish the Land Cruiser could be had for a little less money, we are quite taken with the vehicle’s promise of off-road superiority, and its generally fun-to-drive demeanor. And while the old Land Cruiser had its place—primarily as a Lexus wearing a Toyota badge—the trimmer, lighter, more-efficient new Land Cruiser will feel right at home dodging traffic near the mall, while waiting for a blizzard or weekend off-road excursion to demonstrate its serious off-road cred.

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2026 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958

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