Coming Soon: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

The longest-running, and arguably most famous, model in Toyota’s history is returning to North America after a three-year hiatus. Toyota launched the brand-new 2024 Land Cruiser on August 1 with styling that pays homage to its roots but with tech and capability designed to suit modern on- and off-road adventures.

Coming Soon: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

The first Land Cruiser to be sold in North America arrived in 1958. Designed as a rival to the Willys Jeeps of the era, the original Cruisers sported features like fold-flat front windshields and rear jumps seats. For the next four decades, this vehicle stayed true to its mission of being a vehicle meant for hardcore off-road enthusiasts with bulletproof reliability. In more recent times, Toyota evolved the Land Cruiser into a luxury off-roader with the last 2021 models starting at a rather eye watering $87,030. Toyota’s biggest competitor was arguably itself since the company sold an even more gilded version of the Land Cruiser in its Lexus showrooms as the LX 570.

The 2024 Land Cruiser is going in a completely different direction that Toyota says is “returning to its rugged origin.” While the Cruiser will share its full-size TNGA-F truck platform with the 2024 Lexus LX 600, it won’t have the same drivetrains or premium features. Think of it more as a larger, more modern version of Toyota’s similarly capable 4Runner.

Coming Soon: 2024 Ineos Grenadier

Exterior follows the boxy trend that has been/is coming to many modern SUVs like the Ford Bronco and upcoming 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. The first 5,000 production models, dubbed “First Edition” by Toyota, will have an exclusive grille that features round headlights, similar to the Land Cruisers of old.

To facilitate off-road driving, the 2024 Land Cruiser will offer up to 8.7 inches of ground clearance with approach, departure, and breakover angles of 31, 22, and 25 degrees, respectively. Naturally, full-time 4-wheel drive is standard as is Toyota’s CRAWL Control with five driver-selectable speeds. Also included is a “Multi-Terrain Monitor” camera that can show drivers a low-angle view ahead that can help drivers negotiate or avoid obstacles.

All models will use a hybrid drivetrain comprised of a 2.4-liter gas engine, 48-horsepower electric motor, and 8-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. A standard electronic locking rear differential can secure a 50/50 front/rear power split to aid traction.

Test Drive: 2023 Range Rover Sport SE

The new Cruiser’s interior may not be as luxurious as it once was, but it still looks like it will have an air of class to it. Instrumentation is digital with buyers having a choice of 8- or 12.3-inch infotainment screens. Wireless smartphone charging with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. As with most new Toyota vehicles, the brand’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver-assistance suite is standard across the board.

Once the First Edition production run is over, buyers will be able to choose from entry-level 1958 and an uplevel, unbranded Land Cruiser grade. The 1958 will also have round headlights, 8-inch infotainment screen, heated cloth seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Land Cruiser gets rectangular headlights, 12.3-inch infotainment, and ventilated front seats covered in Toyota’s SofTex imitation leather.

Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s spring 2024 on-sale date. Toyota officials are targeting a base MSRP in the mid-$50,000 range, so significantly cheaper than the model it’s replacing.

Test Drive: 2023 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro

CG Says:

We’re very glad to see Toyota bringing back the Land Cruiser to North America at a price point that will make it more accessible. The company will have to be careful with its pricing, though, as being too aggressive will likely cannibalize sales of the similar-purpose, but smaller and more outdated, 4Runner. Regardless, we’re eager to get behind the wheel to see what the re-born Land Cruiser can do.

Test Drive: 2022 Ford Explorer Timberline