Smaller, lighter, and far more affordable
Roseville, Calif.- The rumor regarding the demise of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser was only partially true. Following a two-year absence in the U.S., the big SUV returned.
It’s back, yet it’s certainly not the same. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser arrived with a much-needed redesign. Back in the day (it debuted in 2005) it was a monstrous SUV, a trail blazer of sorts. This year’s redesigned model is smaller, lighter, has no third row (two rows, five passengers), and features a turbocharged hybrid powertrain. And one additional thing – it’s far more affordable.
We frequently shook our heads in the past 10 years when testing the Land Cruiser. Our frequent retort – when is the redesign coming? Toyota kept manufacturing the out-of-date SUV and it showed in sales, which were pitiful. Simply put, no one wanted to shell out roughly $85,000.
Sales resurgence
Well, that sales slump is now a thing of the past. Heading into September 2024, sales were 15,237, which nearly matches the combined Land Cruiser sales between 2017-21. No doubt the slimmed-down SUV and its slimmed-down sticker price (starting at just under $56,000) are major factors in the sales resurgence.
The new Land Cruiser is a midsize SUV and no longer competes with another Toyota product, the full size Sequoia. Instead of also competing against the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition, the Land Cruiser now sees its main competition as the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler.
Like the Wrangler and Bronco, the Land Cruiser possesses a rugged truck-like appeal, making it off-road ready, thanks to a standard four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing and locking differentials.
Lag in tech
Not all is right with this year’s Land Cruiser. We still found it lacking in technology, the tiny outdated 8.0-inch display a prime example that changes still need to be made. Additional complaints are the small cargo area and its high floor, the key fob doesn’t raise or lower the tailgate, braking of this heavy SUV (5,038 pounds) remains a concern during sudden stops, and the handling is still ponderous at times.
Even though acceleration can be characterized as lackluster, overall we still like the new engine. The Land Cruiser is a turbocharged hybrid with an electric motor that combines with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder to generate 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It goes a respectable 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and can tow up to 6,000 pounds.
A big leap forward
What really struck us was the increased fuel economy. Previously, the Land Cruiser was a gas guzzler, getting 15-18 mpg. There’s been a big leap forward with the SUV now getting between 22-25 mpg.
AT A GLANCE – 2024 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
- Performance: electric motor, turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 326 horsepower
- Mileage estimate range: 22-25 mpg
- Price: $55,900 to $74,900
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles; roadside assistance 2 years/unlimited; corrosion 5 years/unlimited
Steering remains somewhat ponderous and the handling requires intense concentration on the road ahead. Driver safety features include pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and panoramic view monitor.
While additional improvements are needed, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is superior to previous models. We like the scaled down version and the huge sales boast this year is a good sign that Toyota made the correct decision in bringing this SUV back.
