Last Updated on August 2, 2023 by Victor A
The iconic Toyota Land Cruiser is making a triumphant return to the American market in 2024, and it promises to be a game-changer.
The Japanese automaker has taken a bold step to honor the Land Cruiser’s legacy while making it more accessible and appealing to off-road enthusiasts.
This upcoming iteration manages to turn the clock back to the original Land Cruiser’s essence while also pushing forward with modern advancements and a more affordable price tag.
Affordable Off-Roader
The 2024 Land Cruiser lineup will include three grades: 1958, Land Cruiser, and First Edition.
What sets the new Land Cruiser apart from its predecessor is its more affordable starting price, teased to be in the “mid-$50,000 range.”
This move is in stark contrast to the discontinued 2021 model, which started at a hefty $87,030. With this pricing strategy, Toyota expects a surge in demand, aiming to sell all 5,000 units of the First Edition within the first three months of launch.
Revolutionary Powertrain
The 2024 Land Cruiser will come standard with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a 1.87 kWh battery.
This i-Force Max hybrid system, also found in the Tacoma TRD Pro, delivers 326 horsepower and an impressive 465 pound-feet of torque.
The powerful hybrid setup ensures the Land Cruiser remains a capable off-roader, with peak torque available at just 1700 rpm, making it ideal for tackling challenging terrain.
Fuel Efficiency and Hybrid Setup
The downsized hybrid powertrain not only offers impressive power but also better fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor.
The 2021 Land Cruiser achieved an appalling 14 mpg combined, while the 2024 hybrid model is expected to deliver substantial improvements, likely outperforming the larger LX600’s 19 mpg combined.
The inclusion of a standard 2400-watt inverter and power delivery system enhances the Land Cruiser’s versatility.
Timeless Design with Modern Features
Toyota has designed the 2024 Land Cruiser to exude authenticity and timelessness.
The exterior reflects this vision with different styling cues based on the trim level.
The Land Cruiser 1958 boasts round LED headlights and a heritage grille with “TOYOTA” lettering, reminiscent of its roots.
Meanwhile, the Land Cruiser grade and First Edition models sport rectangular headlights, with the latter being limited to only 5,000 units and featuring exclusive off-road features like front skid plates, rock rails, and a roof rack.
Interior improvement
On the inside, the Land Cruiser 1958 offers cloth upholstery, a push-button ignition, and an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia system.
Opting for higher trims brings more luxurious features such as heated and ventilated leather seats, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system, a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a head-up display.
Additionally, the First Edition features leather seats with “First Edition” logos embossed on the door panels, along with a unique stitching key glove.
Off-Road Capabilities
The 2024 Land Cruiser maintains its reputation as an exceptional off-road vehicle.
With a full-time four-wheel-drive system, center locking differential, and a two-speed transfer case, it ensures constant all-wheel drive operation on dry surfaces.
Additionally, the Land Cruiser and First Edition models come equipped with a front stabilizer bar disconnect system, Multi-Terrain Select, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor, further enhancing their off-road prowess.
A Shared Body-On-Frame Platform
Like the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, the 2024 Land Cruiser rides on the body-on-frame TNGA-F platform.
Toyota has reinforced it with high-strength steel, incorporating blanking and laser welds to provide a more rigid structure than the old Land Cruiser 200 series.
This chassis design, combined with a newly developed double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, ensures a smooth and capable ride both on and off the road.
