Introduced to the American market in 1958, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s longest-running nameplate. And after a two-year hiatus, the model has returned with significant upgrades.
True to its reputation, the redesigned 2024 Land Cruiser is an incredibly capable off-road vehicle. Boasting a new look, cutting-edge safety and off-roading tech, and a revolutionary powertrain, the new Land Cruiser offers Toyota’s latest and greatest — all at a more accessible starting price.
“The complete redesign of the all-new Land Cruiser amounts to an incredible evolution of the vehicle,” Toyota Marketing Vice President Mike Tripp said. “We know this new iteration had big shoes to fill, and I am absolutely thrilled to report it has exceeded our high expectations.”
A hybrid-only powertrain
Among the most significant changes to the Land Cruiser is its powertrain, which is now exclusively hybrid. The i-FORCE MAX powertrain is joined to a four-wheel drive system, producing 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 lb.-ft. of torque!
These impressive statistics are possible due to the powertrain’s unique, award-winning design. The electric motor is placed between the 2.4-liter, turbocharged engine and the transmission, allowing for a lag-free power transfer that ramps up performance.
Its status as a hybrid also helps improve fuel efficiency. The 2024 Land Cruiser has an estimated 23 miles per gallon combined. Compare that to the 2022 version’s 18 average miles per gallon!
The Land Cruiser joins several other Toyotas in becoming hybrid-only, like the Sienna, Venza, and 2025 Camry.
Ready for off-roading
Got dreams of off-roading? The 2024 Land Cruiser has everything you may need to tackle the toughest paths.
Key to this ability is the way the vehicle is built. The Land Cruiser now has a 31-degree approach, a 25-degree breakover and 22-degree departure angles.
That structure is complemented with several technological systems. For instance, center and rear-locking differentials are standard on all grades. In particular, the rear differential can split the power 50/50 on the back wheels to help boost traction and cut down on wheel spin.
Also new is the available front stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism, which increases suspension flex with just the push of a button. When disconnected, the front tires can reach the ground easier, no matter the bumps.
Meanwhile, the Multi-Terrain select tool helps the tires spin properly on mud, dirt or sand. The available Multi-Terrain Monitor uses several cameras to show your surroundings on the vehicle’s touchscreen, revealing nearby obstacles.
With five speeds, the CRAWL Control function acts as an off-roader’s cruise control. Downhill Assist Control helps you navigate steep hills safely. And you also have access to Vehicle Stability Control and an automatic limited-slip differential, providing even more traction regulation.
A nostalgic exterior and premium interior
Early Land Cruisers had a boxy frame with a flat roof and short overhangs. And as a nod to the past, so does the 2024 Land Cruiser — although it’s built on a new TNGA-F frame shared with other large Toyotas like the Tundra, Sequoia and Tacoma.
This new frame uses technology like laser blank welding to distribute mass properly, allowing for better performance and handling. Other modern features like LED lights, available 20-inch wheels, a silhouette-fitting roof rack, and color-selectable Rigid® fog lights also bring the Land Cruiser into the 21st century.
Meanwhile, the interior is far different from what you’d see in 1958. A Smart Key System with a push-button start is standard, as is a 2400W AC inverter plug in the cargo area. The multimedia touchscreen can be up to 12.3 inches long and supports Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ for all your cell phone needs.
Other interior features depend on which grade you decide to grab — which we’ll introduce now.
3 great grades to choose from
The 2024 Land Cruiser comes in three grades: Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser and the First Edition.
Like its name suggests, Land Cruiser 1958 takes inspiration from the Land Cruisers of old. It has round, retro-inspired LED headlamps and a “Toyota” heritage grille, plus modern features like heated fabric seats, a blind spot monitor, and several off-roading favorites like rear coil springs, full-time four-wheel drive, and a brake controller.
Meanwhile, the Land Cruiser has rectangular LED headlamps, heated and ventilated SofTex®-trimmed front seats, a power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch full-color multi-information display. Other trail features include Rigid® color selectable LED fog lights, the Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism, Multi-Terrain Select, and the Multi-Terrain Monitor system. The Premium Package option adds seats with lumbar support and driver memory, a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, a power moonroof, and more.
Finally, the First Edition goes all-out. It includes all the features in the aforementioned Premium Package and adds even more, like retro round LED headlamps, 18-inch wheels, and door panels with an embossed logo. You’ll also get a roof rack, rock rails, and a front skid plate.
The 2024 Land Cruiser comes in seven shades: Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Underground, Black, Meteor Shower, Trail Dust, and Heritage Blue. Trail Dust and Heritage Blue are two-tone, featuring a Grayscape-colored roof.
The most recent safety system
The 2024 Land Cruiser’s upgrades extend to its safety features. Every model is equipped with Toyota Safety System™ (TSS) 3.0, the system’s most recent incarnation.
Each TSS system uses a variety of cameras around the car to help you stay safe on the road, including stopping the car if needed. TSS 3.0 in particular takes existing features from TSS 2.5+ and makes them better.
TSS 3.0 introduced Proactive Driving Assist, which has three subsystems that work to help you stay in your lane, safely navigate curbs, and steer around cars or pedestrians by the side of the road. It also improved on existing systems. The Pre-Collision System can now detect guardrails and motorcyclists, for instance, while Dynamic Radar Cruise Control has a new setting and better vehicle detection capabilities.