2024 Toyota Land Cruiser & Land Cruiser 1958 (Everything You Need to Know)
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser debuts honoring the past with three grades — 1958, Land Cruiser, & First Edition — and a mid-$50K starting MSRP.
When the Land Cruiser 200 Series ended production after the 2020 model year, it was the sister model to the three-row Lexus LX with a mid-$80,000 base MSRP. It was big and luxurious and capable, but a far cry from the original models. The replacement 300 Series never went on sale here in the States, but the LX 600 and Sequoia carried the torch. Today, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser returns to North America (and as the Prado elsewhere) as the sister model to the Lexus GX — 4.4 inches narrower, 1.2 inches shorter — and a shocking mid-$50,000 starting MSRP. Watch out, Ford and Jeep.
And not only that, you get to pick if you want your headlights inspired by either the 40 Series or the 60 Series. Why?
Because Toyota has opted to bring the Cruiser back with two headlight configurations across three model grades — Land Cruiser 1958, Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser First Edition. Which we believe is a first for a production SUV. Built on the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, think of the new Cruiser as a Lexus GX 550 with the iFORCE MAX hybrid powertrain from the 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. (Sorry, twin-turbo V6 fans.) Seven exterior color choices will be available —
- Ice Cap
- Wind Chill Pearl
- Underground
- Black
- Meteor Shower
- Trail Dust (Two-tone with a Grayscape roof)
- Heritage Blue (Two-tone with a Grayscape roof)
2024 Land Cruiser Powertrain
Every 2024 Land Cruiser features the same iFORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. It starts with a 2.4L turbo inline 4-cylinder engine (from the NX and RX 350) and then adds an integrated electric motor into the 8-speed automatic transmission along with a 1.87-kWh NiMH battery. This produces 326 peak horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of max torque.
For comparison’s sake, the 2.4L iFORCE MAX puts the ’24 Cruiser into the same league as the middle-premium engine options on the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler 4XE. The Bronco’s twin-turbo 2.7L V6 EcoBoost produces 330 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of max torque. And the 4Xe’s turbo 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid system makes 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, which likely comes from its much larger 17.3 kWh battery. Depending on weight and gearing, the Land Cruiser should be very competitive in terms of performance, with more than enough torque for off-roading adventures.
The 2024 Cruiser also boasts a full-time 4×4 system with a two-speed transfer case, locking center diff, and locking rear diff. Every model features 17-inch disc brakes, a new double-wishbone front suspension with twin-tube shocks, and a rear multi-link system with coil springs. And thanks to its standard trailer hitch, they can all tow up to 6,000 pounds.
Land Cruiser 1958
Oh, what fun it’s going to be attempting to write about the 2024 Land Cruiser 1958. The LC58 is going to be the entry-level model, the one most likely to see that mid-$50K opening price. On the outside, this is the one that’s gone full nostalgia mode with the round headlights inspired by the earliest U.S. Cruisers. Other features include a rear locking differential, CRAWL control, 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/70 all-season tires, and LED fog lamps. With a running ground clearance of 8.3″, approach, breakover, and departure angles are as follows: 30.0º/25º/22.0º
On the inside, 1958s boast black cloth seating with heated front seats, a six-speaker sound system, the smaller 8-inch Toyota infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a heated steering wheel, and a 2400W AC inverter. All 2024 Land Cruisers will be able to receive over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Land Cruiser
The simplest naming opinion, the 2024 Land Cruiser swaps in a set of FJ62-inspired rectangular headlights and RIGID color-selectable LED fog lamps, giving the front end a more squared-off look that, admittedly, fits the rest of the body a little better. More capable off-road, the Land Cruiser includes everything from the 1958 plus a front stabilizer bar disconnect, Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), CRAWL Control, Downhill Assist Control, a Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM), and 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/70 all-season tires. In this configuration, running ground clearance remains 8.3 inches, but approach, breakover, and departure angles are as follows: 31.0º/25.0º/22.0º. A slight improvement up front.
On the inside, the Land Cruiser comes standard with heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats (black or Java) along with the larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 10-speaker sound system. If that’s not fancy enough for you, tick off the premium package to add “power heated and ventilated leather-trimmed seats with lumbar support, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, moonroof, and more.”
20-inch alloy wheels with 265/60R20 tires will also be an available option.
Land Cruiser First Edition
Limited to just 5,000 units (cue the greedy dealerships), the Land Cruiser First Edition is the fancy one with every single option. On the outside, you get everything from the Land Cruiser plus a roof rack, rock rails, and a front skid plate (which should really be on more models, come on, Toyota). But unlike the LC, the First Edition goes back to the Round LED headlamps and only offers 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/70 all-season tires. Other exterior features include mudflaps, a tailgate light, and a back door guard.
Ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles are identical to the Land Cruiser.
On the inside, the First Edition boasts “leather-trimmed seats and a First Edition logo embossed on the door panels.”
Standard Safety & Available Connectivity (All Three Editions)
All 2024 Land Cruisers include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which is an incredible suite of active safety systems designed to prevent collisions, protect pedestrians as well as passengers, and keep the vehicle centered in lanes. There’s even a dynamic radar cruise control system for road trips. And, with the optional premium package, the Land Cruiser will park itself.
Push-button start with a smart key is standard across the board, but there’s an optional subscription-based Digital Key system that turns your cellphone into a key and allows you to share your key with others so you don’t have to loan out a physical key.
Qi wireless charging is standard across the board as well, as are dual front-row USB-C charging ports. Optional ports are also available for rear passengers.
Warranty/Maintenance
We don’t always cover warranty information, but this one’s actually pretty interesting because lots of folks are leery of buying electrified vehicles. Here’s how it breaks down —
- 3 years or 36,000 miles bumper to bumper on non-wear and maintenance items
- 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain
- 5 years of corrosion warranty
- 8 years or 100,000 miles for hybrid-related components
- 10 years or 150,000 miles for the hybrid battery
In addition to the above, each 2024 Land Cruiser includes a ToyotaCare maintenance plan that will cover 2 years or 25,000 miles of factory-scheduled maintenance as well as 2 years of unlimited mileage Roadside Assistance.
First Reactions
Bold and brilliant move, Toyota. Modern utility with a relatively reasonable starting price in a design package that’s both modern and nostalgic all at once. Honestly, it seems to me that, with both the GX and now the Land Cruiser, Toyota is dialing in this smaller body-on-frame SUV in very smart ways.
Off-roading and Overlanding is a growing market. The Bronco is a huge hit. The Jeep remains an iconic bestseller. And now the Land Cruiser is back to see if it can attract buyers. Interestingly, both the Jeep and the Bronco start at cheaper base prices. But it’s very easy to spec one into the $60-grand range and above. So I would venture there are a lot of people who might want to cross-shop these famous off-roading nameplates.
And I think the Land Cruiser has an edge because it’s an actual SUV, not a convertible. This platform — with an actual roof — should be the quietest at highway speeds while offering superior rigidity. It remains to be seen if the Land Cruiser will be able to hang out with the likes of the Wrangler Rubicon and Bronco Sasquatch — much more serious off-roading package. But given that most SUVs aren’t used for serious mud-bogging and rock crawling, it seems to me that the new Cruiser could slip into a bit of a market share sweet spot.
Regardless, we have high hopes and can’t wait to drive it for a review.
Photos: Toyota USA
