Official: Toyota Land Cruiser Returns to the U.S. on August 1!!!

Toyota teased the all-new Land Cruiser today with a nice look of the boxy front facia, sitting next to a 60s series Land Cruiser.

Toyota USA today officially confirmed that an all-new Land Cruiser — The Legend! — will be returning to North America as a 2024 model. Set to make its world debut on August 1 at 9:20 pm Eastern, Toyota’s latest teaser image depicts the new Cruiser sitting grille to grille with its 60 Series ancestor. Not only does this juxtaposition keep with Toyota’s theme of going back to the Land Cruiser’s heritage, but it also helps establish the new model’s visual design language.

The boxy SUV — which will be called a Land Cruiser in the U.S. and likely the Land Cruiser Prado elsewhere — appears to share its silhouette with the recently announced GX 550… which looks a lot like a Land Cruiser. But where the Lexus offers more angles and is signature swoop-running lights, the Land Cruiser is very square. The headlights clearly harken back to the pictured 60 Series, while the small grille seems almost like it’s from the 80 Series or perhaps even an FJ Cruiser (although that doesn’t have rectangle headlights, of course.)

Overall, it’s another promising teaser from Toyota after Lexus absolutely killed it designing the all-new GX. By going back to the days when the Cruiser wasn’t the largest, most expensive model, Toyota appears to be embracing the SUV’s boxy, utilitarian heritage, which places it below the Sequoia and LX in terms of sizing and amenities.

And, since we still don’t know much about GX pricing, let’s just hope by making the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser smaller than the Sequoia, it’s also slightly more affordable. The goal, as I understand it, is for Toyota to take on the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler in sales. And if they hit the right price point and capabilities, I’d love to see them get a big chunk of the market.

Many questions remain, including drivetrain(s). Will we see the turbo 4cylinder from the Taco? A variation of the twin-turbo V6 from the GX, LX, and Sequoia? But we’ll share everything we know as soon as we know it. Stay tuned!

Photos: Toyota & Lexus USA

Michael S. Palmer

Michael S. Palmer began his career assisting and developing content for Academy Award-winning and studio-based film and television producers. He has been a professional writer since 2008, when he joined the Writers Guild of America West (WGAw). As a journalist and Content Editor/Manager, he has covered numerous emerging imaging, theatrical exhibition, home entertainment, and automotive technologies. He currently spends his days creating original content at the Internet Brands Automotive Group for some of the world's largest online automotive communities, including Ford Truck Enthusiasts, CorvetteForum, ClubLexus, AudiWorld, and LS1Tech. He still owns his first car, a 1987 Mercury Cougar; adores driving his Boss 302 Mustang; and recently teamed with Chevrolet Performance, Holley, Magnaflow, Eaton, Wilwood, Michelin, Chemical Guys, Summit Racing to build his first project car. Installing an LS3 E-ROD Connect & Cruise system into a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon made his eight-passenger wagon faster than a C5 Corvette to 60mph and 50 state emissions legal. His wife and daughter are very patient.