There are many discontinued vehicles that the automotive world would like to give a second chance to. The Toyota Land Cruiser was one of them for a couple of years. Luckily, the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is now an option for those craving a solid combination of luxury and utility. Like any Toyota SUV, there is much to appreciate about the new Land Cruiser. It features an updated powertrain, a wonderfully designed interior, and an iconic exterior that will set boundaries for future builds. It is definitely a look that competes with the best of them.
Overall, this is a solid option, and your local Toyota dealer would be happy to give you a test drive of the 2024 Land Cruiser. Hopefully, the SUV will be around for years to come, as there is clearly a market for it beyond the usual off-roading enthusiasts that buy this type of vehicle. Let’s get into why the return of this vehicle is exciting the masses.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Offers a Fast Yet Stable Ride
Performance is the most exciting aspect of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. According to Car and Driver, the new midsize SUV has a 2.4L i-Force MAX turbo I-4 hybrid engine. It has a combined maximum output of 326 hp and a torque of 465 lb-ft., which is a fairly significant increase over the previous discontinued model. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic.
This new SUV does not feature a third row. Instead, its 1.87 kWh battery pack sits above the axle, making a third row impractical. The battery is a nickel-metal hydride pack. This is a full-time four-wheel drive vehicle. It also allows for constant all-wheel drive on dry land using its two-speed transfer case with a Torsen center differential. The center differential can also lock automatically or with input from the driver. Essentially, it distributes torque between the tires.
Regarding performance, the 2024 Land Cruiser should be much more efficient than the previous model. Unfortunately, Toyota has yet to release the official numbers, but the previous model granted only a combined 14 mpg. It is one of the most significant reasons this vehicle did not connect with buyers. Regarding speed, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. Of course, there are faster midsize SUVs on the market, but the Land Cruiser’s claim to fame is not speed. According to Toyota, the new Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 lbs.
Three Different Trims
Luckily, all three trims of the 2024 Land Cruiser sport the same engine setup. However, they have other important differences that appeal to different audiences. The base model of the Land Cruiser is the 1954. The Land Cruiser 1954 version is best for drivers who do not plan to use the vehicle for intense off-roading. Sure, it can handle some, but people who off-road as a casual hobby will be more attracted to this one.
Some of the exterior features of the 1954 trim are skinny 32-inch tires and fixed anti-roll bars. On the inside, it has an 8-inch touchscreen display, manually adjustable cloth seats that are heated, and a heated steering wheel. It has heritage-style headlights on the outside but lacks a power liftgate.
The Land Cruiser trim is next in line. It has similarities with the highest model, the First Edition, but it is less luxurious. Both upgraded trims have 33-inch tires with fairly aggressive thread, making them perfect for off-roading. Additionally, they have a disconnectable front anti-roll bar and a Multi-Terrain Select system that moderates the traction control. Regarding interior technology, both trims have a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10-speaker sound system. The most impressive sound system for the SUV is a 14-speaker JBL unit.
As for differences, the Land Cruiser trim has rectangular headlights, while the First Edition has round ones. The First Edition also has rock rails, a roof rack, a front skid plate, and other minor features. Of course, Toyota will also offer various packages for the new midsize SUV.
It’s Also a Safe Vehicle
Safety features are of the utmost importance for all vehicles, especially those intended to go off-road. The 2024 Land Cruiser comes standard with Toyota SafetySense 3.0. This safety suite has features such as a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
Besides the Toyota SafetySense features, the new Land Cruiser also has a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, Hill Start Assist is standard, which is another reason this will be such a great off-roading vehicle.
Why Toyota Originally Discontinued the Land Cruiser
Many people wonder why Toyota discontinued the Land Cruiser after the 2021 model year. The official reason, which is usually the case, is that the sales were too low to continue producing the SUV. But why were people not buying this midsize off-roading SUV? Well, one of the biggest reasons is the aforementioned horrendous fuel economy. Despite the SUV type, a combined 14 MPG differs from what the buyers want. It makes the vehicle far too impractical, even with its 24.6-gallon tank.
Another reason for the end of the Toyota Land Cruiser is its price tag. Reportedly, the price started around $90,000. Though some may say an SUV like the Land Cruiser might be worth that price, getting someone to pay that much for a Toyota is a bit of a task. Of course, Toyota is one of the most well-regarded automakers, but most would expect $90,000 to be the price of a luxury SUV. Also, the original models were bloated in terms of appearance. In terms of size, the 2024 model is 4.4 inches narrower and 1.2 inches shorter. This difference in size makes the new edition much better for off-roading.
Regarding specifications, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser has a 5.7L V8 engine. Its maximum output is 381 hp, with a torque of 401 lb-ft. The 2021 model is a four-wheel drive vehicle and uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. This is faster than what automotive insiders believe the 2024 model will achieve, but it is essential to point out that the official speeds are currently unknown.
One thing the previous version of the Toyota Land Cruiser had that the new one does not is three rows. Because of this, the 2021 model could seat up to eight passengers. However, the new one seats only up to five.
Final Thoughts
Many SUV and off-roading enthusiasts will be pleased that the Land Cruiser is returning. Of course, perhaps even more have wanted the F.J. Cruiser to return to the market, but this one might be enough to satisfy everyone wanting a new Toyota off-road SUV. We still need to find out if the numbers Toyota has presented will make for a genuinely great SUV, but there is much excitement for a more efficient option that fits into this category.
Toyota will release more information regarding the Land Cruiser as its release nears. Soon, you will even be able to test drive the 2024 Land Cruiser at your local Toyota Dealer.
