Written By: Jerry Reynolds | Jun 3, 2024 4:05:23pm - at CarPro.com
Solid:
Webster defines solid as of good substantial quality or kind. That sums up the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser very well. It feels solid when you drive it, the doors and hood shut solidly, you just get this overwhelming feeling this SUV is built really well.
The Land Cruiser debuted in 1951 believe it or not. It debuted in 1999 in America and continued until 2021 when it ceased being sold in the United States, but not elsewhere. Sales had waned on our shores likely due to pricing.
For 2024, the legend is back! It’s leaner and meaner, it’s updated from a technology standpoint, it starts at about $55,900 and yet it still retains many of the same qualities that kept the Land Cruiser around for many decades.
Exterior
2024 also brings a much boxier body style to the Land Cruiser, and I love the edgy looks. The front end looks great with square LED headlights and running lights, and square fog lights down low. The hood is raised on the outsides, which looks terrific but also increases visibility, especially off the pavement. When you look at the front view, it’s noticeable how much ground clearance this SUV has. The heritage TOYOTA name is emblazoned on the grill.
This week, everyone has remarked on the color, which is simply called Sand, and a light colored roof with a cargo rack give the Cruiser an attractive and unique look, not totally unlike the FJ Cruiser that was sold here. 18” alloys look good, and rock rails in lieu of running boards grace the sides between the wheels with fender flares above them. Looking from the rear, I love that the rear glass will open separately from the tailgate, and there is a spoiler at the back. I could do without the hitch cover personally, it kind of sticks out like a sore thumb, and as always, I would prefer the rear wiper tucked under the spoiler, but oh well.
Powertrain
Under the sculpted hood, lies an all-new power plant. Gone is the old V8, and replacing it is the i-Force Max 2.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder hybrid, that is supplemented by an electric motor. It is putting out 326-horses, and an amazing 465 pound-feet of torque. It is hooked to an 8-speed automatic and has full-time all-wheel drive, although it is rear-wheel biased when not in 4x4 mode. The Land Cruiser sits on a true truck chassis that is shared with Tundra, Sequoia and Tacoma.
Interior
The changes continue as you open the door to see the interior that greets you. This is an off-roader technically, so you don’t get the luxury of the new Lexus GX, but the leather heated and cooled power seats are slightly bolstered with stitching on the outside, and they are extremely comfortable.As you sit behind the power adjusting and heated steering wheel, you see a 12.3” color gauge cluster that is easy to read, and it is configurable in the center. As you look up, there is a nice head-up display with sign recognition. The rearview mirror turns into a camera mirror in case people or cargo are blocking the view.
Moving over to the center dash of the Land Cruiser, there is a large 12.3” infotainment screen that operates the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, the 10-speaker Premium sound system, navigation, voice recognition, vehicle settings, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is incredibly simple and lightning fast. You’ll also find an off-road page there, a crystal clear 360-degree backup camera with overhead view, and a front-view camera that is activated from a button below the screen.
As you sit behind the power adjusting and heated steering wheel, you see a 12.3” color gauge cluster that is easy to read, and it is configurable in the center. As you look up, there is a nice head-up display with sign recognition. The rearview mirror turns into a camera mirror in case people or cargo are blocking the view.
Moving over to the center dash of the Land Cruiser, there is a large 12.3” infotainment screen that operates the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, the 10-speaker Premium sound system, navigation, voice recognition, vehicle settings, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is incredibly simple and lightning fast. You’ll also find an off-road page there, a crystal clear 360-degree backup camera with overhead view, and a front-view camera that is activated from a button below the screen.
Below the screen are your automatic temperature climate controls, and the temperature controls for the seats. Continuing down is the front camera button, (3) USB-C ports, a power outlet, and a wireless charger for your cell phone.
Also, there is a knob for the drive modes, featuring Eco, Normal, and Sport. There are switches for multi-terrain select, and crawl mode for descending down steep grades.
Also on the console are large cupholders, the electronic parking brake, Auto Hold activation, you can lock-in the front and/or rear axles, and you can disengage the stabilizer bars when you are doing serious off-roading. In front of the center armrest is a wireless phone charger, then if you raise the soft center console you’ll find a cool box that can be turned on to keep beverages cold, and it gets really cold really quickly.
A cool new feature allows you to say “Hey Toyota” and give the vehicle commands, like changing the temperature, or a certain radio station. You can tell it an address you want the navigation to take you to, or you can tell it you need coffee, and the closest coffee shops will pull up on the screen. The system works like a charm.
Moving to the back seat, it is huge with lots of head and leg room, and both sides have grab handles and map pockets. There are air conditioning vents up high for the rear occupants and (2) USB-C ports. The backseats are split 60/40, and there is a fold-down armrest with cupholders, and the seats recline, but do not slide.
Utility
Moving to the cargo area, the Land Cruiser does not offer a 3rd-row seat, so it is a five-passenger SUV. There is 37.5 cubic feet of cargo area behind the 2nd row seats, and there is more storage hidden underneath the load floor. There is a 110-volt power outlet in the rear area.
Standard Equipment and Options
The Land Cruiser First Edition comes completely loaded with most everything I talked about above. It has a power moon roof with a manual sliding cover, but there is no panoramic moon roof. Not previously mentioned are keyless entry, front and rear defroster, power-folding mirrors, headlight washers, a power tailgate.
Options on this one total $480, and includes the two-tone roof for $350 and an all-weather cargo mat for $130.
Safety
On the safety front, Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 gives you pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure alert with steering assist.
Ride and Drive
The Land Cruiser drives like a dream, visibility is outstanding, and it is very quiet inside-which was a bit of a surprise, I expected tire noise, but nothing. For you V8 lovers, give this a chance, the acceleration is terrific, and you really feel that 465 pound-feet of torque. You get really good feedback from the steering and make no mistake: The off-road capability is exceptional if you need it, but not so much that it inhibits a great daily driving experience.
MPG and MSRP
Fuel economy in this 5,000 pound SUV that will tow 6,000 pounds is actually quite good. It is rated at 22 in town, 25 on the highway, and 23 overall. Total MSRP is $76,825 with everything in the world on it.
Verdict
One word of warning: Keep your eyes on the road. A camera mounted to the top of the steering column monitors your eyes to make sure you are paying attention. This is for the semi-self-driving system. It’s a bit of a taskmaster about it all the time. I got a warning at least 10 times in a week!
On the pavement or off, this is an exceptional SUV that is certain to be a huge hit for Toyota. If you think you may want one, start early at one of our CarPro Dealers, I suspect these will be hard to come by for the foreseeable future.
