2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: Everything We Know About the Legend's Return to America

Toyota had some ups and downs last year – it didn't beat General Motors in America (2.6 to 2.24 million units), but it hammered the runner-up Volkswagen AG for the title of the worldwide biggest automaker. In fact, given its namesake brand and Lexus performance, Toyota could have beaten VW and its many subsidiaries with those two alone.

But that's in the past. 2024 is an all-new year, and things can change in a heartbeat, so the company needs to keep up the excellent work. Actually, they have slowed down with the new model announcements, and now they're into promoting the all-new nameplates that have already arrived – like was the case with the latest Super Bowl and the N400 Tacoma.

The Japanese company will soon bring the i-Force Max hybrid version of the mid-size pickup truck to nationwide dealerships to make sure it's the segment's best-seller all over again. But it won't be the only one sporting the 326-horsepower hybrid powertrain, as Toyota will soon unleash the 2024 Land Cruiser. This is clearly one of the most anticipated models arriving on dealer lots this year, not just among SUVs.

After a sabbatical that now verges on four years, Toyota's longest-running nameplate will return to the market at a much more affordable price point (mid-$50k) thanks to a 'dirty' little secret. This isn't the direct heir to the Land Cruiser last sold in the US because it's based on the J250 style instead of J300, meaning we are now dealing with the 2024 Lexus GX sibling or Land Cruiser Prado (or 250) in other regions.

This version is coming back to the United States instead of the J300 Land Cruiser introduced to foreign regions, and it also gave up on the V8 lifestyle. So, instead of a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8, the fresh successor has a turbo 2.4-liter inline-four, hybrid assistance, and 326 horsepower plus 465 pound-feet of torque. It compares quite evenly to the old model's 381 horsepower and lower 401 lb-ft of torque while it can still two up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) "and stays true to its heritage as a durable off-roader." It also comes with the latest features like optional 12.3-inch touchscreen displays, the newest Toyota Audio Multimedia system, the latest version of Multi Terrain Monitor, and standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 on all grades.

Speaking of the latter, only three trims are on offer, at least initially – 1958, Land Cruiser, and First Edition, with the last solely offered to the first 5,000 reservation holders. Of course, it will have all the bells and whistles, like 18-inch wheels, round LED headlights, a dual-tone body, a roof rack, rock rails, or skid plates. Creature comforts are not forgotten if we think about the leather seats with heating and ventilation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, OTA updates, 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, 4G connectivity, or head-up display and Smart Key System.

Seven exterior colors are available - Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Underground, Black, Meteor Shower, Trail Dust, and Heritage Blue, with the latter two being two-tone offerings featuring a Grayscape roof. Suppose you fear cannibalization with the potentially upcoming next-generation 4Runner. In that case, it's going to be tricky business if the company offers the same powertrain, but the 2024 Land Cruiser is also larger than its 4Runner sibling – it's slightly longer, much broader, and slightly taller. However, the old-school 4Runner is somewhat more capable off-road if we take into account its marginally better ground clearance (nine inches compared to 8.7 inches).

No worries, though, as the Land Cruiser won't disappoint – given its multitude of goodies. There's an automatic limited-slip differential (Auto LSD), a standard electronic locking rear differential, a new front stabilizer bar disconnect on the top grades, rock rails, full coverage high-strength steel skid plates, front tow/recovery hooks, and more. Multi-Terrain Select is functional in WD-High and 4WD-Low, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, and "an approach angle up to 31.0 degrees and max departure to 22.0 degrees while breakover angle reaches 25.0 degrees."

More importantly, Toyota estimates that fuel economy will significantly improve from just 14 mpg (combined) for the old Land Cruiser to an average of 27 mpg – so it will be highly competitive against SUVs that also feature auto boxes like the new LC, such as Ford Bronco or Land Rover Defender 110. The TNGA-F body-on-frame platform that's also used for numerous other Toyotas, including the new Tacoma and GX, should be more than reliable as it's been in use for some years already. Last but not least, the Land Cruiser should feel posh, tech-savvy, and just as adventurous as ever from the inside, while a Land Cruiser Se all-electric model that could go against the Rivan R1S is probably more than a few years away despite the futuristic concept presentation seen last year at the Japan Mobility Show.