Update 21 February 2024: Toyota has just announced that the 2024 Land Cruiser will start at $55,950. The new Land Cruiser comes with an i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Prices exclude $1,395 destination fees.
The Toyota Land Cruiser used to be a full-sized behemoth with exceptional off-roading skills and a steep price tag, but not anymore! The eight-seater big SUV that used to cost $87,000 has become smaller. Additionally, it has a lower price, making it more affordable for more customers. What's even more amazing is its fuel economy figure, which is almost double that of the previous Land Cruiser.
What's new in the Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 model?
For starters, the Toyota Land Cruiser is debuting in the US market for the 2024 model year. It has borrowed the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform from Lexus and Toyota models like the GX 550, the LX 600, the Sequoia, the Tacoma, and more. Apart from the new platform, there is a new hybrid powertrain, a new exterior, and a lot more.
What about the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser price?
The older 6th generation Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series SUV was priced in the mid-$80,000 range. Meanwhile, the outgoing Land Cruiser 300 full-size model (not sold in the US) easily starts in the six-figure range. The 2024 Land Cruiser will start at $55,950 and will arrive at dealerships in spring 2024.
Okay, so what about the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser mpg ratings?
Off-road SUVs like the Land Cruiser offer all the fun and joy of torque-heavy engines, but one has to sacrifice fuel economy. The previous generation 200-series Land Cruiser that was sold in the US only offered a combined range of 14 MPG, leaving us with low expectations for its new iteration.
However, Toyota has gone miles ahead for the 2024 model year and claimed a combined range of 27 MPG for the 2024 Land Cruiser with its 2.4L hybrid powertrain. Although this isn't an official EPA-tested rating, we’d still be impressed if it stayed closer to what has been claimed.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs. 2024 Land Rover Defender
The latest Land Cruise has left the fullsize SUV market to its sibling, Sequoia. Now as a midsize SUV, it takes up the responsibility of making things for the Brits a little tough. While the Land Rover Defender has presented itself as the epitome of off-roading while offering practical features and comfort, Toyota has managed to offer a similar if not a better package than the Defender 2024 model with a starting price of $57,875.
With a lot more power, equally functional features, retro-modern styling, and 4-doors being offered in its base configuration, the Toyota in many aspects trails over the Defender. While there are other midsize off-roaders like the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota has given the upcoming 4Runner the responsibility to handle them while the Land Cruiser takes care of the big daddies in the segment.
What about the 2024 Land Cruiser trims?
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will be available in three trim configurations. The range starts with the base Land Cruiser 1958, which has its own neo-retro look. To remind us of the FJ62, the mid-range Land Cruiser trim is sitting below the top-ranking Land Cruiser First Edition.
The most expensive trim, the First Edition, is likely to be priced around $65,000. However, only 5,000 units of the First Edition will be made and sold in North America. At the same time, the 1958 trim is expected to cost nearly $55,000. That leaves the middle Land Cruiser trim, which will probably ask for $60,000.
What's under the hood of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser?
Many speculations were made regarding the powertrain of the 2024 Land Cruiser. Initially, it was assumed that the new Land Cruiser will come in the Prado skin and will have the 3.4L Twin-Turbo V6 powertrain that is given in the 2024 GX SUV. However, later some leaks confirmed that this was not the case. The possibility of a turbo hybrid setup was thrown which has finally become a reality. Yes, the diesel engine certainly could not enter the US market.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser (LC) has a 2.4L Turbo Inline-4 engine under the hood which is connected to a 48-hp electric motor and a 1.87 kWh NiMH battery pack. The hybrid powertrain is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The net output is 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The new Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 comes equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and automatic limited-slip differential for off-roading.
Some other features like vehicle stability control, an electronic locking rear differential, double-wishbone front suspension with twin-tube shocks, 17-inch disc brakes front and rear, electric power steering, and more. Additionally, if properly equipped, Toyota claims that its 2024 Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 lbs which is less than the 2021 Land Cruiser which had a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 lbs.
How's the 2024 Land Cruiser's exterior design?
Almost flat windshields and upright side windows are some of the elements other than the up-kicked window beltline that portrays similarities between the Land Cruiser and its cousin, the Lexus GX 550. However, both models do have their own distinct design languages. One is more stylish and bold, while the other looks more detailed and practical. The 2024 Land Cruiser has a more square-shaped body, whereas the front overhang has been reduced.
Moreover, the A-pillars are no longer as prominent as before. Furthermore, a ground clearance of 8.7 inches is decent enough for off-roading. Besides that, the new Land Cruiser model has an overall length of 197.7 inches, a height of 73.2 inches, and a width of 84.2 inches with mirrors. “Toyota” heritage grille and round LED headlights are two features that are specific to the 1958 trim, which also has a more plastic-heavy front end that makes it the rightful owner of an affordable entry-level place on the trim range.
Upgrade to the mid-ranking Land Cruiser, and you will get the FJ62 model-inspired rectangular headlights and color-selectable RIGID fog lights. That being said, round heritage LED headlights, rock rails, roof racks, and two new two-tone Trail Dust and Heritage Blue paint choices are reserved for the First Edition trim. The 2024 Land Cruiser color palette has seven other colors, such as Wind Chill Pearl and Trail Dust, for other trims. Also, 18-inch alloy wheels are standard across the trim range. However, buyers can select the optional 20-inch wheels as well.
What about the 2024 Land Cruiser's interior design?
Unlike its predecessor, Toyota's 2024 Land Cruiser will be a five-seater SUV. The interior seems well-designed and ergonomic. You might find soft plastic here and there, but that's not much of an issue. The base 1958 trim comes with black fabric upholstery, which can be traded with SofTex upholstery on the Land Cruiser trim and leather upholstery on the First Edition trim, respectively. The topmost trim also gets “First Edition” embossing on the door panels.
Some other features, like an 8-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker sound system, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats, are standard. The higher trims receive a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen, heated, cooled front seats, and a 10-speaker sound system. The Land Cruiser trims are also eligible for the premium package, which includes a moonroof, a digital rearview mirror, a head-up display, a JBL sound system with 14 speakers, power-heated, cooled leather seats, and a lot more.
How safe is the new Land Cruiser 2024?
All being said, Toyota has not compromised with safety either. The 2024 Land Cruiser SUV comes with a standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) suite, which adds a bunch of safety features. Some include lane departure alerts with steering assist, lane tracing assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control.
So, is the new Land Cruiser that is codenamed J250 worth the wait? A big yes. The latest Land Cruiser 250 series has everything you need in a capable midsize off-road SUV. It has a tough build, aggressive looks, a well-equipped cabin, a potent engine, and a good towing capacity. Also, with a claimed fuel economy of 27 mpg, what else are you searching for?
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