When the 2024 Lexus GX was unveiled earlier this year looking awfully retro in its form and in roof line details, I knew right then something was up. I knew right then we would see a Toyota variant of the mid-size body-on-frame SUV. I honestly thought however it would be a new 4Runner, not a new and more affordably positioned Land Cruiser. Yay for more affordable.
Starting in the mid-$50,000 range instead of nearly $100,000 like before, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser for North America is based on a slightly smaller – let’s call it mid-size – variation of the TNGA-F global truck platform. Smaller than the Sequoia, larger than the 4Runner.
With a 112-inch wheelbase and length of 193-inches, it comes in 15-inches shorter than the full-size Sequoia and about 3-inches longer than the current 4Runner in both wheelbase and length.
With its decidedly retro and boxy styling, its silhouette has nice muscular proportions without the in-your-face Himbo went to the gym styling flourishes seen in the new 2024 Tacoma lineup. It’s a little more mature and statesmanlike in its presentation, yet still has hair on its chest.
As such for its first year, the Toyota Land Cruiser will be available in three trim grades. The base model is called Land Cruiser 1958. It looks basic and traditional for sure. It has the old school round headlights but they’re LED and they book-end a TOYOTA big-letter grille. Standard are fog lamps down below.
Next up the ladder is the well loaded one, simply called Land Cruiser. It has rectangular LED headlights, RIGID LED fog lights, a more premium looking grille and more body color skins. It has a bit more of a modern look that rings Land Rover Defender in a way that I’m sure is no accident.
Then there is the first year Land Cruiser First Edition limited to 5,000 units which gets the retro round headlights, lots of unique call-outs including special two-tone paint combos and some extra off-road equipment to butch it up.
They all get 18-inch wheels standard to make room for standard 17-inch four-wheel disc brakes which contribute to its 6,000 pound tow capacity. They all get a double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link floating solid axle rear suspension. Modern electric power steering is there too along with a disconnecting front sway-bar on the top trim grades.
Unlike the Lexus GX550, the Land Cruiser uses the smaller 2.4-liter turbocharged four and hybrid 8-speed automatic transmission with an integrated 48 horsepower electric motor just introduced in the new Tacoma pickups. Here it will offer up 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque aided by its 1.87 kWh battery pack.
The powertrain is backed up by full-time four-wheel drive featuring a two-speed transfer case and center locking differential. Base models come with an automatic limited-slip rear differential, an electronic locker on top grade Land Cruiser. With its short overhangs, it has a maximum approach angle of 31.0 degrees, maximum departure of 22.0 degrees and it’s best break-over angle is 25.0 degrees with a ground clearance up to 8.7 inches.
The cabin too has a somewhat retro look and feel, though it is entirely modern in it’s equipment and features list. The base model Land Cruiser 1958 comes with black cloth seating trim and a standard 8-inch infotainment system.
Stepping up to the top Land Cruiser gets you heated and ventilated SofTex vinyl seating with a choice of black or tan. Center stage is a more premium 12.3-inch infotainment system that can be upgraded further with a 14-speaker JBL sound system. Leather-trimmed seats are available as an option.
Also, the First Edition gets much of what the top trim grade offers plus special leather-trimmed seats and a “First Edition” logos throughout just to name a few things.
The 2024 Land Cruiser will be a premium product, coming from production facilities in Japan instead of North American plants such as the 4Runner and Sequoia. It will go on sale here in the spring of 2024 starting in the mid-$50,000’s which puts it square between the other two in the model range.
