The Land Cruiser is again with body-on-frame building and a 326 hp hybrid powertrain, but it surely has just a few quirks
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Toyota is finest identified for making the Camry and Prius, however they’re an fanatic model. When you may scoff at that concept, the corporate gives two sports activities vehicles, a scorching hatch, an overlanding-focused pickup, and body-on-frame SUVs with reliable off-road functionality.
Nonetheless, one mannequin has been notably absent in America and that’s the Land Cruiser. Initially provided stateside in 1958, the SUV rapidly established itself as certainly one of Toyota’s best-selling autos.
The Land Cruiser grew and developed over the a long time, ultimately remodeling into a big and splendid SUV that price $85,515. This put it uncomfortably near the Lexus LX and the mannequin was ultimately phased out in 2021 following years of modest gross sales.
After a cautious rethink, the Land Cruiser is returning for 2024 with a base value within the “mid-$50,000 vary.” That’s roughly $30,000 lower than its predecessor, however we’re getting the smaller Prado / 250 variant relatively than the bigger Land Cruiser 300 that was launched a bit of over two years in the past.
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A Trendy Design That Seems to be To The Previous
Designers can pat themselves on the again because the mannequin clearly echoes the Land Cruisers of outdated, whereas nonetheless trying trendy and rugged. The ensuing design seems to be good, though some parts are shared with the Lexus GX.
That being mentioned, the Land Cruiser is available in two distinctive flavors in addition to a particular launch version. The entry-level Land Cruiser 1958 wears round headlights, black cladding, and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.
The Land Cruiser trim has the same look, but it surely’s distinguished by rectangular LED headlights which can be designed to recall these used on the FJ62 from the 1980’s. They’re joined by colour altering fog lights, extra body-color elements, and wider tires.
Extra: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Returns To America With Hybrid Energy And Enormous Worth Minimize
We’ll be taught extra particulars nearer to launch, however the mannequin makes a very good first impression because of purposeful strains and a rugged look. As an added bonus, prospects can get a dose of nostalgia because of a Heritage Blue physique that contrasts with an obtainable Grayscape roof.
Whereas the outside design is fairly self explanatory, there are a few issues price mentioning together with the flip-up rear glass on the liftgate. That’s one thing you hardly ever see today and homeowners can simply entry the cargo space by hitting a discrete button on the decrease left aspect. The function will undoubtedly show standard with canine homeowners, particularly those that wish to take their 4 legged pals on adventures.
The Land Cruiser can be notable for having a excessive step-in peak, particularly when you’re used to crossovers. This shouldn’t be too shocking given the off-road focus and eight.7 inches (221 mm) of floor clearance, which is greater than you’ll discover on the usual four-door Bronco. That being mentioned, the step-in peak isn’t too dangerous and the non-obligatory aspect steps enhance issues considerably.
An Odd Inside That Feels A Bit Low-cost
Whereas the outside has a retro vibe, the cabin is completely trendy because it sports activities a digital instrument cluster and an 8- or 12.3-inch infotainment system. We didn’t get an opportunity to play with both, however the smaller show has plastic ‘fillers’ on the ends and this offers the cabin an inexpensive really feel.
Talking of which, the inside leaves rather a lot to be desired because it’s plasticky and boring. Just a few gloss black accents and metallic prospers attempt to brighten issues up, however the cabin feels low cost and that’s not one thing you need to hear when costs begin north of fifty grand. It’s additionally price noting the equally priced Land Rover Defender has a fundamental inside as properly, but it surely seems to be and feels much more substantial.
On the intense aspect, controls are logically laid out and positioned inside simple attain. There are additionally some good touches together with turbine-style air vents and a trendy switch case swap.
Toyota hasn’t launched full gear particulars, however the Land Cruiser 1958 has fabric seats with heating up entrance. Patrons may even discover a six-speaker audio system, a wi-fi smartphone charger, and a 2400W AC outlet within the cargo compartment.
The Land Cruiser trim is way extra luxurious because it has heated and ventilated SofTex entrance seats, a ten-speaker audio system, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system. The Premium Package deal provides leather-based, a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a moonroof. They’re joined by a head-up show and a digital rearview mirror.
Placing gear apart, the entrance seats are closely bolstered and a bit of stiff. That being mentioned, they appear comfy sufficient and there’s loads of room.
The second-row gives good head- and legroom, though it’s simple to get your foot caught on the entrance seat brackets when coming into. That isn’t the one concern as second-row toe room is proscribed, particularly on the sides.
Whereas the Land Cruiser is obtainable with a third-row in worldwide markets, the US-spec mannequin is a strict five-seater. That is largely as a result of 1.87 kWh NiMH battery pack, which resides behind the second-row and takes up a substantial quantity of house.
Seven-Seat Euro-Spec Land Cruiser vs 5-Seat US-Spec Land Cruiser
The distinction is straightforward to see in side-by-side pictures because the rear load flooring seems to be just a few inches taller than in non-hybrid variants. Whereas the battery prevents Toyota from providing an additional row, the mannequin has third-row cup holders. That’s seemingly a price saving measure, however no less than they’re purposeful and can be utilized whereas tenting or tailgating.
These aren’t the one quirks because the second-row seats fold and tumble to offer entry to the non-existent third-row. Whereas there might be some advantages to this setup, the second-row seats don’t fold flat and that’s all the time disappointing.
A Normal Hybrid Powertrain With 326 HP
The Land Cruiser borrows closely from the redesigned Tacoma as each fashions journey on the identical body-on-frame platform and have an i-Drive Max hybrid powertrain. The latter comes commonplace on the SUV and it consists of a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, the aforementioned battery, and an eight-speed computerized transmission with an built-in electrical motor.
Whereas hybrids are sometimes considered as boring and sluggish, that seemingly gained’t apply to the Land Cruiser because it packs 326 hp (243 kW / 331 PS) and 465 lb-ft (630 Nm) of torque. Extra importantly, Toyota has recommended the mannequin might have a mixed gasoline economic system score of 27 mpg.
These are spectacular numbers because the Defender 110 comes commonplace with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping out 296 hp (221 kW / 300 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. Moreover, the posh SUV has a far much less spectacular gasoline economic system score of 17 mpg metropolis, 20 mpg freeway, and 18 mpg mixed. That being mentioned, it’s necessary to notice the Land Cruiser’s score isn’t official at this level.
Extra: See How The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Compares To The Ford Bronco And Jeep Wrangler
In addition to the hybrid powertrain, the Land Cruiser has a full-time four-wheel drive system, a middle locking differential, and an digital locking rear differential. Larger-end trims construct on that with a entrance stabilizer bar disconnect system, a Multi-Terrain Choose system, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor.
As talked about above, the Land Cruiser rides on the body-on-frame TNGA-F platform which is shared with an assortment of different fashions together with the full-size Land Cruiser 300 bought abroad. This guarantees loads of rugged functionality in addition to the power to tow as much as 6,000 kilos (2,722 kg).
The Land Cruiser is slated to reach in america subsequent spring and we’re trying ahead to its return because the mannequin shall be much more inexpensive than its predecessor. It additionally seems to be fairly succesful on paper and can undoubtedly be extra environment friendly. Nonetheless, there’s no scarcity of competitors and we’re curious to see how the Land Cruiser stacks as much as the Defender in addition to the redesigned Lexus GX.
