Rugged and Retro: The New 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Rolls Out

We haven’t had a new Toyota Land Cruiser in North America for a few years, but that will change in 2024. This new model isn’t the same Land Cruiser you remember.

With the Land Cruiser out of the way, the Toyota Sequoia was able to take over as the largest three-row SUV in the Toyota lineup. Will a new Land Cruiser retake its position as the top dog? Actually, this new model isn’t as much like the previous generation as it is related to early models. As it returns to the market, it brings two rows of seats instead of three while also offering many other retro qualities.

Here are a few qualities of the new Toyota Land Cruiser you want to know.

The Land Cruiser Rides on the TNGA-F Platform

Although this new Land Cruiser only features five seats across two rows, it shares a platform with Toyota’s largest vehicles. The TNGA-F platform is currently used for the Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, with the Land Cruiser being the fourth model using this platform for its build. This new build lowers the center of gravity, which improves handling and driving manners out on the road. This should make the Land Cruiser more fun and comfortable to drive on the road.

Off-Roading is a Must

Toyota would be remiss in calling an SUV Land Cruiser that doesn’t come with impressive off-road capabilities and qualities. This new Toyota SUV brings a solid rear axle, dual control-arm independent rear suspension, and twin-tube dampers to offer the off-road prowess desired. Add the benefits of the Toyota Crawl Control feature and Multi-Terrain Select package, which offers the settings desired to take this new SUV across nearly every terrain.

This Toyota SUV Is Facelifted Everywhere

From every angle, the new Land Cruiser looks tough, rugged, and retro. It’s easy to see the influence of early models, especially if you choose the 1958 trim with the round headlights. The new Land Cruiser takes some design elements from the Tundra with beefier body features and chunkier design elements. This SUV features a narrower build than the previous generation while riding on wider tires to offer a more imposing look out on the trails. If you want throwback styling in your SUV, the new Land Cruiser is the SUV for you.

Toyota Gives This SUV the i-Force Max Hybrid Treatment

Torque has become more important than horsepower for driving, which makes the new 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid 4-cylinder powertrain much better than the deleted 5.7-liter V8. This new i-Force Max hybrid powertrain mates with an 8-speed automatic transmission and delivers 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque to the wheels. These figures are 55 less horsepower but 64 more lb-ft of torque for the modern Land Cruiser compared to the previous version. This powertrain is lighter and much more efficient than the previous model.

The Standard Towing Capacity Dropped

Nothing tows like a V8, and this new hybrid 4-cylinder powertrain proves that. The new Toyota Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 pounds which is less than the previous model, which could tow up to 8,100 pounds. This might be a bit disappointing but it’s still more weight than you can pull with the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. If you add a few options to this new Toyota SUV, that tow rating can increase to 8,200 pounds, giving you the number you need.

Toyota Offers A Full Line of Accessories

Much like the Jeep Wrangler, the Land Cruiser can be fitted with more than 100 accessories made to give this impressive SUV more of what you want. Whether you’re looking for more equipment for your time on the trails or you simply want to give this Toyota SUV a more interesting look, you’ll find everything you’re looking for to improve the Land Cruiser. Add a light bar, a winch, skidplates, recovery hooks, kayak carriers, and all-weather floor mats to this incredible SUV.

Increased Cargo Room With Fewer Seats

The previous Land Cruiser was a capable off-roader but evolved into a family-sized three-row SUV that sat atop the Toyota SUV lineup. This new model steps back in time, offering five seats across two rows, which increases the cargo space in the rear. The new Land Cruiser is 1.2 inches shorter in length and nearly one inch shorter in height but offers much more useful cargo space behind the rear seats.

The new Toyota Land Cruiser will hit the market in 2024 with three trim levels and a rugged build made for off-road adventures. If you’re looking for the next great Toyota adventure vehicle, this is it.