2024 Toyota Land Cruiser returns with retro look and turbo 4 hybrid powertrain

An off-road icon returns for a new era.

On Tuesday, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser debuted with a turbocharged hybrid powertrain, smaller footprint, lower price, and retro design. When it goes on sale in the U.S. in spring 2024, it will start in the mid-$50,000 range, according to Toyota. The previous model started at about $85,000.

The latest Land Cruiser will change direction from where the 200 series left off three years ago, offering a smaller size and retro design at a lower price. The lineup will include the Land Cruiser 1958 (year of US introduction), Land Cruiser, and 5,000 Land Cruiser First Editions.

The new Land Cruiser is 4.4 inches narrower and 1.2 inches shorter than the current model. Its design is influenced by its predecessors of decades rather than years ago. The base model Land Cruiser 1958 and the top-of-the-line Land Cruiser First Edition have round headlights, while the mid-trim models have square LED headlights. The round headlights are reminiscent of the 1960s 40 Series and 1980s 60 Series Land Cruisers, while the square LED units are reminiscent of the facelifted 60 Series known as the FJ62. All models have vertical rectangular taillights like the FJ60, and the word "Toyota" is stamped on the grille.

The upright stance, slab sides, and tall glass should provide good forward visibility, essential for off-road driving. Most Land Cruisers will come with 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, while mid-trim Land Cruiser models will be available with 20-inch wheels.

The V-8 engine is discontinued. All Land Cruisers will be hybrids, combining a 2.4-liter turbo four with a 48-hp electric motor mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that produces 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Full-time four-wheel drive and a two-speed electronic shift transfer case are standard. All Land Cruisers will also be equipped with a Torsen limited-slip center differential with manual locking capability and a locking rear differential, while mid- and top-spec models will add a disconnectable front stabilizer bar.

Like the current 300 Series Land Cruiser, which is not sold in the U.S. and will not be introduced in Japan, and the Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, Lexus GX, and Lexus LX, the new Land Cruiser will ride on a TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. All models will use double wishbones in the front and twin-tube shocks with multi-link suspension in the rear.

Land Cruiser's signature off-road capability is enhanced by an approach angle of up to 31.0 degrees, a departure angle of up to 22.0 degrees, and a breakover angle of 25.0 degrees. Minimum ground clearance is 8.7 inches, and if that is not enough, rock rails and high-strength steel skid plates are available. A tow hitch receiver is standard, and the tow rating is up to 6,000 pounds.

Toyota's Terrain Management System comes standard on mid- and top-spec Land Cruisers, with Mud, Dirt, and Sand modes available in both 4Hi and 4Lo. Crawl control, which is essentially off-road cruise control, will be standard, as will hill descent control.

Inside, the base Land Cruiser 1958 model comes with heated cloth seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, a 2,400 watt AC inverter. Middle-spec models will replace the 12.3-inch touchscreen, 10-speaker audio system, Ridgid-branded color-selectable LED fog lights, and synthetic leather-trimmed seats. Only the top-of-the-line First Edition Land Cruiser will get leather seats.

Toyota promises more than 100 accessories, ranging from off-road recovery gear to racks and attachments, will be available at launch through the automaker.

All Land Cruisers will be equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A surround-view camera system will also be available.