2024 Toyota Land Cruiser First Drive Review: The Legend Returns at a Price

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Pros

– Quite nearly unstoppable off-road.

– i-Force Max powertrain is brilliant.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Cons

– Ridiculously expensive.

– 1958 and Land Cruiser trims looks cheap and bland.

– On-road driveability somewhat vague and uninspired.

After a notable 35-year hiatus in Canada, the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser has made its much-anticipated return. Toyota recently held what it called Toyotapalooza where several journalists were given the opportunity to sample four vehicles as well as ogle the all-new 4Runner. What perhaps should have been the most interesting of the vehicles on-hand, the Land Cruiser did not meet expectations.

The Toyota Land Cruiser first graced Canadian roads in 1964, quickly becoming a symbol of durability and adventure. As one of the initial three models introduced by Toyota Canada, the Land Cruiser played a pivotal role in establishing Toyota’s reputation in the Canadian automotive market until the day it was pulled from the shelves in 1989.

Inside and outside the box

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser has been reborn with an emphasis on authenticity however, in my opinion, an opportunity was missed. The two base models, the 1958 and the Land Cruiser, are incredibly bland and uninspired. The main culprits are terrible wheel choices and overly simple exterior trim. Furthermore, the round headlights on the 1958 and First Edition offer little to enhance character. The same can be said about the rectangular units.

Cabins in the 1958 is poverty-spec and it’s priced from $69,290 – this is insane. The seats are cloth-covered, the plastics are cheap to the touch and look, and there are too many block-off plates where controls will be fitted on higher trims. A more interesting Land Cruiser starts with the Premium which starts at over $83,000. I’m incapable of wrapping my mind around these figures.

The good news is that there’s plenty of interior space for five occupants over two rows of seats, compared to available three rows in the 4Runner and Lexus GX. The trunk is massive at 1,061L. Front and rear seats are decently comfortable however too little time was spent at the wheel in order to truly evaluate them.

Features for a price

The Land Cruiser is designed for comfort and connectivity, featuring a Toyota Multimedia system that includes Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect, along with an eight-inch touchscreen display and a six-speaker audio system. For comfort during colder conditions, the vehicle includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, complemented by two-zone automatic air conditioning.

Higher trims starting with the volume-leader Land Cruiser grade, priced from $77,290, gain heated mirrors and a power tilting/sliding moon roof. Inside, it boasts a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, power-adjustable driver’s seat and steering column, along with heated and ventilated front seats, and three-zone automatic air conditioning covered in Softex upholstery.

i-FORCE MAX

At the heart of the 2024 Land Cruiser is the standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. This system features a 2.4L intercooled turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor located in the bell housing, connected via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivers a robust 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Importantly, each model comes with a trailer hitch standard, allowing for a towing capacity of up to 6,000 lbs.

The onslaught of torque rolls in at only 1,700 rpm meaning that, off the line or when climbing, the Land Cruiser moves with fierce intent. The brief on-road driving displayed a transmission willing to shift without fuss though despite the power, the 5,300-lb SUV isn’t exactly snappy.

Hybrid fuel economy?

The weight and upright shape of the vehicle makes me believe that NRCan’s estimated 10.7/9.5/10.1L/100km figures are overly optimistic. Even though the Land Cruiser holds a hybrid powertrain, realistically, I can’t imagine that the true combined figure will be 20% greater or more.

On and off road

The SUV is built on Toyota’s TNGA-F global truck platform, which provides the necessary strength to endure punishing off-road conditions while maintaining a decently comfortable ride on-road. The new double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, along with electric power steering and disc brakes on all four wheels, all work together isolate the occupants from the outside world as best as possible. Dynamic driving does not apply nor is it intended for this vehicle.

Toyota has equipped the 2024 Land Cruiser with a suite of state-of-the-art off-roading technologies. This includes full-time four-wheel drive, a center locking differential, electronically-controlled two-speed transfer case, and an electronic locking rear differential. Wheels and tires are sized 18 inches, the latter being street-biased Yokohama Geolandars.  Additional technologies such as CRAWL Control, Downhill Assist Control, and a three-setting Drive Mode Select system are standard, enhancing the SUV’s capability on various terrains.

The Land Cruiser version gains advanced off-roading capabilities supported by the Multi-Terrain Monitor with cameras and Multi-Terrain Select, along with a unique Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism and a roof rack. The slightly more attractive 18-inch wheels are shod with Michelin LTX tires which are only slightly less street-biased. The Premium Package further elevates the Land Cruiser image with 20-inch alloy wheels and more aggressive tires however it’s the limited-production First Edition that best represents the SUV’s full potential with skid plates and a unique roof rack. In short, the Land Cruiser really starts from the trim of the same name – this is a strategic decision on Toyota’s behalf to upsell.

Off-road, the Land Cruiser was no more bothered by the terrain and obstacles than we might be by an itchy nose. The Multi-Terrain Select with Crawl Control can be set in various speeds and wet set, the driver need only avoid items that might scratch the paint. Otherwise, there’s no stopping the truck. With the front stabilizer bar disconnected, suspension articulation is increased once more enabling the Land Cruiser

On-road, though my time was cut short, I found the SUV to be heavy and somewhat floaty, but not uncomfortably so. I’ll need more wheel time to complete this part of the evaluation.

Pigeonholed

Comparing the New 2025 Toyota 4Runner & 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: Distinct Personalities

The return of the Toyota Land Cruiser to Canada might represent the reintroduction of a legend but it pales in comparison to another icon, the 4Runner. Though I’ve not yet driven it, based on looks alone and the fact that they share both bones and powertrain lead me to believe that 4Runner will be a more interesting buy. If pricing for the 2024 model year 4Runner is to serve as an indication, the TRD Pro version of the new 2025 truck will be priced somewhere between the 1958 and Land Cruiser with more kit and better styling.

I think that Toyota’s made a slight positioning or pricing mistake with the Land Cruiser. It’s an alternative to Land Rovers and Jeep Grand Cherokees but other than its name, it lacks the desirability factor. And it’s too damn expensive.