The AmericanToyota Land Cruiser is based on the Land Cruiser Prado model or the 250 series, as it is known in international markets. Offering a smaller LC version with fewer luxuries means that the American Land Cruiser is now cheaper than ever. But is it a steal or is the new LC all talk and no show? Let’s find out.
Toyota USA introduces the Land Cruiser with a starting price of $57,445. The Toyota Land Cruiser is available in three trims:
Variants
Price
Land Cruiser 1958
$55,950
Land Cruiser
$61,950
First Edition
$74,950
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Price
The First Edition is a limited production trim. Toyota USA will build only 5000 of these, and only during the Land Cruiser’s first two months of production.
Land Cruiser Interior Design:
Toyota Land Cruiser Interior Design
On the inside, the new Toyota Land Cruiser is comfortable, though the difference in appearances and the values of each trim is palpable. The First Edition, as a limited-production launch, is equipped with the best and most luxurious features and specifications.
The Land Cruiser sports SofTex covered-dashboard panels, and in general, most of the interior is covered with soft-touch plastics.
Nevertheless, the Toyota Land Cruiser is pretty well-built inside and seems sturdy enough for all those off-road excursions it might take on. Another plus is that most controls are clearly labeled physical buttons, so you don’t have to search through menus on the touchscreen display.
Though the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller than the previous 200 series, it gets a higher roof, and the interiors seem just as airy and spacious as before.
The Land Cruiser 1958 features fabric upholstery and heated, 6-way manually adjustable front seats. The Land Cruiser includes both heating and ventilation for the front seats and replaces the fabric with Toyota’s synthetic leather option, SofTex. The front passenger’s seat is 6-way manually adjustable, but the driver’s seat has 8 power-adjustable settings.
The First Edition sports high-quality leather upholstery, complete with 8-way power adjustable front row seats and standard heating and ventilation functions. The driver’s seat also gets a memory function as standard; this feature is part of the premium package add-on exclusive to the Land Cruiser trim.
Steering Wheel:
The Land Cruiser 1958 comes with a manual steering wheel, while the Land Cruiser and First Edition are equipped with more standard power steering. We don’t really see many manual steering wheels anymore; though they require a bit more effort to use, they offer more feel for the road.
All trims are equipped with heated steering and are embellished with the Toyota logo in the center.
Infotainment System:
The 2024 Land Cruiser includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Only the 1958 trim equips a smaller 8-inch screen. The entertainment includes standard features such as wireless Android Auto and AppleCarPlay connectivity, along with a 3-month SiriusXM subscription offered with most Toyota models.
The Toyota Audio Multimedia system can receive over-the-air software updates, understand voice commands, support navigation, and enable users to create three individual profiles with customized settings.
Standard audio equipment varies with each trim level; the LC 1958 has a 6-speaker audio system, the Land Cruiser includes a 10-speaker setup instead, and the First Edition features a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
Storage Space:
The Toyota Land Cruiser provides you with a pretty sizeable 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the rear. Elsewhere, you get sunglasses storage in the overhead console and a total of 12 cup and bottle holders. Yes, that means you still get cup holders for the non-existent third row, though we’re sure the extra space might be handy to store a few extra drinks.
The center console is now a cooled glovebox—a feature that some love and others don’t really appreciate. However, the coolbox is super useful if you plan on stowing away cold beverages and food items for weekend trips. Aftermarket add-ons like trays may help you store more items even more efficiently.
Climate Controls:
A three-zone automatic climate control system is standard, and the second row control panel makes it easier for passengers to quickly set their desired temperature settings. The climate system includes individual temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and second row passengers.
The new Land Cruiser is available as a 5-seater, two-row offering. Its smaller size allows you to maneuver tight spaces with ease, while its modern yet familiar design reassures you of its reliability. All trims are equipped with a black Heritage Toyota grille and Land Cruiser badging.
The Land Cruiser trim sports running boards, which make getting in and out of the car much easier while also adding a sporty look. The First Edition goes all out with special mud flaps, skid plates, and sturdy rock rails. Rock rails are usually an aftermarket addition, but they protect your car’s body from taking damage while prowling through seriously tough terrain and large obstacles like rocks. They offer great protection and are popular with those who are serious off-roaders.
The Land Cruiser 1958 trim is available in just three exterior shades: black, meteor shower, and ice cap.
Body Colors:
The Land Cruiser trim has five monotone and two duo-tone color options: Black, Underground, Meteor Shower, Wind Chill Pearl, and Ice Cap. Trail Dust and Heritage Blue are duo-tone options, exclusively available with a Grayscape-colored roof.
The First Edition has fewer color choices: Black, Meteor Shower, and the two duo-tone options you get with the mid-level Cruiser.
Headlights and Tail Lights:
The base 1958 model evokes the old-school Land Cruiser. It shows off a unique look due to its retro-style round LED headlights and a heritage Toyota grille that takes you all the way back to ‘58. It also includes LED fog lights.
The Land Cruiser’s front fascia is a smidge more modern, thanks to its rectangular LED headlights, which the First Edition swaps out for the funkier round ones. Both sport color-selectable Rigid Industries fog lights, so you can switch between warm white or warm yellow lighting.
Wheels and Tires:
The Land Cruiser 1958 is equipped with 18-inch dark gray alloy wheels and street-focused 245/70R18 tires. These are much quieter than off-road tires, but they lack the off-road prowess of all-terrain tires.
The Land Cruiser boasts 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels with thicker 265/70R18 all-terrain tires, which provide an obvious boost to your SUV’s off-road capabilities. Finally, the top-spec First Edition fits its 20-inch matte black alloy wheels with Michelin all-season LTX Trail tires as well.
Windows:
The Land Cruiser comes with powered windows and privacy glass utilized on the rear, quarter, and liftgate windows.
Roof:
The First Edition sports a powered tilt and slide moonroof and a sunshade. Its standard roof rack provides you with a lot of space and flexibility to carry a few extra bags or a bunch of fishing gear. You get a cargo basket too.
You can add a moonroof to the Land Cruiser trim too if you choose to pay for the Premium package. The Land Cruiser is equipped with standard roof rails that aren’t as heavy-duty as a roof rack but can still hold a decent amount of cargo or equipment.
The LC 1958 doesn’t get the option of a moonroof or roof rails, so if you really like the added oomph of a moonroof or are in the habit of hauling around heavy weights atop your car, this isn’t the trim for you.
Safety Features:
The Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of features. Standard safety functions include Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Tracing Assistance, Lane Departure Alert, and more.
Braking System:
The Toyota Land Cruiser features an electric parking brake, 17-inch power-assisted disc brakes in the front and ventilated ones with hydraulic brake boosters in the rear. Toyota’s standard Star Safety System adds a few features to make braking easier and safer.
Airbags:
All trims of the Toyota Land Cruiser are equipped with 9 airbags.
Powertrain Specifications:
Toyota USA has been pretty set on its low-emission strategy of converting most gasoline-powered Toyota models into hybrids. The Land Cruiser forgoes its naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8 for a Toyota hybrid i-FORCE Max powertrain.
The Land Cruiser uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder inline engine paired with two electric motors, which produce a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb. ft. of torque. For context, that’s less power than the previous LC, but with massively improved torque. This setup is also similar to the Toyota Tacoma’s powertrain.
Land Cruiser scores an EPA fuel economy of 23 mpg
Towing Capacity:
All trims of the Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 pounds and come with front and rear-mounted tow hooks. That number isn’t class-leading, but it is certainly impressive.
Top Competitors:
The Land Cruiser’s reduced size puts it in the same league as the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco. However, it offers a smoother and quieter ride than its rivals.
You can buy a feature-packed mid-level trim of the Jeep Grand Cherokee for the same price as the base model Cruiser. The Grand Cherokee boasts a nicer interior as well. The mid-level Land Cruiser competes with the Land Rover Defender 110 S and the Grand Cherokee 4xe PHEV, both of which offer more value.
Conclusion Thoughts On The New Toyota Land Cruiser:
The Land Cruiser really brings back the utilitarian aspect of the LC badge with its focus on practicality. If you want the Land Cruiser but don’t want to make do without the luxurious amenities, opt for the top-spec First Edition while you can.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I buy the Toyota 4Runner or the Toyota Land Cruiser?
If you like the Land Cruiser but it just doesn’t match your vibe, opt for the similar Toyota 4Runner instead. The LC is a sturdy, safe, and reliable vehicle that takes you through the roughest terrain without a hitch. On the other hand, the 4Runner isn’t ‘mature’; it is bold and enthusiastic and perfect for those who seek thrill, excitement, and adventure. Both Toyota SUVs are built on the same platform (though the LC is slightly taller) and also have the same hybrid powertrain. They just have really different roles and personalities, as Keita Moritsu, the chief engineer of both cars, states here.
Does the Land Cruiser come with optional third-row seating?
No, you don’t get optional third-row seating on the new Toyota Land Cruiser. Some of its top rivals, such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Lexus GX and the 4Runner, are available with third-row seating.
