Toyota Land Cruiser 2024: the return of a rugged, adventurous icon
A symbol of robustness and durability, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a legendary vehicle that entered the North American market 65 years ago. After leaving Canada in the 1990s (in favor of the Lexus LX), it makes its comeback here for the 2024 model year.
Positioned between the new Grand Highlander and the Sequoia, it will be produced at the Tahara plant in Japan and delivered from next spring. What does this mean for the 4Runner? It remains in the catalog for the time being, but its replacement, due in 2025, should compete more directly with the Jeep Wrangler.
Exclusively hybrid
Built on Toyota's TNGA-F truck platform, the new Land Cruiser is tough as nails. In terms of dimensions, it measures 4.92 meters long, 2.14 meters wide and 1.86 meters high, with ground clearance reaching 220 mm and 18-inch wheels on all models. In fact, it has much in common with the Lexus GX 2024 unveiled in June.
Unlike the latter, however, the Land Cruiser doesn't offer a twin-turbo V6, adopting instead a new version of Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. We're talking about a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and a 1.87 kWh battery. Together, they generate 326 hp and an impressive 465 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, it's still too early for fuel consumption figures.
Power is handled by an eight-speed automatic gearbox, followed by a four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case and locking differentials at the center and rear. A trailer hitch is included as standard, and towing capacity is up to 6,000 lbs.
Like a life-size toy
The style of the Toyota Land Cruiser 2024 is the result of a collaboration between the Japanese parent company and Toyota's Calty design center in California. It follows four main themes: authentic, reliable, timeless and professional. As far as we're concerned, it simply pays homage to its ancestors and looks like a life-size toy. There are seven colors on the palette, two of which (Trail Dust and Heritage Blue) are accompanied by a contrasting Grayscape roof.
The more retro-looking 1958 version retains the circular headlights and "TOYOTA" grille of the past, while the others have slimmer rectangular headlights similar to those on the FJ62. Towing hooks are of course found at the front, under the bumper, and underbody skid plates to ensure the health of vital components.
A new front suspension with double wishbones and twin-tube shock absorbers and a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs give the Land Cruiser its composure. An electronically decoupled front stabilizer bar is available for improved articulation over rough terrain. Incredible but true: the brake discs are almost as big as the wheels, measuring 17 inches at each end.
A resolutely modern and utilitarian interior
Inside, the Land Cruiser 2024 seats five, so there's no third row. The driver and front passenger have access to Toyota's new multimedia system on an 8" or 12.3" touchscreen (depending on the version), which also serves as a multi-terrain display. Seats are available in black fabric, black synthetic leather or Java (brown).
Further details on equipment for the Canadian market will be announced at a later date, including the special launch edition. Finally, the Land Cruiser 2024 is equipped with Toyota's most advanced and comprehensive safety system to date (Safety Sense 3.0), and will be available with over a hundred off-road and expedition accessories.
What will the prices look like? Good question. The only hint Toyota gives at the moment is a starting point of around $55,000 US, just below the Sequoia. The latter starts at just over $76,000 in Canada.
