2024 Toyota Land Cruiser returns with retro flair, turbo-4 hybrid powertrain

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Toyota’s legendary off-road champion, the Land Cruiser, is making a spectacular comeback in 2024, reimagined with a vintage touch and a hybrid turbo-four powertrain.

Unveiled on Tuesday, the 2024 iteration of the Toyota Land Cruiser offers a downsized structure, a more affordable price tag, and an old-school design. Upon its U.S. launch in spring 2024, it will kick off from a mid-$50,000 price point, significantly lower than its $85,000 predecessor.

This newest Land Cruiser steers away from the direction of the 200 Series model discontinued three years ago, adopting a compact size, classic aesthetic, and a reduced price tag. The updated series will feature the Land Cruiser 1958, named after its debut year in the U.S, alongside the Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser First Edition models.

The new Land Cruiser is both narrower by 4.4 inches and shorter by 1.2 inches than the previous model. Its design is a nod to the past rather than the recent models, with the base model and top-range First Edition sporting round headlights reminiscent of the 1960s 40 Series and 1980s 60 Series Land Cruisers. The middle-range model features rectangular LED headlights as a homage to the updated 60 Series, the FJ62. Each model boasts vertically aligned rectangular taillights, a hallmark of the FJ60s, and “Toyota” embossed on the grille. With its upright position, broad sides, and large glass windows, visibility should be excellent. The majority of Land Cruisers will roll out on 18-inch wheels with all-weather tires, though 20-inch wheels will be an option for the middle Land Cruiser model.

The 2024 Land Cruiser spells the end of the V-8, as every model will now be a hybrid. A 2.4-liter turbo-4 engine combined with a 48-hp electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic transmission will output 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Full-time 4WD and a 2-speed electronic transfer case are standard. The Land Cruiser will also feature a Torsen limited-slip center differential with manual locking capability, and a locking rear differential, with front sway bars added to middle and top-range models.

The new Land Cruiser, like the current 300 Series not sold in the U.S, the Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, Lexus GX, and Lexus LX, is built on the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. Each model will incorporate double wishbones at the front and twin-tube shocks with a multilink suspension at the rear.

To elevate its legendary off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser boasts an approach angle of up to 31.0 degrees, a departure angle of 22.0 degrees max, and a breakover angle of 25.0 degrees. It offers an 8.7 inches ground clearance, but in case more is needed, rock rails and high-strength steel skid plates are available. A standard tow hitch receiver can handle up to 6,000 pounds.

Toyota’s terrain management system comes standard on middle and top-end models, with Mud, Dirt, and Sand modes that can operate in both 4Hi and 4Lo. The standard Crawl Control functions like off-road cruise control, along with hill descent control.

Inside, the base 1958 model will offer heated cloth seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker audio system, and a 2,400-watt AC inverter. The mid-spec model upgrades to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker sound system, color-selectable LED fog lights from Rigid, and seats trimmed with synthetic leather. Only the top-tier First Edition will offer leather seats.

Toyota assures there will be over 100 accessories available at launch through the manufacturer, including off-road recovery equipment and racks.

All Land Cruiser models will come equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. An optional surround-view camera system will be available.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

More about 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

• Toyota Land Cruiser Official Website
• 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Reviews
• Toyota’s Future Hybrid Cars
• Toyota New Model Announcements
• Toyota Safety Features
• Land Cruiser History