2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Review Round Up: Boxy SUV Rules the Dunes, but Is It Worth More than a 4Runner?
The Land Cruiser is back in a smaller, boxier package that aims to be better both on and off-road. Does it succeed?
The Land Cruiser is back after a brief absence. Some of our favorite YouTube car channels have had a chance to get their hands on it, and their opinions have been overwhelmingly positive. That said, many are confused about the new Land Cruiser’s place in the Toyota lineup. Let’s get into some specifics, and see what they observed.
First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: the 2024 Land Cruiser may be dramatically cheaper than the outgoing previous generation. But it’s still expensive. The base Land Cruiser 1958 starts at $55,950, and that’s with cloth seats. However, Throttle House may have put it best when they explained why buyers will gladly fork over the cash. If you need to go somewhere off the beaten path and ensure that you make it back, the Toyota Land Cruiser is likely the ideal tool for the job.
Mere minutes after making this statement, the duo caught air over a dune, cracked the radiator, and managed to drive several hours home with no ill effects. They may be on to something here.
Smaller, But Better
It’s also true that this newest Land Cruiser is smaller than the previous model. According to Redline Reviews, that’s by design. By his estimation, the 200 series Land Cruiser lost sight of its roots, growing too large, too luxurious, and too expensive for its own good.
That said, the market positioning of this Land Cruiser is unusual. Unlike the 4Runner, the Land Cruiser isn’t available with a third row. Load up the options, and it’s dangerously close in price to a Lexus GX 550 Overtrail.
The Fast Lane Car found themselves wrapped up in the exact same conundrum. They reached the conclusion that, while there is some overlap, there’s space for all three in the lineup. In simpler terms, Land Cruiser pricing begins where 4Runner pricing will likely end, and ends where Lexus GX pricing begins. There’s something for everyone in the off-road ready Toyota SUV lineup, from just about any price point.
The ever detail-oriented Doug DeMuro points out a subtle difference between the new Land Cruiser interior and the new 4Runner interior. Both have a very upright, trucklike seating position and interior fittings. However, the 4Runner seems more flashy and off-road-focused to him, while the Land Cruiser’s interior styling is more subdued.
Our favorite Canadian reviewers, TheStraightPipes, had high praise for the new Land Cruiser’s off-road performance. Even in base trim, it’s a highly capable vehicle. You might expect that off-road prowess to result in poor on-road handling, but that’s not the case here. They praise the comfort and poise of the suspension on-road, too. It’s a good all-rounder, even without the fancy luxury features of the Lexus GX.
They might be on to something. At the end of the day, maybe it’s best to just relax and enjoy the ride – and those cool round headlights.
Photos: Toyota
