2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 - Bottom Line Review

SAFARI GRADE OVERLAND GO-TO:

There is a quip about taking an African safari in a the historic chopped top Land Rover Defenders, made ubiquitous by Royal colonial expeditions and the film "Born Free." Any outfitter who is genuinely concerned with mobile survival in the harsh Serengeti brings along a trusty, durable Toyota Land Cruiser as back-up. Both overland utility trucks were inspired by post Second World War Willys Overland MB "Jeeps." The original 1955 Toyota FJ20 civilian model, was actually more faithful to the Willys Jeep Station Wagon.

In 1984, Toyota split off from the established Land Cruiser truck with the introduction of the light duty J70 Land Cruiser "Prado" line. That sport utility vehicle did not appear in the North American market until two decades later, as the Lexus GX470 re-branding of the third generation J120 Prado. Meanwhile, the full-size wagon van Land Cruiser continued for four more generations in the United States. However, by 1996, the J80 based Lexus LX450 began to cast a shadow over the Toyota branded Land Cruiser.

The all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 is the brand's Fall of the Berlin Wall reunification moment. Rather than Wartburgs, for the first time American Toyota showrooms would unify Yankees with the previously forbidden SUV fruit known by any other name as "Prado."

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WHAT: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 iForce MAX 4x4 two row, full-sized sport utility vehicle, succeeds the J200 series. The new North America market Toyota Land Cruiser has split from the flagship J300 (available only as the Lexus LX 600 in the U.S.). That leaves the XK80 Sequoia as the exclusive large body-on-frame, three-row SUV in American Toyota showrooms. Built on the TNGA-F body on frame platform, the latest Land Cruiser is a J250 "Prado" series, lining up the three-row J252 Lexus GX.

WHAT MOTIVATES:

All 2024 Toyota Land Cruisers are powered by the iForce MAX battery electric motor supplemented turbocharged petrol DOHC inline-four engine, mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic planetary transmission and electronic two-speed Torsen differential transfer case.

• POWERTRAIN HITS and MISSES:
• +1 More emphatic torque; Multitude of drive modes; Pronounced gear shifts,^{(Sport S, Sport+ modes)}
• +/- Four banger power & sounds (hybrid turbo V-6 only available on the Lexus GX 550)
• -1 Long throttle step-in; Fuel economy less than advertised;^{(though still competitive)} Piped into cabin by audio system exhaust growl under throttle; No offroad / trail or regenerative drive mode(s)

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): Moving the newest North America market Toyota Land Cruiser from Lexus LX flagship 300 Series twin to 250 Series Prado hearkens back to pre- J80 era all terrain utility vehicle. A comprehensive re-design would have to evoke authentic ruggedness and invoke some J40 nostalgia. Curiously, though, the heritage round headlamps from the bare bones 1958 trim are replaced by rectangular segmented lenses on the tested and expected volume selling "LC." Notably, the "T" emblem has been replaced by "TOYOTA" inside and out.

Muscularity begins with slab sided body, starkly tall greenhouse, and dual tall shouldered spill-over hood. Against the grain of modern Toyotas, the slim upper grille is split from the lower intake by a center bumper strip flanked by broad body color chins. More modern is a the segmented thin LED headlighting and variable mode white- driving, amber- fog lower corner LEDs.

In the tested 2024 Land Cruiser, an accessory overland pack rack topped white spill-over roof, including rear spoiler, contrasts with the robin's egg Heritage Blue A and D pillars. Middle pillars and door hardware is darkened. Wheel arch cladding takes a segmented angular approach. From the split C pillar aft, the beltline rises, taking on a lateral character crease.

Allowing for the flip-open upper liftgate glass, the rear lamps are stacked at the aft quarters. A piano gloss black center handle reigns above the lower-gate license plate bowl and decline.

Dark plastic cladding comprehensively drapes the lower perimeter, rising at the front fenders and rear quarter panels. Front and rear plastic simulated skid plates fill the front center splitter and rear center diffuser. Dark running boards are permanently deployed. -1 Door mount wing mirrors lack useful width.

WHY: Toyota re-positions the latest Land Cruiser from poor selling luxury flagship to rugged purposed modern Prado.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Spring 2024

WHERE: Toyota new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Hamura, Tokyo, Japan

WHERE TO: Full time four-wheel drive, with an electronic two-speed transfer case and locking rear differential is standard in the 2024 Land Cruiser. A twist of the chunky corporate transfer case selector knob, relocated to the center console, garners high four-wheel drive on the fly. Tapping the left button on that is but a twist of the electronic two-speed helical gear transfer case selector knob. On the trail articulation is generous, and the powertrain / drivetrain skidplates re-assuring, however the highway terrain Dunlop Grandtrek P22's won't conquer less firm surfaces.

• MULTI-TERRAIN SELECT: adjusts throttle + transmission for Loose rock, Mud, or Sand conditions
• TWO SPEED PLANETARY TRANSFER CASE
• TORSEN CENTER DIFFERENTIAL for full time Four Wheel Drive
• e-LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL
• CRAWL Mode low traction automatic acceleration & braking
• Twin tube dampers
• Terrain cameras, vehicle attitude, traction displays
• Automatically disengaging front stabilizer bar
• Steel front bash plate,powertrain + drivetrain, fuel tank skid plates
• Under body rock rails
• Off road driving lights

HOW ROADWORTHY: All Land Cruiser 250s come with the brand's Hybrid MAX turbo straight-four petrol powerplant, which not only consistently scores in the low 20 mile per gallon range but also delivers gobs of low speed punch. As blissfully quiet as it goes about highway jaunts, the 8-speed automatic excels at imperceptible gear handoffs without much haste.

• -1 Annoying instrument cluster warning to "Depress Brake Pedal Firmly" to actuate engine idle start/ stop.
• -1 Some tire and wind noise penetrates the cabin, which is why the Lexus TX cousin exists.

HOW LIMBER: On paper, the 2024 Land Cruiser front chassis, with it's tamed live-rear axle, is closely related to the Tacoma pick-up truck. Yet on the road, the set-up tames the live rear axle well, and offers less stiffly sprung ride compliance, while the conventional dampers impart a smooth highway ride, filtering most jarring impacts to the large 20" wheels.

The front double wishbone control arms and the auto-disconnecting front stabilizer bar provide plenty of hill climb departure articulation. Although electric power steering assist on the rack imparts little road feel, the helm bears appropriate heft. Four piston front brake calipers emit consistent feel on the firm side.

HOW FAR: 21 mpg combined fuel economy; 437 miles highway range on 87 octane unleaded gasoline

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ Effectively a full-size two-row body-on-frame SUV; √ Space for five average sized occupants; √ 2nd Row 60/40% reclining seating

• By Comparison:
  • 112.2" Wheelbase: 6.8" < Land Rover Defender 110
  • 36.7" Row 2 legroom: 2.4" < Land Rover Defender 110
  • 37.5 cubic feet cargo bay: 10% > Land Rover Defender 110
  • 6000 lb. towing rating: 28% < Land Rover Defender 110

HOW USEFUL: √ 2nd Row 60:40% split elevated folding seatbacks; √ Cargo bay access 2nd Row 60:40% split jacknife seating; √ Cargo bay fore & aft subfloor bins; √ Power liftgate - 20% lighter than before; √ Flip open rear backlight; √ Cabin A & B pillar grab handles; √ Trailer tow hitch connector, brake control, back-up guide & braking;

• Aft cargo bay wall armrests, cup holders, USB power ports (deleted Lexus GX 550 3rd Row seating vestiges)

♦ 1st & 2nd Row door pocket management; ♦ 1st Row overhead capacitive area segmented cabin map lights control

• +1 Deep center armrest w/ cooled storage bin
• Accessory roof rack - 165 pounds dynamic rating
• -1 Tall liftgate; Distant reach to glove box; No power remote cargo bay 2nd row seatback fold releases; No 1st Row overhead sunglasses bin

HOW SAFE: IIHS - Not tested (related Toyota Tacoma pickup earned Top Safety Pick rating).

STANDARD: √ 8 airbags; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Audible rear park assist; √ Roll mitigation

Driver assist technology: √ STANDARD Toyota SafetySense 3.0 = Pedestrian & daytime cyclist detection braking; Forward collision avoidance braking; Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning; Lane departure; Road edge & Sway Warning, Lane Keep Assist; Lane tracing + driver inattention emergency stopping; Adaptive cruise control - full; Automatic High Beam headlights; 2nd Row occupant minder

• AVAILABLE (included in test vehicle)
  • ♦ Multi-Terrain view cameras; ♦ Blind Spot, rear cross traffic warning; ♦ Front & rear sonar audible/ visible park warning; ♦ Digital display rear view mirror; ♦ Head Up Display; ♦ Traffic sign display
• -1 annoying "Sit Up, Face Not Detected" driver attention monitor instrument cluster warning

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:  Inside the new 2024 Land Cruiser there is a mix of contemporary Toyota furnishings. Dashboard decor stands on the car side of the things, with a Toyota Crown unified gauge cluster and panoramic media display, in a larger frame extending to a padded tucked seam mid dash shelf, and the familiar gloss black button climate control array. Radial style corner climate vents look so GR 86 sport coupe.

The first row center console, which handles the off-road roles, veers looks the new Tacoma truck, with a twist. It parses the Taco's over-sized rotary knob to a mil-style toggle for 4x4 modes. Terrain / drive modes are relocated to push buttons on a driver's side canted ledge. Diiferential lock switch buttons remain at the console.

Plush touch points are car plentiful in the new J250 Land Cruiser and, although material selection is less rich and robust than in previous J200 Lexus LX shared Land Cruisers, the space is quiet. Disappointingly, in this automotive epoch of "easter eggs," the homage to the FJ series heritage is limited to "TOYOTA" lettering on the steering wheel boss.

√ Softex seats, 1st Row heated, cooled, 8-way power, lumbar, 2-position driver memory; √ Pillar grab handles x 2 (2nd Row); √ 12.3" variable Digital Meter instrument cluster; √ Power locks, windows, express driver's; √ Proximity keyless entry, push button ignition; √ power Tilt/ telescoping, heated leather wrapped steering wheel + horizontal spoke ventral side MFI & driver assist controls; √ 3-zone auto climate control w/ 2nd Row console controller; √ 2nd Row heated seats; √ 2nd Row privacy glass + sunshades; √ Cupholders x 6, Bottle holders x 12; √ Head Up Display; √ Center console cold storage; √ Power moonroof - 1st Row

• +1 Wide center armrest; Generous steering wheel reach adjustment;
• -1 Minimal seat torso support, flat cushions

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Multi-terrain Camera; √ Digital video rear view mirror; √ 12.3" inch Multi Information Display dual side variable information, drive mode influenced TFT instrument cluster + navigation map migration; √ Toyota Connected Wake Up query powered by Google browser; √ Cockpit overhead touch trace activated 1st & 2nd Row LED lighting

Details Done Right: √ Fully padded, tucked seam tiered dash board, and lower center stack saddle; √ Chestnut brown pebbled seat covering, matching door + center console armrests; √ Tight mesh headliner; √ Rubber tipped transfer metal case toggle switch; √ White ambient footwell lighting

Nearly Non-Descript: Sub waist coarse grain cabin panels; Plain upper door card inserts

HOW CONNECTED: √ Toyota Connected 12.3" landscape touch LCD media screen, in a shared frame with the instrument cluster; √ Voice command, hands-free communications x 6 devices; √ Bluetooth hands-free communications x 2 phones; √ GPS HDD cloud Navigation w/ 3-D map, voice guidance, Google POI data, OTA updates; √ 10-speaker, 250 Watts HD radio streaming audio; √ SMS voice to text messaging; √ USB-C x 6, 12V x 1; 2400W 120V AC x 1 (cargo bay); √ Qi inductive wireless device charging pad x 2 devices

• +1 Toyota Connected infotainment user interface enhances intuitive voice command functions
• Drive Connect "Hey Toyota" system voice interaction, Google queries
• -1 Non-concealed forward center console wireless device storage shelf
• -1 Low instrument cluster & infotainment display color contrast

HOW AUDIBLY: √ 800 watt, 8-speaker, 8 channel JBL Quantum-Logic DTS + Clari-Fi premium audio, HD Radio streaming audio = limited depth, muddy artifacts ^{(250 watt, 10 speaker 4-channel streaming audio standard)}

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:

Free Apps: ♦ Toyota Connected; ♦ wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay projection ♦ Amazon Alexa

By Subscription (trial): ♦ Sirius XM radio (3 months); ♦ WiFi by AT&T (2 GB trial); ♦ Toyota Connected Services including remote functions (3 years); ♦ available Connected Navigation

• -1 Toyota Connected voice query occasionally hiccups

HOW MUCH: $71,459 = as tested 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 M.S.R.P^{($57,345 1958 Edition)}

WHAT'S MISSING: More supportive & pliant bucket seats; Wider field of view wing mirrors

ANY COMPETITION: INEOS Grenadier: military look and control operation; Jeep Grand Cherokee: smooth ride, more car-like cabin; Land Rover Defender 110: +1 inline-6 engine, ingot grade construction, off-road displays