The last time Toyota sold the Land Cruiser in North America, the previous generation was a full-size SUV paired with the Lexus LX. However, with the discontinuation of the J300 Land Cruiser, the current LX 600 now stands alone, no longer challenged by any Toyota counterpart.
Toyota chose to reintroduce the Land Cruiser nameplate in the mid-size segment, based on the TNGA-F platform, aligning it with the Lexus GX instead.
Known as the Land Cruiser Prado in some regions, and also as the Land Cruiser 250, this new off-road Toyota faces high expectations. Notably, Toyota has simplified the lineup, offering the 2024 Land Cruiser in three grades, with pricing starting at $55,950 (plus a $1,495 destination fee).
The base model, Land Cruiser 1958, features three color options and an estimated fuel economy of 22/25 mpg. The lineup also includes a squarer Land Cruiser priced at $61,950 and the flagship First Edition at $74,950, both sharing the same powertrain—a 326-hp i-Force Max inline-four hybrid setup with 465 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed ECT-I automatic transmission.
In comparison, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 starts at $64,250 and offers six trim levels, ranging up to $81,250 for the flagship variant. The significant differences lie in the powertrains; while both models offer similar power levels, the Lexus GX 550 boasts a 349-hp and 479 lb-ft V35A-FTS 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6.
The choice between the two may hinge on preferences for powertrain and pricing, with the Land Cruiser offering heritage styling and a more affordable option.
Toyota continues to offer the 2024 4Runner, starting from $40,705, with a traditional V6 engine. However, the Land Cruiser seems to strike a balance between the ruggedness of the 4Runner and the luxury of the Lexus GX. With the impending release of the 2025MY 4Runner, the current balance among these models may shift.
Toyota emphasizes the Land Cruiser’s off-road capabilities, including various features such as a new front stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism, Multi-Terrain Select, and upgraded Crawl Control function, among others.
Inside, the 2024 Land Cruiser offers modern technology features, including Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system, wireless smartphone compatibility, and a range of connectivity options.
