Legends live forever. For the 2024 model year, Toyota's most enduring moniker and iconic off-road vehicle will make a triumphant return to North America, returning to its tough roots. From the iconic two-door models like the 40 Series with its fold-down front windshield, white roof, and rear jump seats to the capable yet fully loaded 200 Series, which was the last generation to be sold in the States and combined Land Cruiser's unbreakable strength with top-of-the-line luxury features, the Land Cruiser has evolved over the years since its introduction in the U.S. market in 1958. With its comeback as a high-quality off-road vehicle at a more reasonable price point that will take a larger variety of consumers on countless wilderness experiences across the world, Land Cruiser now maintains true to its origins.
The new Land Cruiser is built, manufactured, and tested to withstand in the most hostile circumstances. It is based on the TNGA-F global truck platform. For this new generation, the top-of-the-line i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain with 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque is the only option for the Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser boasts off-road technology that first appeared on the most recent generation of Toyota vehicles. It is smaller and thinner than the outgoing 200 Series model, making it more manoeuvrable on the trails. The Land Cruiser will be available in a First Edition grade that has two new two-tone paint colours and more off-road gear, with a manufacturing cap of 5,000 units for the first two months.
After a three-year absence, Land Cruiser is back in the American market using the international TNGA-F body-on-frame platform. By using high-strength steel with blanking and laser welds, this innovative ladder frame enables the chassis to be stiffer than the 200 Series model. The new Land Cruiser is 4.4 inches slimmer and 1.2 inches shorter than the current 200 Series for greater off-road capability.
The worldwide development team and Toyota's North American design office, CALTY Design Research, collaborated extensively to define the new Land Cruiser's design approach. The design team chose four important criteria to guide the development: genuine, dependable, timelessly elegant, and professional.
The 1958 grade's famous circular LED headlights and "TOYOTA" heritage grille complete the classic Land Cruiser design, while later Land Cruiser classes upgrade to headlights with a thin, FJ62-inspired shape. The A-pillar is moved back to improve outward visibility on the trails as well as to compliment the squared body shape that mimics vintage Land Cruisers. Additionally, the front overhang is reduced for an easier approach.
The new Land Cruiser i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is standard across all trim levels and combines a 48-hp electric motor built into an eight-speed transmission with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and 1.87 kWh NiMH battery pack to produce a system output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft of torque. Estimates of fuel efficiency will be released closer to the launch of the Land Cruiser.
All Land Cruisers come standard with a centre locking differential, a two-speed transfer case with high/low range, and a full-time four-wheel drive system. The system also includes an automated limited-slip differential (Auto LSD) and vehicle stability control (VSC). All Land Cruisers come equipped with an electromechanical locking rear differential, which may assist in distributing power evenly to the rear wheels for improved traction.
The Land Cruiser has always been a legendary off-road vehicle, and this latest version carries on that tradition. On Land Cruiser and First Edition grades, a brand-new front stabiliser bar disconnect that enhances flex at the touch of a button is standard. Land Cruiser has a maximum departure angle of 22.0 degrees, a maximum approach angle of 31.0 degrees, and a breakover angle of 25.0 degrees. There is up to 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Customers of Land Cruisers may upgrade their vehicles with full coverage high-strength steel skid plates and rock rails for off-road protection. Front tow/recovery hooks are a need for off-road recovery. Fog lights, which improve vision overall, are included as standard equipment on the Land Cruiser 1958 grade straight from the factory. Upgraded RIGID fog lights with a colour selection are available on Land Cruiser models.
The Land Cruiser comes standard with Multi-Terrain Select, which is now usable in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low and provides changeable settings to assist in reducing wheel spin on a range of terrains such as Mud, Dirt, and Sand. By acting as a low-speed, off-road cruise control, the CRAWL Control function—which is a standard feature—allows the driver to concentrate on driving while the system maintains one of five selected speeds. Another common off-road function is Downhill Assist Control, which reduces the vehicle's speed to assist the driver in negotiating descents. The Multi-Terrain Monitor, which is standard on the Land Cruiser grade, allows drivers to see possible hazards that are lurking on the route and may display sharply on the optional 12.3-inch touchscreen.
The Land Cruiser is the most recent hybrid model in Toyota's inventory to bear the Beyond Zero label as part of the company's varied strategy for working toward a carbon-neutral future. Toyota now provides consumers with a selection of 16 electric cars. Toyota has more options than any other automaker for customers to lessen their carbon footprint, with twelve hybrid models, two plug-in hybrid models, the bZ4X battery electric vehicle, and the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Mirai.
