U.S.-spec 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is exclusively Hybrid [Update]

Update: Entire story updated.

Despite global emission norms tightening with every passing year and the heightening emphasis of governments on manufacturers to launch EVs, some off-roaders have managed to hang on. Such is the case of Toyota’s go-anywhere SUV Land Cruiser Prado, which has been redesigned and announced in the U.S. as the Land Cruiser J200 successor. Here’s everything we know about the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser:

Design

The all-new Toyota Land Cruiser embraces a traditional, old-school 4×4 aesthetic with a boxy, square body. It has a shape similar to the third-gen Lexus GX, which was unveiled in June 2023. It features a modern-tough exterior that expresses the same ruggedness and authentic 4×4 style of the outgoing model. It’s not hard to tell there’s a good amount of reminiscence of the Toyota Compact Cruiser EV, a concept Toyota revealed in December 2021.

Front

There are two personas of the new off-road SUV, both with a front fascia for a unique character. Both are retro-styled, but one’s more so than the other.

The first version has the iconic round headlights inspired by early Land Cruisers. This design is available in a ‘1958’ grade and a ‘First Edition’ grade. The former commemorates the first year Toyota sold the first Land Cruiser (a 20-series model) in the U.S. The First Edition grade is limited to 5,000 units, all of which will be built during the first two months of production.

The other version also has the charm of a classic SUV, but in a slightly more modern take, giving the vibes of the 1970-2000 period. It features rectangular headlights reminiscent of the 60-series Land Cruiser, in a three-element look. This version is available in a grade simply called ‘Land Cruiser.’ Between the two versions, this is closer to the Compact Cruiser EV concept, especially when specified in the Heritage Blue paint and seen from the front.

While the color coding has some differences, the rest of the design is common to both variants. Compared to the outgoing model (J150), which was not sold in the U.S., the front fascia is more upright. The new radiator grille has a classic design and features a block-lettered brand inscription to go with the retro theme. The lower air intake has a similar shape and design.

Side

Toyota has used a segmented front bumper to make the SUV easy to repair. Tall, squarish areas of the bumper below the headlamps house fog lamps, which are becoming rare in today’s world but are still an essential part of a 4×4 vehicle’s character. The 1958 grade has regular fog lamps, while the Land Cruiser grade comes with color selector fog lamps from LED and light bar specialist Rigid Industries.

The side profile of the next-gen Prado looks identical to third-gen Lexus GX. It has the same design for the A- and D-pillars, the angular wheel arches, the squarish windows and quarter glass panels, and most likely even the door panels. Unique alloy wheel designs help differentiate the Toyota and Lexus models.

Rear

At the rear, the 2024 Prado features new vertical tail lamps reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Montero that was sold in the U.S. (until MY2006). The new tail lamps are flatter and boxier than those of the outgoing model. The tailgate is completely new and features a cleaner design.

Interior

Inside, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser stays simple yet modern. This is the best interior we’ve seen in any Toyota SUV in recent years. The dashboard and steering wheel are properly chunky and make sure the driver and passengers get an authentic SUV vibe even inside the vehicle. The round AC vents on the outer ends and the rectangular central AC vents, which have been placed together in a protruding section, give an old-school look to the dashboard.

The instrument cluster is a customizable LCD panel placed deep in a binnacle for improved visibility during the daytime. Depending on the grade an 8.0- or 12.3-inch touchscreen flanks the fully digital instrument cluster, displaying the content of the Toyota Audio Multimedia System, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota has placed the power button and volume knob of this infotainment system in the right-side area of the instrument binnacle, on the same vertical axis as the engine start/stop button. This unique placement makes the infotainment system easier to access for the driver.

Qi wireless charging pad, 4G AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot, dual USB-C charging ports (front and rear), 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, etc. are some of the highlights of the interior. On the safety front, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) are standard. The TSS 3.0 suite of active safety and convenience systems includes the following features:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
• Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Road Sign Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Proactive Driving Assist

Platform

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, internally called J250, sits on the new TNGA-F global truck platform. The TNGA-F debuted in Land Cruiser 300 in 2021. Now, the Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Tacoma also use this base, all three of which are available as a hybrid.

The new frame is 50% more rigid and the combined body and frame rigidity is 30% greater. These are improvements compared to its actual predecessor (J150) sold in other markets, not the previous Land Cruiser (J200) sold in the U.S. Customers who have driven that overseas model will notice improved responsiveness, handling, and ride comfort as well as dramatically improved off-road performance.

SDM and 4WD system

The 2024 Land Cruiser is the first Land Cruiser equipped with electric power steering, which makes it easier and more comfortable to drive, no matter what the terrain is. Stabiliser with Disconnection Mechanism, a Toyota-first feature, allows the driver to disconnect the front anti-roll bar. This feature can improve off-roading, and it can be used by a dedicated ‘SDM’ button on the center console.

All the grades of the 2024 Land Cruiser have a full-time 4WD system with a center locking differential and an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case with high/low range. The 4WD system features automatic limited-slip differential and vehicle stability control as well. Also standard is an electronic locking rear diff, which can equalize the power between the axles.

Multi-Terrain Select

The Multi-Terrain Select system, which can be used in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low, is standard on the Land Cruiser grade. The Crawl Control function and the Downhill Assist Control feature are standard on the 2024 Land Cruiser. Multi-Terrain Monitor displays any potential obstacles on the terrain on the available 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Suspension

The all-new Land Cruiser has a newly developed double-wishbone front suspension with twin-tube shocks and a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs. Stopping power comes from 17-inch disc brakes, both at the front and the rear.

Powertrain

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser employs the i–Force Max hybrid powertrain as standard. The T24A-FTS 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine is complemented by a 48-hp electric motor, which is integrated into a Direct Shift 8-speed automatic transmission and gets its juice from a 1.87 kWh NiMH battery pack.

The hybrid powertrain generates 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. This represents a significant upgrade when compared to the outgoing model’s non-electrified 2.7-liter naturally aspirated gas engine, which delivers 120 kW (161 hp) and 246 Nm (181 lb.-ft.) of torque in Japan. Toyota says it will reveal the fuel economy estimates closer to launch. A trailer hitch is standard, and it’s possible to tow up to 6,000 lbs. across the range.

Aspect\Specification	1958	Land Cruiser	Land Cruiser First Edition
Length	193.7 in.	193.7 in.	193.7 in.
Width (incl. mirrors)	84.2 in.	84.2 in.	84.2 in.
Height	73.2 in.	73.2 in.	73.2 in.
Wheelbase	112.2 in.	112.2 in.	112.2 in.
Ground Clearance	8.7 in.	8.7 in.	8.7 in.
Running Ground Clearance	8.3 in.	8.3 in.	8.3 in.
Approach/Breakover/Departure Angle	30º/25º/22º	31º/25º/22º	31º/25º/22º
Wheels	18-in. alloy	18-in. alloy (20-in. alloy opt.)	18-in. alloy
Tires	245/70R18	265/70R18 (265/60R20 opt.)	265/70R18
Engine	T24A-FTS 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline	T24A-FTS 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline	T24A-FTS 2.4-liter turbocharged gasoline
Transmission	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Battery Pack	1.87 kWh NiMH	1.87 kWh NiMH	1.87 kWh NiMH
Drivetrain	Full-time 4xr with two-speed transfer case	Full-time 4xr with two-speed transfer case	Full-time 4xr with two-speed transfer case
Power	326 hp	326 hp	326 hp
Torque	465 lb.-ft.	465 lb.-ft.	465 lb.-ft.
Towing Capacity	6,000 lbs.	6,000 lbs.	6,000 lbs.

Land Cruiser Fuel Cell

According to a report Mag-X released in the May 2023 issue of its magazine, Toyota may launch a Fuel Cell variant of the Land Cruiser (J250) in the model’s long-term strategy. Where there is hydrogen infrastructure, for vehicles that are heavy and intended for long journeys, and in remote places, hydrogen fuel cell technology may be more suitable than battery electric technology. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles have the advantage of high energy density, rapid refueling, and minimal range loss in low temperatures.

Price & release date

Prices of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will start in the mid-USD 50,000 range. Manufactured in Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tahara and Hino plants in Japan, it will begin arriving in U.S. dealerships in Spring 2024.

TopElectricSUV says

In its segment, few vehicles can match what the 2024 Land Cruiser offers in terms of capabilities, durability, and reliability. Its robust, body-on-frame construction that gives it exceptional strength has earned it lifelong-loyal fans worldwide, many of whom have proudly owned and used it for hundreds of thousands of miles.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is expected to be a massive upgrade from its predecessor (J150). Powertrains — both conventional and hybrid setups — should receive a boost in efficiency without sacrificing performance, while modern design, new connectivity, and equipment bring the SUV well into the 21st century.

The emergence of crossovers and strict emission norms are claiming traditional heavyweight off-road SUVs one by one — Toyota’s own FJ Cruiser has had to deal with this — but there will continue to be exceptions, and the 2024 Land Cruiser is certainly one of them!

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser FAQs

Featured Image Source: Toyota Motor Corporation