TOYOTA’S ALL-NEW LAND CRUISER – DAY TRIPPER

TOYOTA’S ALL-NEW LAND CRUISER

DAY TRIPPER

Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out now
Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out now.
Lennon and McCartney – 1965

In the midst of a tortuous (ya’ think?) campaign season, here’s a twist: After a short absence from the U.S. marketplace, Toyota has reintroduced its iconic Land Cruiser with both a smaller footprint and much smaller price tag. Trump hasn’t mentioned it, and Kamala hasn’t mentioned it – but it sure-as-hell is worth mentioning. What once boasted a window sticker more appropriate to the rarified Lexus environs – at $87K and up – is now accessible at a mid-$50s price point. It’s sufficiently accessible that even those of us on fixed incomes might consider it – if, of course, the wife is still working…

I’d lost genuine affection for Toyota’s Land Cruiser and its LX sibling more than a few years ago, coincidental with both its higher price and swollen footprint.  What began as a nimble rival of Jeep’s CJ had grown into an almost Tahoe-like platform by the mid-‘90s, but it still boasted real offroad chops, and was propelled by a biggish inline six. At that point my wife and I were driving a ’98 Grand Cherokee – also with a big inline six – but I would have enjoyed owning the Land Cruiser. But the Toyota grew even larger, and received a V8 to offset that bigger size. The newer 4Runner, having also grown, seemed to slot into the spot once occupied by the midsized Land Cruiser.

For its relaunch for the 2024 model year, Toyota took its TGNA-F platform – which underpins the also all-new Tacoma – and built atop it a 2-row SUV with more-than-enough ‘sport’ and ample utility. Outwardly, the new Land Cruiser is the epitome of 2-box design. In profile there is the front clip, almost vertical windscreen, and a 4-door-with-hatch passenger/cargo combo that will swallow just about anything you wish to throw at it. And at a time when more designers are relying on cameras and radars to provide a sense of what’s lurking outside the confines of the cabin, Toyota’s team gave the greenhouse actual glass, which is delightful when seeing the sights – and avoiding State Farm’s increasingly high deductibles.

Inside, our 1958 Edition – which serves as the Land Cruiser’s base – is appointed in comfortable cloth and hard plastics. This isn’t an interior trim done by Japan in ’58; instead, it’s closer to that executed by Hyundai in ’78. I appreciate that the base trim is some $30K less dear than the last Land Cruiser in 2021, but better plastics (available – I’ll guess – on more expensive trims) would cost Toyota but a few hundred dollars – and I think consumers would pay it. I like manual seat adjustment, and the smaller infotainment screen is one I prefer, but please give me something more attractive than 1978 Korea.

There’s no argument with the accommodation, however. The seating position is upright, and everyone is given adequate leg, head and shoulder room – even the guy drawing the short straw in the middle of the rear seat. And if carrying five know there’s room for their luggage, some 38 cubic feet behind the second row and roughly 82 cubic feet when the second row is folded. Again, this is a sport with utility, and short of a Sienna minivan this is all the capability you need.

Under the hood Toyota supplies a great balance of performance and efficiency with its iForce Max hybrid 4-cylinder. With its battery-powered electric assist, the combo produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, going to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic. The 4WD system is full-time, and includes center and rear-locking differentials. Car and Driver magazine reached 60 in 7.7 seconds…and you can, also. This won’t win any pink slips, but we found the Land Cruiser capable of merging easily and, when necessary, passing comfortably. And the ride/handling balance made Toyota’s take on this platform more entertaining than the Lexus (GX550) take.

This new Land Cruiser won’t, however, seat six or seven, as the Lexus will. The hybrid battery occupies the space which would be devoted to a third row seat, and also creates a slightly higher load floor. But given the solid 20+ efficiency – the EPA estimate is 22 City/25 Highway/23 Combined – you’ll appreciate the hybrid assist every time you fill up. 

In this new edition Toyota’s design team employed both addition and subtraction. The minimalistic take on the SUV is on full display, while the return to an accessible price point is a touch of sanity in a landscape of  skyrocketing new car prices. I’d like to buy one, but until that happens will hope for a long-term test. If anyone at Toyota is reading…