The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser is back in U.S. showrooms, but this isn't the same SUV enthusiasts once knew. The nameplate has been reborn as a smaller, more efficient, and less expensive vehicle with retro styling and modern tech.
The new formula may resonate with the previous naysayers who felt the icon had gone off course, but some passionate owners of Land Cruisers from the last few decades might recoil at what it's morphed into.
It’s All Hybrid Now
The latest Land Cruiser is exclusively a hybrid. Every trim is powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-hp electric motor built into the SUV’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined, they produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
Power comes on quickly thanks to the hybrid's electric torque, but the turbo-four isn’t as smooth as the outgoing V8. The transmission, however, is terrific, with sharp shifts cracked off at the right time.
Full-time four-wheel drive is standard, along with a two-speed electronically controlled transfer case and locking center and rear differentials. As with the outgoing 200 Series, a front locking differential isn't available. The upper trim adds an electronically controlled disconnecting front for improved off-road articulation.
The soft suspension is tuned for off-roading, but the ride on broken Midwest pavement is unsettled. Cracks and potholes can send noticeable vibrations into the cabin.
Forward and side visibility are excellent thanks to tall, upright glass and the greenhouse's overall shape, but rearward visibility is compromised by the high second-row seat backs that cover a good portion of the rear window.
Towing capacity is now 6,000 pounds, down from the previous model’s 8,100-pound rating.
Throwback Exterior Styling Pairs with Modern Tech
Toyota kept the lineup simple, with just two trims. The base Land Cruiser 1958 trim is identified by its round headlights, while the upper-trim model swaps in rectangular units.
Every Land Cruiser looks like a narrow brick with a tall greenhouse, big pieces of upright glass, and rectangular taillights. Two-tone paint is available and adds to the Land Cruiser’s throwback vibe.
The latest Land Cruiser is 193.8 inches long, about an inch shorter than the Toyota Highlander. The front and rear overhangs are short, which is great for tackling off-road obstacles, but the ground clearance is less impressive at 8.3 inches (less than a Subaru Outback's 8.7 inches).
Stepping inside, the Land Cruiser’s upright dashboard is mounted close to the windshield. Physical controls should be familiar to anyone who’s spent time in a modern Toyota. Base models get an 8.0-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, but the upper trims upsize both screens to 12.3 inches.
Thinking of going hybrid? Check out the real-world perks clearly detailed here: Benefits of Hybrid Cars.
All Land Cruisers come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Toyota’s touchscreen interface doesn't support split-screen functionality, even with the 12.3-inch touchscreen. The 8.0-inch touchscreen feels compressed by today’s standards, especially since part of the screen is reserved for digital buttons controlling navigation, audio, vehicle information, vehicle settings, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a physical volume knob, plus real toggles and buttons for the climate control and critical off-road four-wheel-drive functions.
Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 system is standard and includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, every Land Cruiser has blind-spot monitors and trailer sway control. A surround-view camera system and front cross-traffic alerts are available.
Land Cruiser Goes from Three Rows to Two
Land Cruisers seat five passengers in two rows of seats. A third row isn't available for this generation, as the hybrid system’s battery pack occupies the space below the floor where it would be bolted in. Toyota also had to raise the cargo area’s floor to accommodate the battery, resulting in a higher lift-over height for the trunk. The front seats are comfortable, with supportive cushions, but narrower than the plush chairs in the previous Land Cruiser. Base models get a tweed-like cloth upholstery, a fun throwback that feels durable, while upper trims offer leather.
Behind the second row, there’s 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and that hauling capability swells to 82.2 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded. The second row folds flat, but the rise of the cargo floor due to the battery pack eats into what would be useful cargo space. To ensure the cargo floor remained flat despite the battery’s packaging, Toyota installed a false floor near the tailgate that hides a handy storage cubby.
Fuel Economy and Pricing
Despite being a hybrid, the Toyota Land Cruiser is far from fuel efficient, with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Those numbers seem reasonably impressive on paper, especially compared to the outgoing Land Cruiser’s combined rating of 14 mpg. But in reality, those numbers aren’t always accurate. Expect to see 18 to 19 mpg in mixed suburban driving, a notable improvement over the outgoing Land Cruiser while still being very SUV-like at swilling gas.
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is on sale now. Pricing starts at $58,150 for the base trim, with the step-up model listing from $62,920. Both prices include a $1,450 destination charge.
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