Veteran off-roader stays true to its roots while encompassing new tech for greater efficiency and usability On sale Late 2024 Price from £55,000 (est)
Stuart Milne stuart.milne@haymarket.com
“WITH AGE COMES wisdom”, Oscar Wilde once said. And with more than 70 years of evolution behind it, the next-generation Toyota Land Cruiser SUV looks set to be the smartest yet.
The 2024 Land Cruiser blends new technologies with the resolute focus on ruggedness with which Toyota’s flagship SUV has been associated since its introduction way back in 1951. As with the most recent model, the latest iteration will be available with a choice of five or seven seats, and we expect it to be just as practical as before.
The new Land Cruiser acknowledges models from the line’s history in its styling, but does so while adding up-to-date touches, such as LED lighting, sharp creases along the bodywork and plenty of protective cladding. The previous model’s side-hinged tailgate – which could be tricky to open in tight parking spaces – makes way for a conventional top-hinged replacement.
The Land Cruiser will be launched in Prestige and Executive trim levels. There’s also a limited-run First Edition model; available only for those who reserve their car online during the pre-sales period (open now), the First Edition has additional retro styling touches, such as circular headlights and beige ‘Sand’ paintwork, all of which hark back to the original Land Cruiser of the 1950s.
The Prestige and Executive models will be a more permanent fixture in the range, and these have a less retro look, with rectangular headlights. The pair can be differentiated easily by the wheel size: 18in on the Prestige and 20in on the Executive.
All three models share the same 2.8-litre diesel engine, which develops 201bhp and is mated to a new eight-speed automatic gearbox. This combination allows the Land Cruiser to tow a braked trailer of up to 3500kg.
Next year will see the launch of the first electrified Land Cruiser when that 2.8-litre diesel engine gains mild hybrid technology to help improve fuel efficiency. The set-up will make its debut this summer in the Hilux Hybrid pick-up, in which Toyota says the technology should make a fuel saving of between 5% and 8% possible. Based on the previous Land Cruiser’s official economy figures, that should push the car beyond 30mpg.
True to the Land Cruiser’s utilitarian roots is the way it’s designed under the surface. As with the original,
