The brand new, 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller, cheaper and easier than the era that got here earlier than. It’s not fairly as succesful because the one earlier than it, which could not be the perfect information for hardcore off-roaders (although it nonetheless comes with customary, full-time four-wheel drive, rear and heart locking differentials, crawl management, varied terrain modes, and it provides a manually disconnecting stabilizer bar within the larger “Land Cruiser” trim). Alternatively, it is excellent news for people who missed the nameplate, need one other selection in rugged Toyota SUVs, and wish one thing that’s a good day by day driver that may get you a bit off the crushed path.
We spent a number of days with the Toyota Land Cruiser 1958, the bottom trim beginning at $57,400 (together with $1,450 in vacation spot charges). It makes use of the i-Power Max hybrid powertrain, which we’ve sampled in different Toyotas, and have appreciated up to now. It’s additionally fairly fundamental, particularly relating to the inside, as you’ll see within the paragraphs and images beneath. Apart from tools amount, supplies high quality is considerably decrease than what you will discover within the “Land Cruiser” trim. Laborious plastics and fabric upholstery are current as an alternative of soft-touch floor and leather-based. After all, it’s additionally $11,000 cheaper than the “Land Cruiser” (who thought that naming scheme was a good suggestion, by the way in which?). With that, listed here are a number of ideas in regards to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958.
1. Boxy is again, it appears
Automotive design goes by means of cycles, it appears, of boxy, curvy, boxy, curvy, and many others. Proper now, it’s fairly clear that we’re getting into one other angular era. As a child who grew up loving Nineteen Eighties Volvos, I’m pumped about it. It’s at all times seemed good on off-roaders, too. This Land Cruiser is a fairly good execution of it. The multitude of straight strains and sharp angles make me wish to bust out my massive son’s Lego assortment and begin constructing vehicles of my very own. Moreover, the inflexible geometry makes parts just like the round headlights and air vents actually stand out. Whether or not you really like that may rely in your private style. It’s nearly a bit too extreme of a distinction, making me simply the slightest bit uncomfortable, however I feel it finally ends up being extra enjoyable than the pixel headlights of the eponymous Land Cruiser trim.
2. The grille is cool
Simply have a look at it. It appears like some form of cage. The place every thing else as we speak appears to have some form of diamond mesh or huge, chunky bars, the grille on this Land Cruiser appears fairly wiry. The quantity of unfavorable house is off-putting, like rocks and bugs and highway particles might dive proper in there and do some injury, and make it an enormous ache within the neck to scrub. But, I nonetheless prefer it, not less than visually. I want I might substitute all of the {hardware} fabric on my rooster pen with these items, “TOYOTA” brand and all.
3. The hybrid powertrain is slick
All hail the i-Power Max! This 2.4-liter turbo mates to an eight-speed automated with an built-in electrical motor, offering a complete of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. No, it’s not as environment friendly as your common hybrid, rated at 22 miles per gallon metropolis, 25 freeway and 23 mixed, however boy is it nice to make use of. Regardless of being down on horsepower from the earlier Land Cruiser era, the additional torque makes it really feel fairly responsive round city. Whereas it could not publish very good 0-60 occasions (nor does it have to), this powertrain is super-smooth and linear. I discovered it fairly satisfying to make use of in day by day driving. Whether or not I used to be cruising leisurely, attempting to get someplace in a rush or creeping down a rutted filth highway, it at all times felt composed and unharried.
4. The inside … wow
The 1958 seems like 1985. It’s nearly spectacular how oppressive all the fabric and plastic are. How a lot grey are you able to deal with? That is finances rental-car spec. Is it bizarre that I type of prefer it?
5. However fabric seats aren’t horrible within the warmth
The climate was fairly heat after I had the Land Cruiser, and although there aren’t ventilated seats, the fabric chairs didn’t burn me like leather-based would when my pores and skin touched the upholstery. The feel of the fabric is good and ethereal, too, retaining my again from getting sweaty within the warmth. The seats arere fairly mushy, offering extra cushion than assist, which isn’t all too horrible in an upright seating place like this. I’d be curious to see how they’ll rise up over time, although.
6. The suspension is fairly good on-road
I discovered it an enormous reduction that the suspension on this Land Cruiser isn’t a complete curler coaster. Within the final Land Cruiser, no matter you placed on the entrance passenger seat was sure to finish up on the ground, whether or not it was a backpack, a water bottle or, in not less than one occasion, a bag of takeout — far more so than different vehicles underneath a lot more durable braking. Hit the accelerator, the nostril would go up. Do something extra than simply brush the brake pedal, and it felt just like the nostril was going to burrow into the bottom. It made for fairly depressing commuting.
The brand new Land Cruiser feels quite a bit much less newborn-colt-like on its ft. There’s a bit little bit of give from the entrance suspension once you get on the brakes, however it didn’t dump my total dinner on the ground between the restaurant and my home. It’s much more comfy for it, too. All that porpoising will get tiring, and I’m glad to see it gone.
7. The suspension remains to be good when the pavement ends and the highway will get rutty
Transitioning from good to poor pavement, then to no pavement in any respect, the Land Cruiser appears completely comfortable. Taking place gravel roads, filth roads and roads which might be barely roads in any respect (extra moonscapes, actually), this SUV exhibits its eagerness to maintain going additional, taking no matter you would put in its path. I’d like to take this factor to some trails up in North Michigan. I really feel prefer it might deal with them with out the youngsters shouting in discomfort about all of the jostling. If I have been going to go that route, although, I’d most likely wish to pony up for the tools on the “Land Cruiser” trim. However the 1958 is a lot good for many of the mild work you may encounter attending to a campsite or cabin within the woods … when you’re cool with that inside.