The new, 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller, cheaper and more basic than the generation that preceded it. It’s not as capable as the previous one, which may not be the best news for hardcore off-roaders (although it still comes standard with full-time four-wheel drive, locking rear and center differentials, crawl control, several terrain modes and a manually disconnecting sway bar in the higher “Landcruiser” trim). On the other hand, it’s good news for people who missed the nameplate and want another choice in rugged Toyota SUVs, and you need something that is a decent everyday car that can take you a little off the beaten track.
We have spent several days with the Toyota Landcruiser 1958, the base trim starts at $57,400 (including $1,450 destination charge). It uses the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, which we’ve tested in other Toyotas and liked so far. It’s also pretty basic, especially when it comes to the interior, as you’ll see in the paragraphs and photos below. In addition to the amount of equipment, the quality of the materials is significantly lower than what you’ll find in the “Land Cruiser” trim. Hard plastics and cloth upholstery are present in place of soft-touch surfaces and leather. Of course, it’s also $11,000 cheaper than the “Land Cruiser” (who thought that naming was a good idea anyway?). Here are some thoughts on the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958.
1. Boxy is back, it seems
Car design goes through cycles it seems, of blocky, round, blocky, round, etc. At this point it’s pretty clear that we’re entering a new blocky generation. As a kid who grew up loving the 80s Volvo’sI’m excited about it. It’s always looked good on off-road vehicles. This Land Cruiser is a pretty good version of it. The multitude of straight lines and sharp angles makes me want to dig out my big son’s Lego collection and start building cars myself. Plus, the rigid geometry makes elements like the round headlights and air vents really stand out. Whether you really like that depends on your personal taste. It’s almost a bit too much contrast, making me feel a little uncomfortable, but I think it’s ultimately more fun than the pixel headlights on the Land Cruiser version of the same name.
2. The grid is cool
Just look at it. It looks like some kind of cage. Where everything these days seems to have some kind of diamond-shaped mesh or big, thick bars, the grille on this Land Cruiser looks pretty rigid. The amount of negative space is off-putting, like rocks, bugs, and road debris can all dive in and do damage, and it can be a real pain in the neck to clean. But I still like it, at least visually. I wish I could replace all the mesh on my chicken coop with this stuff, complete with the “TOYOTA” logo.
3. The hybrid powertrain is smooth
All hail the i-Force Max! This 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Sure, it’s not as efficient as your average hybrid, rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway, and 23 combined, but it’s a blast to drive. Despite having less horsepower than the previous-generation Land Cruiser, the extra torque makes it feel quite responsive around town. While it may not have stellar 0-60 times (and it doesn’t need to), this powertrain is silky smooth and linear. I found it incredibly satisfying to use in everyday driving. Whether I was cruising along, trying to get somewhere quickly, or gliding over a bumpy dirt road, it always felt composed and unhurried.
4. The interior… wow
The 1958 feels like 1985. It’s almost impressive how oppressive all that dust and plastic is. How much grey can you handle? This is a budget rental car spec. Is it weird that I kind of like it?
5. But fabric seats aren’t so bad in the heat
The weather was quite warm when I had the Land Cruiser, and while there are no ventilated seats, the cloth seats didn’t burn me like leather did when my skin touched the upholstery. The texture of the cloth is also nice and airy, which keeps my back from getting sweaty in the heat. The seats are quite soft, and offer more cushion than support, which isn’t so bad when sitting in an upright position like this. I’m curious to see how they hold up over time.
6. The suspension is quite good on the road
I was relieved to find that the suspension in this Land Cruiser isn’t a total roller coaster. In the previous Land Cruiser, anything you threw on the front passenger seat was sure to end up on the floor, whether it was a backpack, a water bottle or, in at least one case, a bag of takeout — much more so than in other cars under much harder conditions brakes. Step on the gas pedal, the nose went up. Do anything other than touch the brake pedal, and it felt like the nose was going to dig into the ground. It made for a pretty miserable commute.
The new Land Cruiser feels a lot less like a newborn foal on its feet. The front suspension gives a little when you brake, but it didn’t dump my entire dinner on the floor between the restaurant and my house. It’s also a lot more comfortable. All that jostling gets tiring and I’m glad it’s over.
7. The suspension is still good when the asphalt ends and the road becomes bumpy
The Land Cruiser seems completely at ease transitioning from good to bad roads to no roads at all. On gravel roads, dirt roads, and roads that are barely roads at all (more like moonscapes, really), this SUV shows that it’s eager to keep going, and can handle anything you can throw its way. I’d love to take this thing to some trails in Northern Michigan. I think it could handle them without the kids screaming uncomfortably at all the jostling. If I were to go that route, I’d probably want to buy the “Land Cruiser” trim level. But the 1958 is more than good enough for most light duty driving you’ll encounter going to a campground or a cabin in the woods…if you’re okay with that interior.