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the commanding road presence that made the last generation so
pleasing on the highway.
Acceleration isn’t great, but neither was it in the last version despite
its V8 engine because of its prodigious curb weight. For the record,
0-60MPH for the 2024 Land Cruiser happens in just under eight seconds.
The four-wheel drive system and Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select
make the new Land Cruiser just as capable off-road as the last version.
I didn’t take my press car off road, but many testers have, and no one
has raised concerns about how the 2024 Land Cruiser does in the dirt.
Pricing is significantly lower than it was for larger 200-series mod-
els. Base 2024 Land Cruiser models go for around $58,000 with load-
ed versions maxing out at approximately $64,000.
While the last (200 series) Land Cruiser came with a thirsty V8,
the new one has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder assisted by two
electric motors to make 326 horsepower. Its hybrid powertrain is rated
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser at 22 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway, a big improvement over the
200 series but not particularly impressive.
Not surprisingly, the interior of the new Land Cruiser lacks some of
By Stephen Schutz, MD the upscale feel that the last Land Cruiser had. To their credit, Toyota
made sure everything you see and touch inside this year’s model looks
tough and durable, even if subtracting some luxurious materials inevi-
While driving the all-new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser recently, I “sort of ” be purchased in the U.S., but in order to get it, you have to tably leaves the cabin feeling a bit spartan. And naturally, the new Land
found myself thinking about brothers. My wife and I raised three boys, buy a Lexus LX 600. Cruiser’s smaller size means that rear passengers will find themselves
and it’s interesting how you’ll see an older brother in 11th grade who’s As you might expect given all that, Toyota’s attempt to revive the with less room than before. Toyota decided not to include a third-row
mature and six feet tall with a 7th grade younger bro who’s just short Land Cruiser name for a smaller vehicle has met with mixed reviews, seat in the 2024 Land Cruiser, which reduces seating capacity to five.
and young. You’re surprised that they’re even related. Then ten years as the new version tries to balance nostalgia with a more compact, Toyota has included many standard tech features, as you’d expect.
later you’ve got 27- and 23-year-olds who are both adults and physi- eco-friendly vehicle. Here’s a closer look at the, umm, Land Cruiser A 12.3-inch touchscreen comes standard, offering Toyota’s latest info-
cally similar. America? tainment software, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safe-
That’s the new Land Cruiser and 4Runner. Three years ago, the The 2024 Land Cruiser’s design has a rugged look that draws heavi- ty features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and
Land Cruiser was a full-size SUV that started at $80,000 and had a ly on the classic second generation FJ60’s (1970s) styling. I’d call it rug- pre-collision braking are all there, too.
big V8, while the 4Runner was much smaller with a V6 and much gedly modern, and the LED headlights and assertive front grille give it So, the newest Land Cruiser and its little brother, the 4Runner,
smaller price tag. Now, after a two-year hiatus, the 2024 Land Cruiser some upscale touches. While I think the newest Land Cruiser may be have kind of merged, just like male siblings do when they’re all “growed
returns riding on the same platform as the upcoming 2025 4Runner, trying too hard to replicate the FJ60’s vibe, it’s undeniably handsome, up.” That’s a good thing with people, but it makes choosing between
uses the same drivetrain, and looks almost like the same truck, just and it’s worth noting that the boxy dimensions are good for passenger a 2024 Land Cruiser and the upcoming (slightly smaller) 4Runner a
slightly larger. and luggage space. lot more difficult than it used to be. They’re both excellent SUVs to be
For the record, the newest “real” Land Cruiser — the 300 genera- The smaller size of the 2024 Land Cruiser makes it more sure, but they’re a lot more similar than they are different.
tion — is still available in many countries around the world, and can maneuverable in tight spaces, which is good, but it loses some of
Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.

2025 4Runner 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

44 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • December 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 45