by Baron Wilton
posted on May 31, 2024
Welcome to the rugged royalty renaissance
While modern cars typically look nothing like you’ve ever seen before, some new models bring you right back in time. The completely redesigned Toyota Land Cruiser does just that, pairing pure driving joy with retro styling. The Land Cruiser is for those who love to drive, explore, and take the road less traveled – especially in the expanded summer daylight. Let’s take a look at Serious’s First Edition 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, our May car of the month and a new face on the Turo marketplace.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
| ENGINE | HORSEPOWER | 0 to 60 MPH | TOP SPEED | MILEAGE | DAILY PRICE* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L I4 | 326 hp | 6.4 sec | 130mph | 23 mpg | $79 |
| ENGINE | HP | 0 to 60 MPH | TOP SPEED | MILEAGE | DAILY PRICE* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L I4 | 326 hp | 6.4 sec | 130 mph | 23 mpg | $79 |
Perhaps one of the most successful automotive re-launches in the past few years was the return of the Ford Bronco. Toyota saw the demand for a practical, handsome, throwback-inspired SUV and decided to scrap their oversized, $85,000+ Land Cruiser and go back to the drawing board. The result is a more accessible and potent Land Cruiser that finally gives even the deepest Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts reason to think twice about Toyota.
The downsized Land Cruiser now has only two rows and is powered by a smaller inline-four engine rather than a bulky 5.7L V8. But that doesn’t slow this adventure vehicle down. This new iFORCE MAX hybrid engine is turbocharged and is assisted by two electric motors for a net 326 combined horsepower, a zero-to-60 mph time of just over six seconds, and significantly better fuel economy than the outgoing model.
The wildest stat may be its 465 lb-ft of torque which helps the SUV jump from a halt and stay firmly planted on the road in any condition. And if its design looks familiar to other fresh Toyotas you’ve seen on the streets, it’s because it shares Toyota’s next generation platform with the Lexus LX, GX, and upcoming 4Runner. This gives the Land Cruiser an advanced suspension but without the bulk of the last Land Cruiser.
Serious’s overlander beats the standard Bronco by 26 horsepower and has plenty of party tricks sure to impress when the Nevada roads get bumpy. The Land Cruiser has an all-wheel-drive powertrain, three driving modes, and both crawl and hill descent controls that act as speed-limiting cruise controls across complex terrains.
Walking around the Land Cruiser, you’ll notice several nods to Toyotas of the past. Serious’s First Edition trim features circular LED headlights resembling the 70-series model that has been an iconic design in Australia, Japan, and South Africa since the 1980s. The new Land Cruiser also showcases heritage “TOYOTA” script in the grille, square side mirrors, heavy-duty mudguards, and a functional roof rack behind the sunroof.
But heading inside Serious’s truck is where you’ll realize just how special this one-of-5,000 model is. For starters, the interior is completely leather, with heated and cooled seats, wireless charging, a heads-up display, and four USB charging points. A JBL surround sound system keeps the summer playlist bumping at high volumes, and the 12.3-inch infotainment display showcases wireless CarPlay and Android Auto. The rugged theme continues throughout the interior with rectangular air vents and rubber floor mats, but subtle touches like two-tone stitching and a beverage cooler makes the First Edition feel more Land Rover Defender than Toyota.
And no desert safari is complete without safety features like adaptive cruise control, rear view mirror cameras, and a 360-degree camera that shows what’s underneath the car. The previous Land Cruiser was largely unchanged since 2008 with tech that was nothing close to these newly added modern conveniences.
This refreshed generation takes the legacy from earlier models and benefits from a much needed overhaul in design, engine performance, suspension dynamics, and driving technology. Serious’s top-tier Land Cruiser honors one of the most respected nameplates of any SUV and is a family hauler with tech ready to confidently explore the Nevada backroads.
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Baron Wilton
Baron is a walking encyclopedia of car facts. His favorite sport is behind the wheel of his Jaguar F-Type, which he drives more in the canyons of SoCal than on the streets.
