2024 Toyota Land Cruiser | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #454

By redesigning the 2024 Land Cruiser, Toyota reinforces its commitment to off-road excellence. In this episode, we share our first impressions of the new Land Cruiser, highlighting its hybrid powertrain, nostalgic design elements, and off-road capabilities. We also explore how Consumer Reports' new CR Recommended initiative enhances value for car buyers. Additionally, we look at whether front-wheel-drive EVs offer any real benefit.

SHOW NOTES
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00:00 - Introduction
00:16 - Overview: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
03:09 - Land Cruiser’s History
04:38 - New and Different
06:56 - Driving
09:45 - Things We Dislike
14:18 - The Ride
15:08 - Interior
15:48 - Controls
16:27 - Visibility
17:03 - Do We Like It?
18:59 - Would We Buy It?
23:33 - Question #1: What is CR Recommended?
28:19 - Question #2: Are there any significant benefits to using a front-wheel-drive configuration for EVs?

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First Drive: 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Is a Charming Throwback With a Touch of Modernity

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

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[patricklawrence]

They did this with 4Runners too. I never understand ppl complaining that a truck based suv drives like a …..truck. Huh? It’s body on frame, it has a direct pickup sibling, yet they always seem so shocked that it’s ’truck like’

We know. We want that…

[EclecticGearhead]

It hasn’t been downsized.

We just don’t get the big one in the US anymore.

[sentiencepsn]

I had to shut this one off. The whole premise of this being a smaller cheaper Land Cruiser ignores the fact that this is simply a Prado in other markets. A contemporary Land Cruiser does exist, but isn’t offered here. So we get the Prado, with name change.

[Mrscott]

Anybody that buys a Ford Bronco over a Toyota product is going to get what they deserve.

[marcreyes]

one thing to remember is people buy Land Cruisers and keep them for a long time

[MilanStier]

I honestly think the squared headlights are the ones to get. The round version looks too outdated.

[kkiller]

I'm disconcerted that anyone at CR would "like" a Range Rover/Land Rover given they are the least reliable cars in the whole market. What point in having a very expensive car that has many reliability issues and is also incredibly expensive to fix each time.

[KNRS]

The more I see this, the more I want it. It looks awesome, not as huge as the prior one, and super modern. The emotional side of me wants to jump in on the new Land Cruiser or upcoming 4Runner immediately, while the pragmatic side is telling me to wait a year or two, or get a used GX/4Runner with the 4.0L V6 or 4.6L V8 to avoid these potential turbo issues.

[kcw]

LC a "pretty iconic model"? lmao. it's the #1 auto manufacturer's longest standing model of all time. it's a global platform unlike the bronco and jeep which pale in comparison.

[jeevanpanda]

Aftet taking a test drive, I 100% agree with discussion. Great job on hitting all details.

[brendanb]

I believe the decision to make the Honda Prologue with a choice of front or all-wheel drive was so that they could better differentiate the Acura ZDX that is built on the same architecture. Since rear-wheel drive is typically thought of as more sporty or more premium, when building two vehicles on the same basic electric vehicle architecture, having the Honda front-wheel drive and the Acura rear-wheel drive makes good business sense. They both use GM’s electric vehicle architecture, and the Blazer EV that also shares that architecture is available in front, rear, or all-wheel drive. So it seems that from the standpoint of build simplicity the architecture is flexible enough for them to have sent the power to any wheels they wanted and they chose to do it the way they did for a marketing reason.

[exparrot]

One key thing when comparing the Land Cruiser against the Bronco: the Land Cruiser requires 91 Octane, while the Bronco needs only 87.

So while the Land Cruiser gets a little bit better fuel economy, it costs slightly more to operate.

[sjasonwang]

I've always driven small cars and think giant SUVs are dumb in suburbia. But where I live, everyone drives gigantic vehicles now, and there is literally zero enforcement of traffic laws. I saw two people run red lights right in front of cops today just on my commute home, and the cops did nothing. Soooo if I decide to join the vehicular arms race, I'll probably get a LC.

[MaynardGKrebs-ttdd]

Toyota has three new vehicles on the same platform: 4Runner, LC and GX 550 in ascending price and luxury. I love my 2020 4Runner and may upgrade to the LC.

[ZAaron-wqjd]

Great, comprehensive review on both the pros and cons of the vehicle. That being said I'm planning on buying it!

[NA]

Thanks for posting this video. I was considering buying this vehicle...I will not be purchasing this SUV after seeing this video!! Keep them coming!!

[chuckwalla]

Jen needs to stop interrupting and cutting in.

[jamespn]

Base model is $55K and the dealer packs it with $5K of accessories.

[wackit]

Jen's explanation for CR advertising is a big…‘ HUH'? From me. 🤷‍♂️

[House_of_Schmidt]

This land cruiser really should have recieved the lexus TT v6. Not enough difference between the LC and the 4runner.