2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Series launched: A return to its roots

Toyota has just unveiled the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser 250 Series, and it goes back to its off-roading roots with retro-inspired looks, a leaner, more durable, and tech-infused platform. 

With a more functional new design, improved off-road performance, and state-of-the-art safety features, the Land Cruiser 250 Series is sure to be a hit for off-roaders. It was built upon the premise of reliability, durability, simplicity, ease of repair, comfort, affordability, and customizability in mind.

The exterior has been completely reworked with a more aggressive and outdoorsy look even a Land Rover Defender would be proud of.

There are two trim-dependent headlight design options - a round headlight design that comes standard in the US-Spec Land Cruiser 1958, a retro variant that pays homage to the original 1958 Land Cruiser design. The US market will get a 5,000-unit limited-run First Edition model with round headlight fixtures and off-roading goodies.

And then there's the top-ranging "Land Cruiser" variant which will get modern LED rectangular lamps.

What's inside?

The interior has also been updated with a more luxurious and comfortable feel with modern amenities and driver-controlled functionality.

The  Land Cruiser 1958 variant will have black fabric seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Land Cruiser grade has heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats that come in black or Java. It has a larger 12.3-inch multimedia monitor and a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. A premium package option for this variant has leather-trimmed seats.

The Limited First Edition variant has leather seats with a "First Edition" logo embossed on the door panels. It has a Qi wireless charging pad with higher power output and dual USB-C charging ports for the front and rear passengers. A palm rest for using the center touch screen and side knee pads are also included in this limited run grade.

The Land Cruiser 250 has an active Remote Connect subscription option that allows the use of a Digital Key. This allows smartphones to unlock the vehicle, open the tailgate, and be remotely started. The Digital Key can also be shared to others for easier access to the vehicle. 

Substance underneath the skin

But the Land Cruiser 250 Series is more than just a pretty face. It's also one of the most capable off-road vehicles on the market. Thanks to its TNGA-F platform, which it shares with the Land Cruiser 300 Series, and improved suspension, the Land Cruiser 250 can handle even the most challenging terrain.

Toyota has increased the stiffness of the chassis of the 250 Series, boasting an incredible 50% increase in frame rigidity and an outstanding 30% increase in overall rigidity. This should make the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Series more durable and less creaky on trails.

Suspension-wise, Toyota says the new 250 Series has improved articulation allowing the tires to stay in contact with the ground on challenging terrain. It will still have dual control-arm independent front suspension with a solid rear axle. The backend will be supported by four trailing links and a Panhard rod that connects one end of the axle to the car body on the opposing side.

A Toyota first, the Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism (SDM), is a driver-operated system that loosens the front stabilizer with a switch for better suspension articulation when crawling over large obstacles. This is now a feature of the 250 Series. Toyota says it can deliver driving performance and ride comfort during off-road excursions and handling stability when on-road. 

The Toyota Land Cruiser 250 will also have improved off-road driving support through its Multi-Terrain Select driving modes which are now functional in both 4WD-High and 4WD-Low. It has Crawl Control functionality with five selectable speeds, along with Downhill Assist Control.

And with the help of its Multi-Terrain Monitor, which is standard in the Land Cruiser grade, you can see on the 12.3-inch infotainment screen what's around the vehicle during off-road excursions. 

Electric Power Steering appears for the first time in a Land Cruiser with the 250 Series. It reduces loss of steering control during off-road drives, says Toyota. It will also provide a more positive steering feel while making it easier to maneuver at low speeds. EPS also lets the 250 Series enjoy the benefits of Lane Tracing Assist. 

A selection of powertrains

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 250 will have five powertrain options. Sadly, not all will be available in global market.

It would seem that for Japan, and likely the Philippine market as well, either of these power trains will be available:

• 1GD-FTV Diesel 2.8-liter turbo with a Direct Shift-8 automatic gearbox  - 204 PS, 500N
• 2TR-FE 2.7-liter gasoline 6 Super-ECT - 163 PS, 246 Nm

The North American and Chinese markets will be the ones to get the sweetest deal with the electrified iForce Max T24A-FTS Gasoline 2.4-liter turbo Hybrid Direct Shift-8AT churning out 330PS and 630 Nm of torque. 

The new mill has a smaller displacement, though, than the 5.7-liter V8 it replaces. However, it does improve on the former engine’s 543 Nm. And it should offer better fuel economy as well.

But that could still all change as Toyota is still in the planning stages of its allocation.

Still an off-roader by heart

Toyota says the Land Cruiser 250 Series will feature a low hood, dashboard height, and belt line, along with short overhangs and narrow A-pillars for improved on and off-road visibility.  Its dimensions are larger than the Prado, however:

• Length 4,925 mm (+100 over the Prado)
• Width 1,980 mm (+95)
• Height 1,870 mm (+20)
• Wheelbase 2,850 mm (+60) 

But don’t let the numbers fool you. The 250 Series has a narrower body than the previous 200 Series. Blame the side mirrors and fender flares for the muscular stance.

Modern safety

And if that's not enough, the Land Cruiser 250 Series is also packed with state-of-the-art safety features. These include Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, road sign assist, and dynamic radar cruise control.

But wait, there’s more

Also announced by Toyota along with the 250 Series is a throwback model, a classic Land Cruiser generation with updated hardware. The 80s-era 70 Series has been updated with a 204 PS, 500Nm 2.8-liter diesel engine, and 6-speed automatic transmission.

It will have the original ladder frame chassis for high durability but will have improved on-road comfort. A few nips and tucks in the overall design, cool retro-feel DRLs, and modern-day safety features to the classic Japanese workhorse ensure the 70 Series lives on. It will be a regular model in Japan’s Land Cruiser lineup.

The J300 Land Cruiser introduced in 2021 will still be around for those who like to arrive in style at parties and malls. 

So what do you think of the 2024 Land Cruiser 250? Something worth ditching your Land Rover Defender dreams for?