INDIANAPOLIS — Back in 1999, Toyota took a 1967 FJ-45 Land Cruiser Wagon and married it to a 1999 Land Cruiser chassis and drivetrain that was customized by Rod Millen Motorsports in Huntington Beach, California. After it was cut and stretched, a 4.7-liter V8 was dropped inside. The showpiece cost $350,000 ($656,000 inflation-adjusted). You can do much better with the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser at a fraction of the price.
The inspiration is the same, but the execution couldn’t be more different.
Through generations, the Land Cruiser has been everything from a basic Jeep clone to a luxury SUV rivaling Range Rover. This one honors the classic FJ, but takes square-body design cues from the ‘80s version plus adds current luxuries. Yet, it’s clearly from our time with bulging wheelwells, strands of LED headlamps, 20” dark alloy wheels, and metal roof rack. Definitely get it in Heritage Blue with the white roof!
There’s a bit of a bargain Mercedes G-Wagen feel to the latest edition that I appreciate, but from the clink of its doors to beefy underpinnings, the concept vehicle felt more special.
Swathed in textured clay-colored Connolly leather and accented by aluminum pieces throughout, the interior was ruggedly luxurious. Additional interior features included GPS navigation, satellite telephone, and CD stereo. There’s even a full roll cage and 12-gallon onboard water supply. The exterior is dressed with PPG brushed silver paint, Borla exhaust and custom 17” wheels wearing military-style B.F. Goodrich beadlock tires.
Back in the future, interior design falls somewhere between a Prius and G-Wagen. Large screens for gauges and infotainment echo current Toyotas, but designers finessed surfaces with French stitching on the dash and console cool box (perfect for chilling sodas). Brown leather seats with heat and ventilation, JBL audio, and power moonroof add luxuries — as do the heated steering wheel, phone charging pad, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It’s not as posh as more recent Land Cruisers but certainly leaves nobody in cheap seats.
I wish it had a third row of seating, but you can’t have everything. There’s always the giant Sequoia to carry more peeps.
A sweep around the console finds buttons for the Land Cruiser’s front and rear locking differentials to enhance traction, disconnecting sway bars for greater wheel articulation, and drive modes to configure the drivetrain for virtually any terrain. Crawl control acts like an off-road cruise control. On-road, stay safe with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane keep assist, and cross traffic alert. A head-up display and digital rearview mirror do their parts, too.
The frankencrusier’s Lexus-smooth 32-valve, V8 generated 230 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the four-wheel-drive system through a 4-speed automatic transmission. It was fortified with driver-controlled locking rear differential and Kevlar underbody protection plates. For getting unstuck, it utilizes dual front and rear winches.
Moving today’s ‘Cruiser is Toyota’s “i-Force Max” hybrid powertrain. As with the similar Tacoma Trailhunter I recently tested, it starts with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, but snugs an electric motor between the engine and transmission. Total system output is rated 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque — enough to tow 6,000 lbs. Fuel economy rated 22/25-MPG city/highway is respectable.
Like its powertrain, the Land Cruiser’s fully-boxed frame and basic architecture are shared with other Toyota trucks like the Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia. That frame enables off-road and towing capability, but it also rides and drives more like a truck. Though, the big tires and off-road kit seemingly pulverize rough pavement and gravel driveways.
Soon after I started reviewing vehicles in 1999, I drove the FJ-45 Concept at the Texas Auto Writers’ Truck Rodeo outside Dallas. Being a prototype, the Land Cruiser concept creaked and squeaked. Doors rattled and closed with a metallic clang. Steering was not up to modern Land Cruiser standards, but it did a good job of directing the SUV’s mass. The special Millen suspension provided impressive wheel travel with coil-over spring/shock assemblies.
As befitting an antique preparing for its return to the stage at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, the Toyota Motorsports Garage team recently addressed leaking shocks, replaced rotted hoses, revived the fuel system, and repainted its original color. The big Toyota looks better than when I last saw it.
It remains the most expensive vehicle I’ve ever driven and makes the latest Land Cruiser seem far more attainable. Prices start at $56,450, rising to $71,469 all-in. And, if you still yearn for the last-gen high-luxury Land Cruisers, Lexus will gladly sell you an LX for $94k. True competitors include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Bronco, and Nissan Armada.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.
Likes
- Design details
- Interior comforts
- All-road capabilities
Dislikes
- Rougher ride
- No third row
- Luxury price
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
Five-passenger, 4WD SUV
Powertrain: 2.4-liter T4, Hybrid
Output: 326hp/465 lb.-ft.
Suspension f/r: Ind/Solid axle
Wheels f/r: 20”/20” alloy
Brakes f/r: regen disc/disc
Towing capacity: 6,000 lbs.
Fuel economy city/hwy: 22/25-MPG
Assembly: Tokyo, Japan
Base/as-tested price: $56,450/$71,469
