Not offered in Canada for years, the Toyota Land Cruiser used to be a Toyota-branded version of the hyper-premium Lexus LX body-on-frame SUV. For 2025, the Land Cruiser nameplate returns to Canada with its traditional body-on-frame format is a smaller package but has retained witheringly expensive pricing.

Toyota have created a bit of an issue in their model lineup by releasing two old-school, body-on-frame SUVs, the 4Runner and the Land Cruiser, that overlap on price to a point where offering both borders on a duplication of effort.

Compared to the new 4Runner, the Land Cruiser is built on the same wheelbase, is marginally longer and slightly narrower.

Power stems from a hybrid version of Toyota’s new 2.4L turbo four which combines with the hybrid system to create 326 horsepower and a stump-pulling 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Power reaches all wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The serious off-road nature of the Land Cruiser is underlined by its two-speed transfer case and a locking rear differential. Towing capacity is stated to be 2721 kilograms.

The Toyota Safety System 3.0 (TSS 3.0), with forward collision warning, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning with active steering assist, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors and radar cruise control, is standard.

Styling is very truck-like but clean and elegant in a robust way. The side profile is square and bears prominent wheel arch bulges and a small glazed area. The Land Cruiser is a significantly better looking vehicle than the visually-challenging 4Runner.

The interior of the Land Cruiser follows Toyota truck design conventions. The driver faces a TFT gauge package with uninspired graphics. The climate controls are all toggle based and are easy to manipulate. The infotainment functions are run via a touchscreen that works well enough. The driver’s seat is comfortable but space between the door and the console is quite restricted for a largish vehicle. Rear seat legroom is less than expected. Cargo space is long and deep but narrow.

Driven briefly, the Landcruiser feels like the body-on-frame vehicle it is. Steering is slightly loose but very accurate and ride and handling are quite trucklike. Similar to other body-on-frame Toyotas, the Land Cruiser feels immensely robust but drives with a surprising precision.
The 326 horsepower, hybrid 2.4 L turbo four, is not a paragon of refinement but it is strong, eager and is perfectly matched to its eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Land Cruiser is witheringly expensive with an overlap between it the new 4Runner.

The least expensive trim, the 1958, features heated front seats, blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors and a locking rear differential. The Land Cruiser model adds a TFT gauge package, a sunroof, power-adjustable steering wheel, a power tailgate, power driver’s seat, wireless cellphone charging and anti-roll bars that can be disconnected from the driver’s seat. The Premium package of the Land Cruiser trim features leather seating, a head up display system, a front cross traffic monitor and a power passenger seat.

Toyota durability is generally industry leading but the early versions of the 2.4L turbo powering this car has had issues with production debris left in the engine upon assembly with a number of engine failures reported.