What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser? What does it compare to?
The Land Cruiser is a five-seat SUV with a rugged personality, hybrid power, and a hefty price tag. Shop it against the closely related Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX, as well as the Land Rover Defender and Ford Bronco.
Is the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser a good SUV?
It has its charms, though it’s far from a rational choice for the way most people use their SUVs. It’s comfortable, capable, and rock solid, but it’s also pricey and not particularly frugal. It nets a 6.4 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser?
After a thorough rethink for 2024 that saw it repositioned as a somewhat more affordable, less luxurious model than before, the Land Cruiser sees few tweaks for 2025. Not surprisingly, the First Edition is no more. Otherwise, the lineup’s biggest changes involve color availability.
The Land Cruiser wears boxy styling with some retro cues. It’s nowhere near as subtle about its throwback design as the Land Rover Defender, but that’s not to say we don’t like it. Base 1958 models—so named because that was the first year Toyota imported the Land Cruiser to the U.S.—have headlights with round projectors and LED running lights, while the step-up trim has rectangular lights. The round lights are a nod to the FJ60-generation model offered in the early 1980s, while the rectangles attempt to channel its 1988 FJ62 replacement.
Inside, the Land Cruiser has a clean, modern look with plenty of knobs and buttons plus a big instrument cluster panel that gives way to a touchscreen for infotainment.
The lone engine is a 2.4-liter turbo-4 that’s mated to a 48-hp electric motor fed by a battery pack. It makes 326 hp and a hearty 465 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. While not exactly quick, the Land Cruiser has impressive passing power. This powertrain snarls and growls more like a big V-6 than a little turbo-4, but that fits its character. Look for around 20 mpg combined, which isn’t terrible given how big and heavy the Land Cruiser is.
Underneath, the separate ladder frame is suspended via an independent double-wishbone setup up front and a coil-sprung solid axle out back. Don’t look for magical shocks or springs here; this is decidedly old-school. Still, quick-witted steering helps the Cruiser feel somewhat nimble and its big tires give it a soft ride. It lumbers along, but not unduly so.
Standard full-time four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case, a Torsen center differential with a push-button locker, and a locking rear differential help make the Cruiser a proper off-roader. The step-up Land Cruiser trim adds additional off-road drive modes plus a front anti-sway bar that disconnects at the tap of a button.
The standard trailer hitch unlocks a 6,000-pound towing capacity.
Climb aboard—literally—and you’ll find comfy front seats and a nicely padded three-seat rear bench. There’s no third row here; for that, you must go for the similar Lexus GX. Base 1958 trucks have nifty cloth seats but far too much hard plastic. Most drivers will be better off with the step-up trim, simply called Land Cruiser, which has synthetic leather seats and much nicer door and dash panels.
All models have automatic emergency braking that can stop for pedestrians or cyclists plus adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control. A surround-view camera system and a head-up display are available.
How much does the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser cost?
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser starts at $57,845 for the base 1958 trim with its cloth seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a bevy of off-road bits. Spend another $6,000 and the Land Cruiser (that’s its whole name) adds nicer interior trim; front seats that are heated, cooled, and power-adjustable; a power tailgate; and a 12.3-inch touchscreen teamed with a few more audio speakers. That’s it for the lineup, other than options.
Where is the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser made?
In Japan.
