The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Classic charm
- Right-size proportions
- Muscular turbo engine
- Great off-road
Dislikes
- Mucho moolah
- No third row
- Limited choices
- Plasticky inside
Buying tip
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser’s is a palatable off-roader for the masses without the luxury of the last generation.
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.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Styling
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser manages to look retro without resorting to cliche.
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser a good-looking SUV?
It’s likable and brimming with personality. We rate the Land Cruiser an 8 out of 10 thanks mostly to its heritage-heavy exterior, though the interior’s not so bad either.
The latest Land Cruiser is smaller than its immediate predecessor, though it’ll still fill up your garage. Its boxy profile and high roof stand in contrast to the wider, more voluptuous model that was sold here for 15 or so years. There’s a lot going on here, from the big “Toyota” badge on the narrow grille to the two different headlight designs that vary by trim level. The rear shoulder line gives way to a roof pillar with a nifty band separating the body from the top. Opt for two-tone paint and the roof will be sprayed in a classic-looking white hue.
If there’s a downside here, it’s the blah 18-inch wheels. They make no impression.
Inside, the cabin has an upright dash with a short top and a near-vertical windshield. Proportionally, it’s a throwback, even if the reasonably well-organized switchgear is thoroughly modern. The 1958’s 8.0-inch touchscreen looks a bit small in its panel, while the big 12.3-inch touchscreen in the Land Cruiser model fills that space better. The 1958’s tough cloth upholstery that channels early-1990s 80-Series Cruisers is great, but it’s unfortunately paired with lots of hard plastic. The step-up model has nicer interior trim throughout.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Performance
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is a good off-roader with decent on-road manners.
It’s not as confident away from pavement as its predecessor, but the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is better on-road. We rate it at 7 thanks to its still-good four-wheeling ability and its decent scoot.
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD?
Of course. You’ll find a 2-speed transfer case, full-time four-wheel drive, a limited-slip center differential that can be locked at the tap of a button, and a proper locking rear differential. The Land Cruiser trim has a disconnecting front anti-roll bar for better wheel articulation, plus more off-road drive modes and crawl control for low-speed loping away from pavement.
The Land Cruiser isn’t as high off the ground as some competitors and its mediocre breakover angle means you’ll have to pick your line carefully on hills. Still, it’s as capable as most drivers are likely to need, and it can pluck its way down a rocky path with confidence.
How fast is the Toyota Land Cruiser?
It’s peppy. The 2.4-liter turbo-4 underhood is paired with a 48-hp electric motor fed by an electric battery beneath the cargo area. That combo is good for 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, which pours on smoothly through the 8-speed automatic transmission. The Land Cruiser isn’t overly fast, but it has plenty of power in reserve for highway passing. The turbo-4 makes refined V-6-like snarls and growls rather than high-pitched turbo whistles. That’s fine with us, though the transition from electric-only to hybrid mode can feel a bit too abrupt.
The standard trailer hitch offers up to 6,000 pounds of towing capacity, which is decent but not class-leading.
Generally, the 8-speed automatic transmission behaves quite well with quick, well-timed shifts.
Underneath, the Land Cruiser’s independent front suspension and coil-sprung solid rear axle are nothing special, but they give this SUV a great ride. It swallows big bumps with only limited cabin disturbance, though it can get bouncy on big bumps. The steering offers little in the way of feel, though heft and response impress. Nobody will ever call the Land Cruiser nimble, but it can squeeze its way into tight spots and it can hold its own on a winding road.
At highway speeds, the Land Cruiser settles in quite nicely and it holds its lane well even in windy situations. It’s properly planted.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Comfort & Quality
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser has a big, if somewhat compromised, interior.
If you want maximum comfort and space, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t for you. But it does have comfy front seats, good room for four adults, and a big cargo area. It’s an 8 on the TCC scale.
The Land Cruiser stretches a fairly long 193.8 inches between its bumpers and it rides on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. It’s somewhat narrow and tall, though the interior is still pretty spacious. The front seats are quite comfortable, but the base 1958 trim lacks power adjustments—a surprise give the price tag. The step-up model’s synthetic or real leather seats are just as comfy and have more adjustments, including for lumbar.
The rear seat is positioned up high, which affords a great view. However, the door openings are somewhat narrow and the step up is hefty. The rear seat backs can be reclined, too. There’s no third-row in the Land Cruiser; if you want more seating, you’ll have to get a Lexus GX or Toyota 4Runner.
Behind the rear seats, the Land Cruiser has 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is unfortunately quite high off the ground due to the placement of the hybrid system battery. The tailgate is heavy, too, making the power version on the step-up model worthwhile particularly for shorter drivers.
Base Land Cruiser 1958 models have very few soft-touch surfaces and a lot of hard plastic. The standard Land Cruiser model has nicer trim on the doors and dash.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Safety
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser hasn’t been crash tested.
How safe is the Toyota Land Cruiser?
It’s likely to be a safe choice based solely on its size, but we can’t say for certain. The 2025 Land Cruiser hasn’t been crash tested. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control, plus a system called Proactive Driving Assist that can use the steering and braking to slow down for curves or nudge away from pedestrians or bicyclists.
Outward vision is just OK. The Land Cruiser’s big roof pillars make it somewhat easy to lose traffic in your blind spot.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Features
Toyota only offers a few Land Cruiser configurations.
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser comes in three basic flavors, none of which are cheap. The lineup starts at $57,845, including a mandatory $1,395 destination charge for the base 1958 trim level. That’s solidly in luxury-car territory, and the base Land Cruiser doesn’t feel like a luxury vehicle. It’s equipped with cloth-upholstered seats that are heated but manually adjustable up front, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It gets points for its decent infotainment tech and base equipment that just barely meets our standards.
The 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is nothing special, but it does include two years (or 25,000 miles) of free maintenance.
Which Toyota Land Cruiser should I buy?
As much as we love the base cloth seats, the step-up Land Cruiser trim’s power-adjustable front seats that are also cooled, synthetic leather upholstery, a power liftgate, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with more speakers. It runs $63,900.
How much is a fully loaded Toyota Land Cruiser?
A $4,600 Premium Package for the Land Cruiser trim brings a sunroof, real leather seats, a head-up display, 14-speaker JBL audio, wireless smartphone charging, and a few other niceties, while 20-inch wheels are also available. Figure about $70,000 so-equipped.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Fuel Economy
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser may be a hybrid, but it’s not frugal.
Is the Toyota Land Cruiser good on gas?
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser boasts decent fuel-economy estimates in the EPA tesst, but it’s not exactly thrifty. It’s estimated at 22 mpg city, 25 highway, 23 combined, based on 2024 testing procedures. Those figures are good for a 2 on our scale, though the Land Cruiser needs premium fuel.
In real-world use, we struggled to top 20 mpg combined, however.
