Toyota’s Land Cruiser nameplate needs no introduction. It’s a badge synonymous with rugged dependability, global adventure, and a certain quiet confidence that other SUVs still aspire to emulate. And now, in 2025, the Toyota Land Cruiser is back in America with a slightly different formula. Leaner in size, turbocharged, and unmistakably modern. Priced from $62,450, this press model, finished in a beautiful Heritage Blue with a rich Java interior, came equipped with nearly every option, landing at $72,059.
Toyota has repositioned the Land Cruiser for this generation—not downmarket in quality, but down in footprint. It now rides on the same platform as the new Lexus GX and Toyota 4Runner, sharing bones but not necessarily character. This is the Land Cruiser by way of the global Prado, meaning it’s not trying to be the V8-powered overlander of yesteryear. And yet, the essence of what made the Land Cruiser special remains intact: capability, purpose, and enduring appeal.
A Brief History of the Prado
Globally, the Land Cruiser has long split into two paths. The "full-size" 200 and 300 Series (not sold here since 2021) were the prestige haulers, while the Land Cruiser Prado carved out a legacy as the more maneuverable, approachable sibling—still highly capable but sized and specced for narrower trails, tighter towns, and broader global appeal. In Australia, Africa, and the Middle East, Prado models have achieved icon status. Now, that Prado spirit becomes the heart of the 2025 U.S.-market Land Cruiser.
Toyota’s decision to bring this variant to the States is a wise one. It reflects where the market is heading—away from bloated excess and toward right-sized capability with hybrid efficiency. And let’s be clear: this isn’t a lesser Land Cruiser. It’s a new chapter.
Exterior Walkaround: Heritage with an Edge
The 2025 Land Cruiser’s design is upright and confident. Deeply intentional. The Heritage Blue paint on our press model harks back to classic Toyota tones of the 1960s and ’70s, while squared-off fenders, LED headlights, and a horizontal grille play with retro-modern appeal. There’s a sense of real proportion here, no excessive bulges or overwrought lines, just classic utility with a crisp modern finish.
Measuring 193.8 inches in length with a wheelbase of 112.2 inches, it hits a sweet spot for those who want SUV presence without parking anxiety. The 76.1-inch height (and 8.7 inches of ground clearance) keeps it trail-worthy. Front tow hooks, a roof rack, and a skid-plate system give offroaders the nod of approval. This Land Cruiser looks exactly like what it is: a tool built to work and look cool doing it.
Interior: Functional Comfort with a Nod to Legacy
Inside, the Java leather-trimmed interior balances toughness and comfort. The materials feel durable yet premium, and the cabin layout is refreshingly functional. Toggle switches, rotary dials, and physical climate controls provide tactile joy in an era of screen-only SUVs.
Space is generous, with seating for five and ample headroom (40.1” front / 39.4” rear) and legroom (43.0” front / 36.7” rear). Rear cargo volume is equally impressive with 46.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and a cavernous 82.2 with the seats folded. There’s plenty of room for weekend gear, dogs, or luggage for a cross-country road trip to Palo Duro Canyon.
Creature comforts abound, especially with the Premium Package. A 14-speaker JBL® system fills the cabin with clarity, while the power moonroof, head-up display, and center console cool box feel like thoughtful luxuries. Toyota’s latest digital gauge cluster and infotainment system are easy to use, and there’s wireless charging, traffic jam assist, and a full suite of safety tech.
Under the Hood: The Turbo Hybrid Conundrum
Power comes from Toyota’s new i-FORCE MAX hybrid system: a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor for a total of 326 horsepower and a meaty 465 lb-ft of torque. On paper, the numbers are strong. In practice? That’s where things get complicated.
Throttle response is punchy, and torque arrives early—just 1,700 rpm—but under any acceleration, the engine feels buzzy and somewhat industrial. There’s a distinct vibration, paired with a transmission hum that’s hard to ignore.
Fuel economy is solid at 22 mpg city / 25 highway / 23 combined, especially for a vehicle tipping the scales at just over 5,000 lbs.
That said, the platform is good. Very good. Road manners are composed, steering is precise, and the Land Cruiser feels stable at Texas’ highway speed. Ride quality is comfortable without being floaty, and despite the hybrid system’s quirks, it’s still a joy to drive—especially knowing what it can do when the pavement ends.
Off-Road Impressions: Built to Roam
This is where the Land Cruiser earns its name. Toyota has equipped it with full-time four-wheel drive, a center locking differential, low-range gearing, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Downhill Assist. It’s ready for serious adventure straight from the showroom.
Whether you're airing down for a rocky trail or creeping through muddy ruts, the Land Cruiser stays composed and confidence-inspiring. Its shorter overhangs and 112.2-inch wheelbase make it highly maneuverable, and the 465 lb-ft of torque makes easy work on steep ascents.
Off-road, you feel the lineage. This is a truck designed to survive, and the build quality speaks to that. It doesn’t flinch, and that’s worth its weight in gold.
Summary: The Land Cruiser We Needed, Even If It’s Not the One We Expected
Toyota has brought the Land Cruiser back in a smart, focused way. It’s not trying to recreate the V8-powered behemoths of old, it’s carving a new path, rooted in global heritage and right-sized for modern life.
Would I still buy one? Absolutely. It’s handsome, supremely capable, enjoyable to drive, and backed by Toyota’s sterling reputation.
If I were cross-shopping, I’d personally consider the Lexus GX for its six-cylinder refinement or the 4Runner for its slightly different styling. But the Land Cruiser? It’s still a legend just in a more modern form. And that’s something to celebrate.
Verdict:
A right-sized return of a global icon, the 2025 Land Cruiser is built to explore and still unmistakably Toyota.