The Land Cruiser is more capable than most need
After the Toyota Land Cruiser went on a brief hiatus, which I thought would kill the nameplate, it reappeared in the market last year with new sheetmetal, more innovative features, and a controversial turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This new take on an old favorite boasts retro-inspired styling that mixes well with its newfound tech while maintaining the capability it has always been known for. While it’s a no-brainer that the Land Cruiser can comfortably cruise nearly any kind of terrain you drive it on, no one talks about the fact that most owners probably won’t take it off-road any time soon.
Joe Santos
Let’s face it, most SUV owners use their cars to run errands, like grocery shopping and picking the kids up from school, as opposed to traversing uncharted territories off the beaten path. The Head of Jeep, Mark Allen, once told ABC News that around 10 to 15 percent of Jeep owners actually take them off-road. In that case, I am part of the 90 percent that does not go off-road in these burly vehicles, which makes me feel relieved but still a little confused. I mean, why buy a supremely capable vehicle like a Jeep, or more specifically, a Toyota Land Cruiser, only to keep it on the pavement throughout most of its life?
However, after spending a week with the Land Cruiser, I get why anyone wouldn’t want to let it play in the mud. That would be like dancing around in the sprinklers with your $1,000 high heels on. Sure, it could be fun, but if you like those heels, you’ll probably regret it afterward. So, in that case, I kept my Land Cruiser tester on paved roads during the time I had it and didn’t regret a single minute of it.
No off-roading, but no regrets
You only have to look at the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser to know that it can handle nearly anything you drive it through. Underneath its rugged skin is a powertrain that’s chock full of features that are ready to get the large SUV out of ruts and over hills when needed. It has 7.9 inches of ground clearance and 31 and 22 degrees of approach and departure angles, respectively, making it great for overlanding some of the rockiest trails you can put it on.
Additionally, Toyota gave it a CRAWL control feature and downhill assist, which acts like cruise control when you’re going down a steep hill. Just push the button and let the system do the work. There is also a double-wishbone front suspension, a four-link rear suspension, and large 18-inch wheels and tires that give the Land Cruiser an edge when going over the tough stuff. To top it off, Toyota also installed a multi-terrain view monitor so you can see all the sides of the SUV when getting through rough terrain, in addition to a Multi-Terrain Select feature that configures the car to get through deep snow, mud, sand, or over rocks. That all sounds pretty fancy, but I didn’t use any of it. Instead, I kept it in the “auto” setting and went about my usual errands and obligations.
Joe Santos
A luxurious and comfortable Cruiser
Off-road goodies aside, the Toyota Land Cruiser makes for a perfectly comfortable ride when driven on regular roads. That off-road-ready suspension translates well on the pothole-ridden Colorado highways I drove it on. I could barely feel the bumps and dips from the driver’s seat as I pumped up the volume on the JBL premium audio system. The speakers pumped out some of the most sublime sounds while I effortlessly drove through parking lots and over speed bumps. This thing may be good for off-roading, but the Walmart shopping center is also no match for it, even when it comes to parking.
Joe Santos
Considering its large size, the Land Cruiser has an exceptionally good turning radius, which I imagine helps when getting through narrow canyon pathways. However, it’s also helpful when you need to beat that Camry to the angled parking spot that you found in the crowded mall parking lot. I guess that extra bit of heft makes it imposing in a different way when driving it in the real world.
Of course, the Land Cruiser is very comfortable. Inside, it’s adorned with soft faux-leather seats that provide plenty of support for the driver and passenger. The rear seat area is wide and large enough to fit three adults across with plenty of comfort. There are also HVAC controls and charging ports to keep everyone comfortable and happy. All of their stuff will likely fit in the cargo area, as there is 46.2 cubic feet of space behind the second row, which makes the Land Cruiser quite the hauler.
Real-world efficiency and usability
Joe Santos
Despite all of its off-road hardware, the Land Cruiser doesn’t feel like a chore to drive every day. Its steering is nicely weighted, visibility is excellent, and the hybrid powertrain delivers decent mileage for such a big SUV. During my time with it, I averaged around 22.1 mpg, which isn’t bad considering the Land Cruiser’s heft and four-wheel-drive system. Power-wise, the Land Cruiser has no problem getting onto the freeway and passing slower cars. Under its hood is a turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that is assisted by two electric motors to make a total of 326 horsepower.
That’s the same setup you will find under the hood of the new Tacoma. While most truck and SUV lovers will think the four-pot engine is a downgrade compared to the V8 Toyota has used in the past, in my opinion, it’s not. The Land Cruiser gets up and goes quickly off the line and has plenty of gusto when going uphill and through traffic.
Who is the Land Cruiser for?
Joe Santos
After spending a week with it, I think the new Land Cruiser makes perfect sense for the 90 percent of us who never take it off-road. It’s comfortable, capable, and confident, even if the wildest place you drive it is the Costco parking lot. But knowing that it can handle a rocky trail if you ever get the urge? That’s part of the appeal, and an added plus for the other 10 percent that will regularly take it off the beaten path.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, the Toyota Land Cruiser might be overbuilt for errands, but that’s what makes it such a joy to drive every day. It’s easy to get in and out of, and supremely comfortable to boot. One caveat is that I would suggest spending the extra cash for the regular Land Cruiser, not the 1958 version, which is the base model that comes with cloth seats and less infotainment. Either way, you will have a capable cruiser that proves that it’s not about where you drive; it’s about knowing your car can handle whatever life throws at you.
