By NITISH S. RELE - motoringflorida@gmail.com
Who doesn’t like to experience the best of both worlds? Last year, we had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of the Land Cruiser 1958, throwback to the good ole days. And recently, Toyota dispatched over the 2025 Land Cruiser trim but without the 1958 label. This SUV may preserve some of the heritage and look of yesteryear but with a contemporary twist, shall we say. Of course, it is as off-road and all-terrain worthy as its sibling.
Under the hood of the Land Cruiser sits a 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder turbocharged engine that develops 326 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and churns out 465 pounds-feet of torque @ 1700 rpm. The I-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is paired with a 1.87 kWh battery and 48-hp electric motor. An 8-speed auto gearbox results in a drivetrain that is quiet and responsive. Assisting occupants isolate road sound and rough surfaces is an independent coil spring double wishbone front and a leaf spring rear suspension. The electric power rack-and-pinion steering is razor sharp, with a substantial on-center feel. Tow capacity is an impressive 6,000 pounds, so hauling a sailboat should be effortless.
That the Land Cruiser would retain its box-like look isn’t no surprise but unlike the 1958 trim with round LEDs, our test drive distinguishes itself with rectangular triple headlights flanked by the iconic TOYOTA heritage grille. RIGID brand LED fog lamps are quite evident up front too. Front skid plates protect the engine, transmission and transfer case during those off-the-beaten-path trips. Peek inside the roomy cabin and you will notice 12.3-inch screens, one in the digital cluster, and the other for infotainment atop the dashboard. The driver has H4 and L4 dials at their fingertips. Eight-way power driver and six-way manual passenger leather seats, both heated/cooled, envelop the torso gently rather than too tightly. Other thought-out goodies are three-zone auto a/c, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel with the Toyota emblem, eight cup/bottle holders, six USB ports and a power liftgate. We suggest opting for the $4,600 premium package with 14-speaker JBL audio, power moon roof, center console cool box, wireless phone charger, head-up display, lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and more.
Dual front airbags, side curtain airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and active traction/hill assist controls, all-wheel-drive with two-speed transfer case, blind-spot detection with rear-cross traffic alert, electronic locking rear/center differential, multi-terrain select and monitor, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system are standard along with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 – pre-collision system to detect pedestrians, lane trace alert with steer assist and dynamic cruise control.
It may be pricier than the 1958 model but this Land Cruiser can go places, whether you are cruising the highway or tackling the rigors of rugged trails. The numerous ultra-modern features make it a best buy in our eyes.
LAND CRUISER
Tires: 265/70R18
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 193.8 inches
Height: 76.1 inches
Width: 77.9 inches
Weight: 5,038 pounds
Fuel capacity: 17.9 gallons
City/hwy/comb: 22/25/23 mpg
Base price: $62,450
Price as tested: $70,285
Web site: www.toyota.com
