True mud-and-guts off-roading enthusiasts are still teary-eyed at Toyota’s decision back in 2021 to euthanize the big ol’ V8 bus that was the Land Cruiser 200-series.
I wasn’t one of them. Too big. Too butt-ugly. At 12 to the gallon, too thirsty. And with a sticker close to $90,000, way too pricey. Only its unstoppable off-road capability and beefy 5.7-liter V8 power were its saving graces.
Of course the Land Cruiser nameplate was too iconic for Toyota to let disappear for good. So at the end of last year, Toyota pulled the wraps off its 2025 Land Cruiser that sent the fabled 4×4 in a completely new direction.
Gone is the big V8. In its place is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder boosted by a pair of electric motors to make 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Yes, it’s a hybrid. By comparison, its V8 predecessor summoned-up 381 horseys and 401 torques.
Sizewise, Land Cruisers old and new are suprisingly close, the newcomer being only 1.2 inches shorter, with both having exactly the same 112-inch wheelbase and same 78-inch beam.
Where the big change came was in design. While the old Cruiser looked, to me, as if it came out of a Jell-O mold, this new one is all square-edged, boxy, retro-cool.
I love the flat roof, the upright windshield, the kinked-up side window profile, plus the beefy arches over the wheels and long, contoured hood. Love too our tester’s beige-brown Trail Dust with Grayscape two-tone paint. Very 70s.
Step up into the cabin and there’s a nice balance between wipe-down utility and leather-trimmed luxury. Our tester’s brown Java leather seats came nicely contrast-stitched and bolstered, with matching leather on the center armrest and doors.
But that said, there are acres of cheap-looking black plastic on the dash, doors, and center console sides.
Did I mention that this new 2025 Land Cruiser kicks off with a sticker of $58,195, which is for the base, round-headlight ‘1985’ model. Step up to the top-of-the-line Land Cruiser trim – yes, that makes it a Land Cruiser Land Cruiser – and you’re looking at $62,925.
Check a few options boxes, like the $4,600 Premium Package, $1,440 for the roof rack, and $1,240 for the 20-inch alloys, and it’s easy to to pass $70,000. Yikes.
Space-wise, there’s no shortage of kneeroom in the back, but with the battery pack mounted under the rear load platform, there’s no third row option. It also raises up the cargo area floor making it harder to lift heavy stuff into the back.
But hybrid power does make this new Cruiser a delight to drive, with the instant torque making it feel quicker than the 8-second 0-to-60 mph time suggests. A terrific eight-speed automatic too that’s responsive and oily-smooth in its shifts.
On the road, the Toyota rides smoothly for a body-on-frame off-roader and feels safe, predictable and nicely-balanced through the curves.
My only off-roading was on the sandy beach by the Gandy Causeway Bridge which proved to be not much of a challenge. Featuring full-time four-wheel drive with low-range gearing, a center-locking differential and a crawl control system, it’s designed to climb the side of Everest.
If you can stomach the Land Cruiser’s ambitious price tag, it makes a terrific go-anywhere, adventure-ready off-roader. Who needs a V8?
For instant gratification we saw that our friends at Morgan Auto Group’s Toyota of Tampa Bay store have a new, bright white Land Cruiser 1958 in stock (pictured here), with delivery miles. Yours for its MSRP of $63,749.
And just arrived is a Trail Dust and Grayscape Land Cruiser-spec model, almost identical to our tester, but with black leather upholstery. Sales specialist Tristan Soto tells us this loaded example is selling for $70,183, or can be leased for $742.60 a month for 35 months, with $11,269 due at signing.
“Imagine throwing-in camping gear, or strapping a kayak to the roof, and going off and having fun. For our Land Cruiser customers, it’s all about the spirit of adventure,” says Tristan.
