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In a significant departure from its opulent past, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is set to redefine its identity as it enters a new era. Gone are the days of being a luxury truck with all the bells and whistles, mirroring its Lexus counterpart.
Instead, the 2024 Land Cruiser embraces its rugged roots and aims to become a true off-road SUV with a distinct Toyota personality. The Land Cruiser captivated the American market for over two decades with its luxurious features, starting at nearly $90,000.
Boasting three leather-trimmed rows of seats, a JBL premium audio system, and cooled power front buckets, it was more like a lavish limousine than a practical SUV. However, the 2024 model is undergoing a radical transformation that will bring it closer to its hardy origins.
The Land Cruiser will now share its segment with the Lexus GX rather than the Lexus LX, emphasizing a shift towards a more purposeful and capable off-road vehicle. Furthermore, it will draw inspiration from its global counterparts, such as the rural ambulances in Costa Rica, shedding its association with heavily armored luxury trucks.
Transforming Interior Amenities
Inside the cabin, the changes are evident. Manual fabric seats are now standard, replacing the sumptuous leather upholstery of the past. The base audio system is more useful, resembling that of the Tacoma, rather than the high-end setup in the 200 Series.
While leather seats and a JBL audio system remain optional, these features no longer define the Land Cruiser's identity. Erin Doughty, part of the Land Cruiser's vehicle marketing & communications team, explained that the 2024 model deliberately deviates from the previous luxury-oriented approach.
Emphasizing its Toyota heritage, the new design reflects a departure from the opulence of Lexus, and the interior showcases a more rugged and straightforward aesthetic. Doughty stated, "This screams ‘Toyota’ to me," emphasizing the brand's desire to reinforce the Land Cruiser's authenticity and genuine off-road capability.
As the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser prepares to hit the market, it embraces a clear mission to be an unapologetically robust and purposeful SUV. The shift away from luxury-oriented features to a focus on its Toyota roots signals a new chapter for the iconic Land Cruiser brand.
While some may mourn the loss of its former opulence, this evolution seeks to appeal to adventure-seekers who value performance and reliability above all else.
