The Toyota Land Cruiser is the final word all-around automobile. It’ll take you and the household on a street journey throughout the nation, mixing in at each vacation spot alongside the way in which, simply as simply because it’ll take a hardcore off-road fanatic via the deepest of trails. No less than, it was the final word all-rounder — earlier than Toyota killed the mannequin off in the USA again in 2021.

However now, the Land Cruiser is again. It’s (marginally) smaller, retro styled, and — solely — a hybrid. Better of all, it could be probably the most accessible Land Cruiser of all of them: When it’s launched subsequent spring, it’ll value about $30,000 lower than the outgoing 200 Sequence.

The Land Cruiser’s seems to be take after the up to date Lexus GX, however the retro styling matches higher underneath the LC nameplate. It’s boxy and squared-off, gone are the indirect shapes of the 200 Sequence. This new Cruiser harkens again to the FJ40 and FJ62, and the aesthetic is simply chef kiss.

The usual Cruiser has bar headlights, like newer basic Land Cruisers, however the 1958 and First Version trims get much more retro-looking rounded lamps. With out having seen both in particular person but, my vote can be for the spherical lights. If you happen to’re gonna get a retro off-roader, go all in.

Whereas the seems to be could also be retro, the engineering beneath them is definitely not. For the primary time for the reason that 100 Sequence’ introduction in 1998, the Land Cruiser not has a V8 engine beneath its hood. As a substitute, all 2024 Cruisers will include a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder mated to a hybrid drivetrain. Now, earlier than you get all involved, keep in mind that hybrid energy is a alternative for displacement: Toyota claims 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, in addition to a 6,000-pound tow ranking on all fashions.

One would possibly count on this hybrid drivetrain to remedy the Cruiser’s longstanding struggles with gasoline economic system, however that continues to be to be seen. Toyota says that gasoline mileage estimates are but to come back, and can comply with someday earlier than the brand new truck hits dealership flooring.

The brand new Land Cruiser shares its structure with Toyota’s different vans — the Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra, in addition to the Lexus GX and LX. It’s shared with the outdated 200 Sequence as nicely, however the brand new Cruiser is barely extra compact than its older brother. It’s 193.7 inches lengthy, 73.2 inches excessive, and a curious 84.2 inches large. The previous two measurements are every roughly an inch smaller than the 200 Sequence, however the latter is over six inches wider — which runs opposite to Toyota’s claims of a newly narrowed chassis. In all chance, the measurement for the brand new truck merely consists of the aspect mirrors.

The brand new Cruiser has an up to date Multi-Terrain Choose characteristic, which tunes traction management to accommodate for various surfaces off-road. It additionally will get an 8-inch infotainment show, upgradeable to 12.3 inches for the fancier fashions. Each trim will get keyless begin, although distant begin from Toyota’s cell app is locked behind a subscription. Can’t win ‘em all, I assume.

Toyota expects the brand new Land Cruiser to hit sellers this coming Spring, with pricing and gasoline economic system estimates to be launched nearer to the automotive’s arrival. The corporate has, nonetheless, stated that the brand new truck “will begin within the mid-$50,000 vary” — a large shift from the $85,000 beginning worth the 200 Sequence had by the tip of its run. That probably means extra Cruisers on the roads; with these seems to be, I received’t be complaining.