The Toyota Land Cruiser is the last word all-around car. 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. Not less than, it was the last 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 suits higher below 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 traditional 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 actually not. For the primary time because the 100 Sequence’ introduction in 1998, the Land Cruiser now not has a V8 engine beneath its hood. As an alternative, all 2024 Cruisers will include a 2.4-liter 4 cylinder mated to a hybrid drivetrain. Now, earlier than you get all involved, do not forget 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 gas financial 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 It’s shared with the outdated 200 Sequence as properly, however the brand new Cruiser is barely extra compact than its older brother.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 extensive. 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 facet mirrors.

The brand new Cruiser has an up to date Multi-Terrain Choose function, 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 cellular 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 gas financial system estimates to be launched nearer to the automobile’s arrival. The corporate has, nevertheless, mentioned that the brand new truck “will begin within the mid-$50,000 vary” — a large shift from the $85,000 beginning value the 200 Sequence had by the top of its run. That doubtless means extra Cruisers on the roads; with these seems to be, I received’t be complaining.