After a brief hiatus, the Toyota Land Cruiser is officially back in the U.S. for 2025 — and it’s better than ever. I had the opportunity to spend a full week behind the wheel of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD Wagon Hybrid in Smokey Blue with Black interior, equipped with the Premium Package, and today I’m sharing my real-world experience. Whether you’re an off-road enthusiast, a daily driver looking for something reliable, or someone like me who needed a dependable SUV to haul supplies to my new bar, Bubby & Sissy’s in Alton, Illinois, this new Land Cruiser offers a lot to get excited about.
First Impressions: Classic Looks Meet Modern Toughness
From the moment I saw the Smokey Blue Land Cruiser parked in my driveway, it felt like Toyota had struck a perfect balance between heritage and modernity. The boxy, upright stance pays tribute to Land Cruisers of the past, while sharp LED lighting and 20-inch alloy wheels from the Premium Package add contemporary flair. It’s rugged without being cartoonishly aggressive, which is exactly what I think many buyers want in an adventure-ready SUV that still looks at home in the city.
Under the Hood: Hybrid Power with Real Muscle
Gone is the old V8. In its place is Toyota’s new i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. I’ll be honest — I was skeptical about a four-cylinder powering a Land Cruiser. But in practice, the hybrid setup felt strong and smooth, especially when hauling heavy supplies to Bubby & Sissy’s.
Torque delivery is instant thanks to the electric motor, and around town, the Land Cruiser moves with a sense of effortlessness. That said, if you’re hoping for neck-snapping acceleration, this isn’t that kind of SUV. On the highway, it’s perfectly adequate, but passing at higher speeds required a bit of planning.
Fuel economy is a huge win: I averaged around 22-23 MPG combined, which is outstanding for a body-on-frame, off-road-focused SUV. For comparison, the previous V8 Land Cruiser barely cracked 14 MPG.
On the Road: Comfortable, Capable, and Surprisingly Refined
The Land Cruiser rides on Toyota’s new TNGA-F platform, and it shows. Around Alton’s rough city streets and open highways, the ride was composed and comfortable. The steering is heavy (typical for an off-roader) but accurate, and the suspension easily soaked up potholes and imperfections. While it’s built for the trail, the Land Cruiser didn’t feel punishing at all during my daily errands or supply runs.
Off-road, the standard full-time 4WD system with low-range gearing, locking center differential, and locking rear differential makes this SUV feel nearly unstoppable. Though I didn’t get the chance to hit any major trails during my week, the Multi-Terrain Select system and Crawl Control make it clear this is still a true Land Cruiser at heart.
Interior Comfort and Tech: Tough Yet Modern
Inside, the 2025 Land Cruiser strikes a perfect balance between utilitarian toughness and modern convenience. My tester’s Premium Package brought upgrades like:
- Leather-trimmed, heated and ventilated seats
- 14-speaker JBL premium audio system
- Head-Up Display
- Digital rearview mirror
- Power moonroof
The 12.3-inch touchscreen was crisp and intuitive, and I appreciated the wireless Apple CarPlay during my busy week running back and forth between the bar and my home. Physical buttons for climate control and 4WD functions were a welcome sight. No digging through menus when you’re trying to get work done.
The two-row, five-seat layout gave me plenty of cargo space to move bar supplies, and the 120V outlet in the cargo area even came in handy when I needed to quickly power some equipment.
One thing to note: the cargo floor is higher than in some SUVs because of the full-size spare and rugged underpinnings. Not a huge deal, but something to be aware of if you’re frequently loading heavy items.
Safety Features: Toyota Covers All the Bases
Every 2025 Land Cruiser comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
These systems worked seamlessly during my drives. The adaptive cruise control, in particular, made highway stretches to pick up inventory much more relaxing.
Pricing: A More Accessible Land Cruiser
The 2025 Land Cruiser I drove, fully equipped with the Premium Package and a few dealer accessories like roof racks and running boards, stickered at around $73,344. That’s a far cry from the $85,000-plus price tag of the outgoing V8 model. Even better, a base “1958” model starts around $56,000, making this new generation much more accessible to a wider range of buyers.
For what you’re getting — real off-road chops, hybrid efficiency, classic looks, and modern tech — the new Land Cruiser represents serious value.
Final Thoughts: The Comeback We Needed
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t just a nameplate revival; it’s a smart evolution of everything that made the Land Cruiser legendary, updated for today’s world. It’s capable enough to tackle tough trails, comfortable enough to handle daily life, and efficient enough to make sense in a time when fuel prices aren’t getting any cheaper.
For me, it proved to be the perfect workhorse during a big week of hauling and errands for Bubby & Sissy’s — and I didn’t want to give the keys back.
If you’re looking for a rugged, reliable SUV that can do it all without sacrificing comfort or technology, the new Land Cruiser should be high on your list.
