2025 Toyota Land Cruiser: A Retro Throwback with Modern Muscle

The automotive landscape is constantly shifting, with trends coming and going faster than ever. Yet, some vehicles possess a timeless appeal, enduring through generations. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a prime example, a name synonymous with ruggedness, reliability, and go-anywhere capability. Just when we thought the iconic Land Cruiser might be fading from the American market, Toyota surprised enthusiasts with a brand new generation. And it’s not just new; it’s smaller, lighter, more efficient, and dare we say, more appealing than its predecessor. We recently got our hands on the base model, dubbed the “1958” edition – a nod to its heritage – and put it through its paces in real-world conditions, far removed from manicured press event scenarios. Forget majestic vistas and epic road trips; we’re talking about snow-slushy streets and junkyard runs. This is our in-depth review of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, focusing on what makes this reimagined legend a compelling choice for modern adventurers and everyday drivers alike.

Our time with the Land Cruiser 1958 wasn’t spent conquering Moab trails or fording remote rivers. Instead, it became our trusty companion during a more mundane, yet equally demanding, task: helping wrench on a high-mileage taxi project. This meant countless trips across town, hauling heavy parts, and transforming the Land Cruiser into a mobile workshop and dining space (think fast food in parking lots). In short, we used it like a tool, a workhorse, a vehicle in its purest form. And in this role, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser excelled, proving its worth in the most practical and unglamorous scenarios imaginable.

The 2025 Land Cruiser: A Legend Reborn, and Refined

The Toyota Land Cruiser badge carries significant weight. Globally recognized for its unwavering toughness and dependability, it’s a vehicle that has earned its reputation in the harshest environments. After a brief hiatus in the US market, Toyota reintroduced the Land Cruiser with this new generation for the 2024 model year, which will continue into 2025. Remarkably, Toyota opted for a different approach this time around. Instead of making it bigger and more luxurious, they went the opposite direction. The 2025 Land Cruiser is smaller, lighter, simpler, and more affordable – a refreshing change in a market often obsessed with excess.

The model we tested, the “1958,” is the base trim, a deliberate move by Toyota to offer a more accessible entry point to the Land Cruiser family. The higher trims, simply named “Land Cruiser,” cater to those seeking more premium features. Despite being the base model, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 still commands a starting price of around $58,150, with our test vehicle priced at $59,979. While not inexpensive, it represents a significant value proposition compared to the outgoing generation and many competitors in the premium SUV segment.

Aesthetically, the 1958 model shines. Its retro-inspired design, featuring classic round headlamps and all-black bumpers, is undeniably more appealing than the higher-spec trims in our eyes. It exudes a friendly, approachable vibe, unlike the somewhat imposing look of the more upscale versions.

Consider the visual difference: the 1958 model with its honest, rugged charm:

…and the higher-spec Land Cruiser, which while undoubtedly capable, carries a more serious and less approachable demeanor:

While the higher trims boast features like ventilated front seats, premium sound systems, larger infotainment screens, and wider all-terrain tires, the question remains: are these truly essential for the core Land Cruiser experience? The 1958 model focuses on delivering the essentials – capability, durability, and a touch of classic style – without unnecessary frills, making it arguably the more authentic and appealing Land Cruiser in the lineup.

Exterior Styling: A Masterclass in Rugged Simplicity

Toyota’s design language has evolved, thankfully moving away from overly complex and ornamented aesthetics. The 2025 Land Cruiser embodies a welcome return to simplicity and purposeful design. Its boxy silhouette, chunky proportions, and carefully considered surface details strike a perfect balance between ruggedness and refinement. The diagonal-line-cutoff corner theme adds a subtle yet distinctive touch, contributing to its overall visual appeal.

The undercut along the lower doors is a particularly clever design element, effectively reducing the perceived visual bulk and adding a sense of dynamism to the profile. The entire design package conveys a sense of purpose and capability without resorting to aggressive or overstated styling cues that plague many modern SUVs.

Comparing the 2025 model to the previous generation Land Cruiser highlights the design evolution:

The older model appears cluttered and overwrought, with excessive chrome, vents, and an overly tall and bulky stance. The 2025 Land Cruiser, in contrast, embraces a more restrained and functional aesthetic. By reducing size, weight, and ornamentation, Toyota has created a vehicle that feels more aligned with the original spirit of the Land Cruiser.

The new design exudes an understated confidence, projecting the image of a reliable tool ready to tackle any task. It’s an unassuming yet capable machine, perfectly embodying the Land Cruiser ethos.

Minor design quibbles are few and far between. The tow hitch cover appears somewhat bulky and unnecessary. A more streamlined or exposed hitch receiver would arguably be more in line with the vehicle’s rugged character.

However, this is a minor detail and perhaps offers some protection in low-speed rear impacts.

The lighting design is a standout feature. The round headlights with horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights (DRLs), along with the additional DRL/sidelights forming an “=” sign within the indicator unit, add a touch of visual flair and modern sophistication. The fog/driving lamp, however, appears somewhat small and could benefit from a larger, more prominent lens, perhaps even in a classic yellow hue for enhanced visibility in inclement weather.

One notable area for improvement is the color palette. The “Meteor Shower” gray of our test vehicle, while acceptable, is hardly inspiring. The limited color options, primarily shades of gray, black, and white, are underwhelming. While higher trims offer a blue and a gold-ish hue, the overall selection remains restricted. The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser would greatly benefit from more vibrant and adventurous color choices, such as a yellow, vivid blue, or a classic forest green, to truly reflect its adventurous spirit.

Interior Comfort and Practicality: Cloth is King

Stepping inside the 2025 Land Cruiser 1958 is a refreshing experience, primarily due to one key element: cloth. In an era dominated by leather and synthetic leather interiors, the cloth upholstery in the 1958 model is a welcome throwback. It evokes a sense of retro comfort, reminiscent of classic rec-room furniture, offering a warm and inviting ambiance.

The interior design ethos mirrors the exterior – unpretentious and welcoming. This is a space designed for function and comfort, not ostentatious luxury. While plastic is prevalent throughout the door trim, dashboard, and other surfaces, it is honest and durable-feeling plastic.

Some dashboard plastics even offer a pleasingly soft-touch feel, while others are more akin to robust, hard-wearing materials. However, nothing feels flimsy or cheap. For a vehicle in this price range, the use of durable plastics is perfectly acceptable and aligns with the Land Cruiser’s utilitarian nature. This isn’t about pampering luxury; it’s about robust functionality.

Despite being a body-on-frame SUV that also houses a hybrid battery, the interior space is surprisingly generous. The battery pack is cleverly integrated beneath the cargo floor, resulting in a remarkably flat and spacious cargo area.

The battery does raise the load floor slightly, increasing the lift-over height, but this is a reasonable compromise for the benefits of the hybrid powertrain.

At the front of the cargo area, practical storage compartments are integrated, ideal for stowing tools or smaller items.

The rear seats feature a 60/40 split-folding design and can be cleverly folded and rotated forward to maximize cargo space.

During our taxi project, we loaded the Land Cruiser with a variety of items, including a full set of tires, without any space constraints. The interior proved to be exceptionally versatile and accommodating.

Overall, the interior of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 is a highlight. It’s spacious, durable, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The focus on practicality and robust materials, combined with the retro charm of cloth upholstery, creates a genuinely appealing and functional space. The higher-spec trims may offer more luxurious appointments, but for sheer usability and authentic Land Cruiser character, the 1958 model’s interior is hard to fault.

Driving Dynamics: Hybrid Power and Refined Handling

A significant departure from previous Land Cruiser generations is the powertrain. Purists may have initially balked at the replacement of the traditional V8 with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, but this is no ordinary four-cylinder. Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid system pairs the engine with two electric motors, delivering a combined output of 326 horsepower and a robust 465 lb-ft of torque (updated from original article’s 426 lb-ft for accuracy). This hybrid powertrain provides ample power and surprisingly brisk acceleration for a vehicle of this size and weight, achieving 0-60 mph in a respectable 7.7 seconds.

While a manual transmission might appeal to some enthusiasts, the 2025 Land Cruiser comes exclusively with a smooth and unobtrusive 8-speed automatic transmission.

Under the hood, the engine bay is densely packed with hoses and wiring, a testament to the complexity of the hybrid system.

The prominent orange cables indicate the high-voltage components of the hybrid system, which contributes to the vehicle’s commendable fuel economy. The official EPA ratings are 22 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Our real-world testing confirmed these figures, with fuel economy consistently in the low-to-mid 20s.

Electric-only driving is possible in limited situations, such as low-speed maneuvering in parking lots or residential areas. While the electric mode is quiet and smooth, its range is very limited.

Handling is surprisingly composed for a tall, heavy, and boxy SUV. The smaller dimensions of this new generation Land Cruiser contribute to improved agility compared to its predecessor. The 2025 model is easy and undemanding to drive, with confident acceleration, strong brakes, and excellent visibility.

We had the opportunity to test the full-time 4WD system in snowy and icy conditions, and the Land Cruiser 1958 proved remarkably stable and capable. Even at highway speeds on slick roads and on unplowed back roads, the vehicle maintained composure. Engaging 4-Low mode provided уверенность for tackling steeper, snow-covered inclines – all on standard all-season tires. With proper off-road tires and an experienced driver, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is undoubtedly a highly competent off-road machine.

Technology and User Experience: Functionality Over Flash

One of the most appealing aspects of Toyota’s infotainment system is its unobtrusiveness. The 2025 Land Cruiser supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to seamlessly integrate their smartphones and bypass Toyota’s native system for most functions. Crucially, essential controls remain physical buttons, minimizing the need to interact with the touchscreen interface. During our testing, the system primarily displayed an advertisement for Toyota’s navigation subscription service, a feature easily ignored thanks to the readily accessible physical controls.

The physical piano-key style buttons for climate control are generally well-executed. However, some buttons lack the expected up-and-down movement, creating a slight inconsistency in tactile feedback. Additionally, the buttons above the piano keys function more as labels than independent controls, which can be initially confusing.

Despite these minor ergonomic quirks, the presence of physical buttons is a major plus. Ample USB-C ports, user-friendly HVAC vents operable with gloves, and rear HVAC controls with a 2400W/120V power outlet further enhance practicality and convenience.

An unusual tech detail is the LCD instrument cluster. While generally conventional in its layout, it exhibits a surprisingly narrow viewing angle for a modern display. The passenger’s view of the cluster is significantly restricted unless they are directly in front of it.

While this may be unintentional, some drivers might appreciate the added privacy for their driving data.

The 2025 Land Cruiser is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, encompassing a suite of driver-assistance features including dynamic cruise control, lane keeping assist, and road sign recognition. While these systems are present and functional, they are not overly intrusive. Features like automatic high beams and lane departure alerts operate subtly, without being overly aggressive. More advanced features like Proactive Driving Assist were not extensively tested, as the focus remained on traditional, hands-on driving.

The Punctum: The Enduring Appeal of Simplicity

What is the essence of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser? Why should it matter to you?

The core appeal, particularly of the 1958 version, lies in its return to simplicity – in design, in functionality, and in overall ethos (powertrain complexity aside). It’s a highly capable vehicle that prioritizes utility and durability above all else. The subtle retro styling cues are tastefully integrated, enhancing its straightforward character. The cloth interior further reinforces this honest and functional approach. The 2025 Land Cruiser presents itself as a reliable partner, ready to assist without demanding undue attention or pampering.

Throughout our time with the Land Cruiser, it served as a dependable tool, readily fulfilling every demand placed upon it. It performed tasks with ease, comfort, and a quiet confidence. It seamlessly integrated into our daily routines, becoming an indispensable part of the work process. Like any good tool – a well-balanced hammer or a sharp X-acto knife – it faded into the background, its utility becoming its defining characteristic.

This understated competence is perhaps the highest praise one can bestow upon a vehicle designed for purpose. While a more accessible price point would undoubtedly broaden its appeal, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially in 1958 trim, represents a compelling return to the core values that have made the Land Cruiser a legend.