Finally, Toyota rolls out new-generation Land Cruiser today August 1

Finally, Toyota rolls out new-generation Land Cruiser today August 1

The waiting game is finally over for lovers of the iconic Land Cruiser as Toyota Motor Corporation will tonight August 1, 2023 unveil the 2024 edition of the SUV.

The off-road rig is expected to rock a design that is a big departure from the 300 Series Land Cruiser.

Motor1.com reports on Tuesday that the Land Cruiser nameplate left the US market after the 2021 model year. However, the off-roader won’t be the LC300 available globally but rather the smaller and more affordable Prado.

The Japanese brand has been calling this model simply Land Cruiser in Europe for a while and it looks like it will be the same story in North America.

Auto Evolution also says the Land Cruiser is expected to be a sister model to the Lexus GX.

Elsewhere, the vehicle will be known as the Land Cruiser Prado, although it is not certain which markets will get the off-road SUV.

The reason for the choice of the name in North America is that the region does not get the latest J300 Land Cruiser, with the fourth-generation J310 Lexus LX filling that niche instead.

Giving some hints about what to expect from tonight’s unveiling, motor1.com says the teaser images have suggested it will be a boxy SUV with retro cues, square lights, and chunky plastic body cladding.

“Logic tells us the US-bound 2024 Land Cruiser will be mechanically related to the new Lexus GX but obviously less fancy to undercut its posh sibling.

“ At the same time, it should be significantly cheaper than the old Land Cruiser. We’re expecting a starting price of under $60,000,” the reviewer states.

One of the adjacent teaser images shows the four-wheel-drive selector suggesting the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will always send power to both axles.

“While it likely won’t match the off-road prowess of its bigger brother, its capabilities off the beaten path should be more than enough for most people looking for an adventure in the wilderness,” it adds.

Toyota has confirmed its intention to sell the 2024 Land Cruiser in Europe where the Prado name was dropped some years ago.

The technical specifications of the new SUV are still shrouded in mystery although no major changes are expected compared to the Lexus GX.

People are curious if the twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 is planned or the new LC will be sold only with four-cylinder engines.