Sometimes a vehicle just has a special aura to it. My review vehicle this week, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, is one of those vehicles. The fact that it's an iconic nameplate certainly has something to do with it. But it's much more than that. It's the feeling of excitement it evokes. You just feel like you're the coolest kid on the block. While there are a lot of fantastic vehicles out there today, few vehicles have that kind of power. Technically, this Land Cruiser generation is designated as the 250 Series.
Exterior
The Land Cruiser just looks old-school retro cool, for one. Its boxy looks can't help but remind one of the revered FJ Cruiser. Its Smoky Blue hue paired with a two-tone Grayscape roof and 18-inch matte gray alloys are uniquely attention-grabbing in all the right ways.
I love the vintage-inspired front end too with a black Toyota Heritage grille and rectangular headlights inspired by the FJ62. The modern-day Land Cruiser is treated to Triple Beam LED headlights w/daytime running lights.
While great as a daily driver, the Land Cruiser makes no attempt to disguise its legendary status as an extremely off-road capable vehicle. It's equipped with Rigid Industries white/amber switchable LED fog lights and a front skid plate.
Up top, in addition to standard roof rails, an optional Roof Rack is clearly up to the task of carrying your outdoor adventure gear. The pop up rear window is such a great feature.
Performance
The Land Cruiser is powered by an i-FORCE MAX hybrid 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine mated to an 8-speed automatic. The powertrain delivers 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It's equipped with full-time four-wheel drive, and electronically controlled locking rear and center differential
This thing is packed with trail-ready tech and convenience features, too. Crawl Control with downhill assist control, along with multi-terrain monitor and multi-terrain select.
Interior
The Land Cruiser's roomy interior is well-designed and executed. An optional Premium package adds wonderful Java-hued leather-trimmed seats, a memory driver's seat and power front seats. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard as is a leather-trimmed, heated steering wheel. Door panels are a mix of soft touch and plastic. The door handles could use more heft to them.
Tech is fantastic thanks to two available 12.3-inch screens. One is the gauge cluster with great center graphics when you change drive modes. The other is the touchscreen that runs Toyota's responsive multimedia system with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The "Hey Toyota" voice command system works well. The Premium package upgrades to a 14-speaker JBL sound system which sounds really great and is my favorite Toyota audio system yet.
The wide center console doesn't disguise the Land Cruiser's off-road capability. It's a command center of controls for its many off-road functions. Large squared-off cupholders mean business. The use of glossy black is very minimal - something a bit unusual for Toyota. The center console hides an optional "Cool Box" - and brrr! Is it cold! Exactly what you want for for road trips on a hot summer day.
The roomy 60/40 split second row features stadium seating so you'll lose a little headroom. The reclining seats are comfortable, though the drop-down armrest is on the shorter length side. It's great to see Toyota went with soft-touch seat backs - an unexpected and worth-a-mention move.
The 2nd-row digital climate center is also extremely well done - and even has the Land Cruiser wording across the top trim piece. It's one of the best-looking digital control centers for passengers that I can recall seeing in the mainstream segment. One thing that is on my wish list - rear manual sunshades. I have to say the optional rubber car floor mats are fantastic.
A lever on the 2nd-row seat gives you easy access to the cargo area. With no third row, oh wow, is cargo space fantastic! You could throw a party back there. There is a bit of under storage area too. The optional carpeted cargo mat adds upscale appeal. New for 2025: integrated liftgate lights.
Other standard features include a power liftgate, heated/ventilated front seats, rain sensing wipers, windshield wiper de-icer, and three-zone climate. Four USB-C ports are standard as well as a 2400-Watt AC inverter house type plug (120V) in the cargo area.
Ride and Drive
The Land Cruiser's truck-based ride and drive is in a word, outstanding. This is an incredibly enjoyable SUV to drive and it's surprisingly easy to maneuver. It's a heavy vehicle given its rugged nature and equipment, but acceleration is no issue thanks to Toyota's fantastic powertrain. Sport mode gives you sharper acceleration and greater steering response. A great suspension means a smooth ride on the highway.
While this could certainly serve as a family SUV - you definitely need to keep ground clearance in mind. For smaller kids, for instance, and in my own personal experience, I would not recommend taking your 80+ senior parents around town in it, (unless they are incredible nimble). The high 8.7-inch ground clearance makes entry challenging for those with mobility issues (even with must-have running boards.) I used a small step to aid in entry as well, and the large hand grips are definitely helpful.
Safety
The 2025 Land Cruiser lineup is equipped with Toyota's latest safety tech. Toyota Sense 3.0 is fantastic. Additionally, the lineup is equipped with Blind Spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Safety Alert. The Premium Package adds a wonderful color Head-Up Display, Lane Change Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Digital Key and Traffic Jam Assist.
I will second what Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds said in his 2024 Land Cruiser First Edition review - the driver attention monitor is quite the taskmaster if you take your eyes off the road!
Options
The Premium Package ($4,600) includes the extra safety features mentioned above, plus the 14-speaker JBL sound system, illuminated entry, power moonroof with sunshade, center console Cool Box, Digital Rearview mirror, wireless charging, leather-trimmed driver memory seat, and power front seats.
Other options include: Liftgate Light ($195), Two Tone Roof ($350), Carpet Cargo mat ($130), Carpet Floor mats ($199), Ball mount ($80), Illuminated Door Sills ($360), Roof Rack ($1440), and Front Skids w/SDM ($805).
What You'll Pay
Price as equipped runs $72,059 with transportation- a fantastic price for such an off-road capable SUV.
Verdict
Sure it's an off-road legend. But the modern Land Cruiser is about a lot more than rugged road manners. It checks all the boxes off of a fantastic daily driver - one ready for the road ahead no matter where it leads you.
- What I liked most: Love its looks, interior color, driving dynamics and head-up display.
- What I would change: Would love a panoramic sunroof option.
- MSRP: Base price $62,450. As equipped $72,059 with transportation.
- Fuel Economy: 22 city/25 highway/23 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 1,171 miles.
- Official Color: Smoky Blue paired with two-tone roof ($350).
- Weight: 5,037.5 curb weight pounds, 6,725 pounds GVWR.
- Length-Width-Height: 193.8" long/ 77.9 " wide/ 76.1 " high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.9 gallons with filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: 6,000 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-size spare on alloy wheel, mounted under body.
- Final Assembly Point: Hamura, Tokyo, Japan.
- 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser in a few words: The allure of the Land Cruiser is alive and well.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile power train warranty, 8-year/100,000 mile hybrid warranty, 2 years free maintenance.
- Manufacturer’s website: Toyota
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