Toyota Land Cruiser vs Toyota 4Runner

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser held a timeless, quintessential appeal that drew from its storied past. The J250 model was iconic and boxy, featuring a flat roof that paid homage to the Cruisers of yesteryear. Each of the three trims, including one "heritage edition," boasted details reminiscent of past models. The heritage grille spelled “TOYOTA” across the front, taking inspiration from the 40 series. Meanwhile, the base 1958 trim and the top-tier First Edition had round headlights that echoed the 20 series, and the rectangular headlights on the mid-level trim referred to the FJ62. All of these lighting elements were equipped with modern LED technology, intertwining classic design with contemporary standards. The higher trims even sported color-selectable fog lights from RIGID Industries.

Driver comfort was a significant update, with the beltline lowered for improved visibility. Every 2024 Land Cruiser came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, though the middle trim offered optional 20-inch wheels. The First Edition was additionally equipped with off-road gear like a roof rack, a front skid plate, and mudflaps. Inside, the base 1958 trim featured cloth seating surfaces, whereas the mid-level trim upgraded to SofTex, and the First Edition opted for real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel came standard across all trims. The Premium Package, available for the top two trims, added a moonroof and ventilated front seats, enhancing the already comfortable and visually appealing cabin.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was described as both classic and outdated, reminiscent of its last redesign in the 2010 model year. Although it had undergone minor refreshes, it was in dire need of a modern makeover. However, for an all-terrain vehicle, the 4Runner's boxy shape remained fitting. Its flared fenders provided a wide stance, contributing to a robust look critical for off-road stability. The rugged appearance was further sharpened by the chunky, beveled shapes of the grille and liftgate. The TRD Pro trim included underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, reinforcing its off-roading capabilities.

Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling and dated technology were apparent. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen felt particularly out-of-sync with modern standards. Hard plastics filled much of the interior, although frequently touched surfaces were cushioned. Seat upholstery attempted to mimic leather but resembled vinyl. Visibility from the driver’s seat was excellent, aided by forward-pushed front roof pillars — a crucial feature for technical terrain navigation.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser used Toyota’s i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor. This setup generated a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case allowed for high and low range. The Multiterrain Select system operated in either 4Hi or 4Lo, enhancing its versatility.

Standard features included an automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and center-locking differentials. A push-button disconnect for the front sway bar was available on mid and top trims, which improved off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function had five speed settings and operated silently, enhancing its low-speed performance over rough terrain. Despite spending our test almost exclusively off-road, the Land Cruiser’s combination of a turbocharged engine and electric motor provided ample power and seamless performance.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Although these numbers were respectable, the five-speed transmission lagged behind the competition's more responsive ten-speed or eight-speed options. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, while other trims offered rear-wheel drive with 4WD as an option.

On-road performance was a weak point for the 4Runner. It felt sluggish during highway merges and its rear-end squat, coupled with a soft suspension, created an uncomfortable riding experience. The V6 engine was loud and sounded strained under acceleration. Off-road, however, the 4Runner's performance was less hindered by these issues, but body roll was significant during cornering. The suspension allowed for great wheel articulation off-road but resulted in a floaty and bouncy ride over asphalt, especially when unloaded.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, configured as the Prado, offered a two-row seating arrangement. Front headroom measured 36.1 inches, while rear headroom was 35.3 inches. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the back. The center console was designed with essential off-road controls within easy reach, including switches for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and differential lockers. Hard controls for climate and media were placed below the infotainment screen for easy access. A wireless charging pad, available in equipped models, sat just ahead of the cupholders. The Premium Package, standard on the First Edition, included a center console cool box.

The Land Cruiser's rear cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a raised load floor and a rubber mat in the mid-level trim that facilitated easy cleaning. The trunk came with a standard 120-volt AC outlet, powered by a 2400-watt inverter, and featured additional USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior layout was straightforward but aged. The controls were easily accessible and user-friendly, even with gloves on. Sturdy handles helped passengers stabilize themselves on rough terrain. The driver’s seat offered excellent visibility, essential for off-road driving. The 4Runner provided ample space up front, but the steering wheel’s limited telescopic adjustment might have posed an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom but slightly limited headroom. Select trims included a third row of seating.

Interior storage was abundant, with several compartments and cupholders throughout the cabin. The rear cargo area provided up to 47.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats stowed. However, stowing the seats required manual effort. The 4Runner lacked modern conveniences like a powered or hands-free liftgate, but it featured a unique sliding rear window for easy gear access. Properly equipped, it could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was handy for small campers or trailers.

The Land Cruiser's technology suite included the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on the higher trims. This system turned the 12.3-inch center touchscreen into a valuable tool for off-road navigation. For infotainment purposes, the large screen was practical, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base trim featured an eight-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a ten-speaker system or an upgraded 14-speaker JBL system as part of the Premium Package. Other Premium Package features included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

By contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner came with an eight-inch touchscreen that, while sufficient, felt small and outdated. The infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but lacked the specialized off-road apps found in some competitors. The TRD Pro trim featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road and engine noise made it difficult to appreciate. Additional terrain controls on the headliner console were less user-friendly, requiring a thorough reading of the manual to understand their full capabilities.

The 2024 Land Cruiser had not been rated by either the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota’s history of producing safe vehicles, combined with features from platform-mates like the Tundra, inspired confidence. The Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added features like lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist to the mid-level trim, with these being standard on the First Edition.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner earned mixed safety ratings. NHTSA awarded it four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars for rollovers. IIHS scores were similarly varied, with high marks in moderate frontal overlap and side tests, but lower scores in newer small overlap tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, with only the Limited also featuring parking sensors.