Toyota has recently announced the return of the Land Cruiser nameplate to the American market, and the automaker has now provided a teaser image of the upcoming SUV. This glimpse not only offers a sense of its overall appearance but also reveals that it will share a lot in common with the recently unveiled Lexus GX.
Several visual elements in the teaser photos point to the connection with the GX. Firstly, the Land Cruiser showcases a boxy profile and an upright front end, reminiscent of the GX. Additionally, there is a distinctive upswept sheet metal detail at the windowsill of the rear door, which is undeniably reminiscent of the GX’s design. Apart from these design cues, the overall size of the Land Cruiser is noteworthy. Toyota has captured the new SUV alongside an FJ40 Land Cruiser in a photograph, and although the new model is larger, the size difference is not as significant as one might expect when compared to the global 300-series Land Cruiser and its twin, the Lexus LX.
Not to mention, Toyota’s own press release corroborates what is visually apparent. It looks that the Land Cruiser destined for the USA is not the global version. The release states, “With 65 years of heritage, you can choose to slow down or reinvent yourself. We chose the latter.” In other words, this is not the Land Cruiser you you’ve seen released in other markets outside of the USA.
It is likely that the American variant will adopt the Prado name in other markets. Although it may not possess the size and direct lineage of its predecessors, the Prado still retains significant off-road capabilities.
Considering that this Land Cruiser will be smaller and not a full-fledged version, the American variant is expected to be more affordable compared to its 200-series predecessor, which had a starting price of over $85,000. While exact pricing details are yet to be disclosed, it would seem reasonable to expect a price point below the approximately $78,000 of the Sequoia TRD Pro.
The powertrain options are anticipated to be like those of the GX, featuring a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine and standard four-wheel drive. There is also a possibility of a hybrid version being introduced in the future.
The U.S. version of the Land Cruiser will be built on the TNGA-Frame platform, incorporating a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link solid-axle rear. It is likely to offer a third row of seats, either as a standard feature or an optional addition. While an official reveal date has not been announced, it can be expected that the SUV will be unveiled this year, with a projected launch scheduled for next year.
