Toyota unveiled the new Land Cruiser

 Just three years after being discontinued in North America, the Toyota Land Cruiser is coming back — with an all-new, retro-styled design. Besides the classic looks, the new Land Cruiser will also have a more accessible price than before.

It follows a trend toward more off-road capability in new vehicles and a major upsurge in interest in classic truck-like SUVs. In 2021, Ford brought back its Bronco off-road SUV to capitalize on interest in that classic brand. The Toyota Land Cruiser has its own similarly passionate fan base, reports CNN.

The new Land Cruiser is slightly smaller than the previous version, last sold in the United States in the 2021 model year. That version was closely related to the Lexus LX luxury SUV and was fairly opulent for a Toyota, with a starting price of over $80,000. Prices for the new Land Cruiser will start at around $55,000, further underscoring the model’s roots as a rugged off-roader rather than a comfortable errand-runner. It’s expected to be available in the United States in the spring of 2024.

For those who really want to tap into Land Cruiser history, customers in the United States will be offered the Land Cruiser 1958 Edition, commemorating the year the model was first offered in the United States. It will feature classic styling cues like round headlights instead of the standard narrow, rectangular lights. A limited run of 5,000 First Edition models also will be available with two-tone paint and extra off-road equipment.

Despite the classic looks, the 2024 Land Cruiser will have modern hybrid power. The SUV will have a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine working with an electric motor to produce a total of up to 326 horsepower. Fuel economy figures will be announced later, Toyota said.

Toyota, which recently announced plans to offer more fully electric vehicles, has a long-standing commitment to hybrids, believing they play an important role in reducing global carbon emissions.

/MHK/