2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Premium
You could be forgiven for forgetting the Land Cruiser ever existed in Canada. It hasn’t been sold here since 1989, before grunge music hit the airwaves, before the rise of smartphones, and long before the Lexus brand came along. While the rest of the world got to enjoy new generations of this legendary SUV, Canadians were gently nudged toward its more luxurious cousins like the Lexus GX and LX.
Now, in 2024, the Land Cruiser is finally back on Canadian roads. But it’s not exactly what older fans might remember. The new Land Cruiser Premium is a midsize SUV that combines authentic off-road ability with modern hybrid power. It’s still built on a rugged body-on-frame platform, the same global truck TNGA-F platform used by the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia, but it’s been sized and tuned for a new kind of mission: real-world utility with everyday comfort.
My test model arrived in Heritage Blue with a contrasting white roof, a colour scheme that pays tribute to the vintage FJ40s of the past. It looked sharp without being flashy. This particular one had the rectangular multi-projector LED headlights, which felt more refined and modern than the round lights offered on lower 1958 lower trim model. Personally, I felt that this design also suits the squared-off fenders and boxy silhouette better, at least in my opinion.
What’s New?
Almost everything about the 2024 Land Cruiser is brand new, at least for Canadians.
This is the first time since the late 1980s that Toyota has offered the Land Cruiser nameplate here. And it comes back with a distinctly modern twist. Gone is the old-school V8. In its place is a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, part of Toyota’s i-FORCE MAX system. It makes 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, and it’s paired with a traditional 8-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive.
In Canada, the Land Cruiser is offered in a few different trims. A base 1958 package with retro round LED headlamps, then the well-equipped standard package. Finally, the Land Cruiser Premium package, which includes all of the bells and whistles including 20-inch wheels, running boards, Rigid Industries multi-colour foglamps, a 14 watt JBL sound system, and heated/ventilated leather seats.
While the 1958 model is more basic, in North America, there is no stripped-down base workhorse. That being said, my premium package fully loaded version came complete with locking differentials, skid plates, terrain modes, and Toyota’s latest safety tech.
One important detail for growing Canadian families: there’s no third-row option. Because the hybrid battery lives under the rear cargo floor, this Land Cruiser is strictly a five-seater. If you need extra passenger space, you’ll have to look at the Lexus GX550, which shares the same architecture but uses a twin-turbo V6 instead of the hybrid.
Exterior Styling
The 2024 Land Cruiser has the presence of a compact military vehicle that discovered modern grooming products. It’s boxy, upright, and square-jawed — and I mean that as a compliment. The proportions are tighter than the 4Runner and the old 200 Series Land Cruiser, making it easier to live with in city traffic, suburban parking lots, or off the beaten path on tighter trails.
The rectangular LED headlamps on my Premium tester are inspired by the 1980s FJ62, and their multi-projector setup provides excellent nighttime visibility without overwhelming the retro aesthetic. For the 2025 model year, there’s an alternative round-headlight version available on only the base 1958 model. Frankly, the rectangular lights suits the design better.
20-inch wheels, colour-coded-black bumpers, and aluminum skid plates reinforce its rugged credibility. It’s not trying to be a mall crawler in disguise. This thing was also built for the backroads.
While increasingly rare these days, I also appreciated the separate pop-up rear glass window in the tailgate, making it easy to load longer or lighter items in tight parking spaces.
Cabin Technology and Interior
Step inside, and the Land Cruiser Premium walks a fine line between rugged utility and comfort. The cabin design is more functional than fancy, with rubberized knobs, physical switches, and leather seats that look upscale while still being wipe-down friendly. Lower trim models either get cloth or water-resistant SofTex leatherette seats.
A 12.3-inch central touchscreen runs Toyota’s latest infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thankfully, the climate controls are handled by physical dials, which is a relief when you’re driving through rough terrain.
Ergonomically, the cabin is well laid out. The driver's seat is heated, ventilated, and supportive enough for long drives. The second row is roomy for adults, though the upright posture reminds you this vehicle was designed to prioritize utility. There’s also a Qi wireless charger, USB-C ports in both rows, and the 14 speaker JBL sound system that fills the cabin with decent sound quality.
Interestingly, Toyota opted to leave in the third row cupholders, overhead grab handles, and rear A/C vents from markets outside North America.
Visibility is excellent. Between the tall roof, upright windshield, and big side windows, you get a commanding view of the road without feeling like you're piloting a school bus. It’s one of the easiest midsize SUVs to place in tight urban traffic.
That being said, the portrait-style rectangular outside rearview mirrors are a little less wide angle that I’d like. Occasionally, I was longing for a wider field of view to see vehicles in the other lane. At least the digital rearview mirror’s wide angle makes up for part of this.
On a dark and rainy evening, the Multi-Terrain Monitor’s overhead camera helped thread the Land Cruiser into a narrow underground parking garage off-ramp between a Range Rover and a concrete pillar. Thank goodness for technology.
Cargo space is excellent, though the hybrid battery does compromise some cargo space to to the raised load floor.
Under the Hood
The Land Cruiser uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 48-hp electric motor and an 8-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 326 horsepower and a very usable 465 lb-ft of torque.
That torque figure arrives early and stays with you throughout the rev range, which makes everyday driving easy. Towing capacity is rated at 6,000 pounds, while cargo space behind the second row is 1,063 litres. The load floor is raised due to the hybrid battery placement, and since there's no third row, cargo expands easily when you fold the rear seats.
In everyday driving, the hybrid system operates smoothly, switching between gas and electric modes without drama. But when you put your foot down to merge onto the highway, the engine gets loud. It’s not unrefined, but it doesn’t hide its four-cylinder roots either.
That said, fuel economy is much better than expected. We averaged just over 10 L/100 km during a week of mixed driving, including highway cruising and stop-and-go city traffic.
Like most modern Toyotas, the Land Cruiser offers multiple drive modes that help to configure the driveline characteristics of the power train and chassis.
How Does It Drive?
This is a truck-based SUV, and it feels like one — in a good way. The ride is firm but never punishing. The suspension handles potholes, speed bumps, and gravel without transmitting much to the cabin. It always feels confident.
The steering is light but accurate. Highway stability is solid, and the brake pedal has a reassuring, progressive feel even with the regenerative hybrid layer baked in.
On the wet, leafy roads of North Vancouver, traction was never in question thanks to the full-time four-wheel-drive system and all-terrain tires. Off-road, it’s more capable than most buyers will ever need. Crawl Control, locking differentials, and Multi-Terrain Select work as advertised. There’s a sense of calm and competence when you put it into the rough stuff.
Noise levels on the highway are impressively low. The wind is well managed, and the tires don’t drone too much. It’s a quiet cruiser, whether you’re on the Trans-Canada or a snowy backroad.
Additional TechDriven-Approved Features
Multi-Terrain Monitor with underbody and side camera views
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with adaptive cruise, lane tracing, and intersection assist
Heated steering wheel and ventilated/heated seats
Really cool multi-coloured projector-styled foglamps
The infotainment system is fast and responsive, but not quite as polished as some luxury rivals. Still, it works well and gets the job done
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Premium is a smart return for one of Toyota’s most storied nameplates. It blends vintage appeal with modern engineering and hits a sweet spot for Canadians who want a capable SUV that’s also easy to live with.
It’s not perfect. The engine can sound buzzy under load, and the lack of third-row seating may turn off some families. But as a daily driver that can handle weekend adventures, winter storms, and everything in between, the Land Cruiser delivers.
If you’ve been waiting for a traditional body-on-frame SUV to come back to Canada, this is it. The Land Cruiser is no longer just a memory. The icon has officially returned.
5 Key Takeaways
The Land Cruiser is back in Canada for the first time since 1989.
Hybrid power means better fuel economy and strong low-end torque.
There’s no third-row seat due to the hybrid battery under the cargo floor.
Towing capacity is 6,000 pounds and cargo space is over 1,000 litres.
It’s more off-road capable than most buyers will ever need, but still easy to drive daily.
