Toyota’s SUV lineup made sense before the 2024 Land Cruiser’s US return. Toyota has long offered the 4Runner. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for mountain or shopping trips. Families looking for a more significant automobile may like the Sequoia. Adventure-focused Land Cruisers were bigger than Sequoias. Now smaller and cheaper, it threatens the 4Runner in nearly every way. Toyota says the 2024 Land Cruiser will start at $50,000. Land Cruisers are expensive since they were never mass-produced. It costs $30,000 less than the 200 Series it replaced. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner SR5 costs $41,990, including shipping. The TRD Pro costs $55,955. Automakers want their autos priced competitively, but usually against other brands and models. We asked a Toyota rep about the 4Runner during the Land Cruiser premiere. “4Runner is very important for the North American market,” they said. Land Cruiser grades are simpler than 4Runner grades. The 1958 Land Cruiser and the limited-edition First Edition are the only Land Cruiser models at launch. The 4Runner has eight trims: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro, and 40th Anniversary. The Land Cruiser is more focused than the 4Runner, which is more scattershot. The 2025 4Runner, on the TNGA-F platform, will likely resemble the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. A hybrid or 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine swap is likely. Toyota won’t cut the 4Runner’s pricing like the Land Cruiser did due to platform adaptability. Only the 2009 Toyota 4Runner features a five-speed automatic transmission. Toyota selling a superior product for less in the same market is odd. The 4Runner will cost more when technology and extras are introduced. Toyota’s two off-road vehicles: compatible? Yes, but new automobile buyers may need help choosing between the two. The Land Cruiser and 4Runner used to cost enough for a Camry. Now that the base Landy costs the same as the top 4Runner trim, more purchasers may upgrade.
