2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
After disappearing altogether for a short time, the trail-friendly Toyota Land Cruiser returned for 2024 with a new two-SUV lineup. If reports turn out to be true, the range could be expanding further this year with a resurrected FJ model. Off-road-ready rivals include the Ford Bronco, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Land Rover Defender.
What’s New
A smaller version of the Land Cruiser is rumored to be arriving this year. Possibly named the Land Cruiser FJ, it could come with a pure electric or gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
What We Think
Like past iterations, this Land Cruiser delivers plenty of off-road capability and an equal amount of personality. On paved surfaces, the ride can be soft and wallowy, but secondary body motions are mostly well controlled. Power delivery from the hybrid powertrain is torquey and slightly gruff, and acceleration and fuel economy numbers are average at best, not surprising given how much the SUV weighs. Stay away from the vehicle’s limits, and the ride is comfortable, though some wind noise does permeate the cabin at higher speeds (mostly due to the Land Cruiser’s boxy shape).
The SUV’s retro styling is a little less obvious in the cabin, where we found many physical controls as well as an annoying alarm-triggering attention-tracking device on top of the steering column. Interior materials don’t quite befit the Land Cruiser’s price tag, either. That said, even the base model offers legitimate off-road goodness in a handsome, easygoing package.
Performance and MPGs
Every 2026 Land Cruiser should continue to be equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid powertrain like the one used for the 4Runner lineup. This setup employs a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission with integrated electric motor. Peak output measures 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. With standard 4WD, this Land Cruiser sprinted to 60 mph in a MotorTrend-tested 8.0 seconds, slightly on the pokey side.
Fuel economy for the 2024 model (the last time it was tested by the EPA) comes in at 22/25 mpg city/highway. The’s marginally worse than the 4Runner with the same powertrain, which gets a manufacturer-estimated 23/24 mpg city/highway.
Which Powertrain Will the Land Cruiser FJ Get?
Using the Land Cruiser’s i-Force Max hybrid powertrain seems like the easiest move for Toyota, or maybe even a detuned version that makes a little less output. If the FJ model is indeed smaller, it may not need as much grunt.
Toyota’s Compact Cruiser concept from 2022 previewed a different possibility—a smaller all-electric FJ with the Land Cruiser’s design language. The baby ute could ride on the carmaker’s e-TNGA EV architecture that underpins the bZ4x. That’s what Toyota did for the European C-HR+, an all-electric resurrection of the original small crossover. We could see the company doing the same for any new junior LC.
What’s an FJ Cruiser?
Sold from model years 2007 to 2014, the Toyota FJ Cruiser is the spiritual successor to the automaker’s original off-roader, the FJ40 Land Cruiser produced from the 1960s to the 1980s. In addition to its distinctive exterior styling, this retro midsize SUV also features a 4.0-liter V-6 that produces 239 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. Power increased to 259 hp for the 2010 model year. Stylish and ready to hit the trails, the original FJ Cruiser suffered from lackluster fuel economy and on-road driving dynamics that left much to be desired.
Safety Features
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is standard with the Land Cruiser. It features automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping and centering, traffic sign monitor, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring, trailer sway control, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking are also standard. Front cross-traffic alert, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror should remain optional for the top model.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Every Land Cruiser features two rows of seating with room for five passengers. Standard cargo capacity exceeds what the 2025 Ford Bronco offers. If there’s a smaller Land Cruiser FJ this year, look for similar passenger space but less cargo room, though hopefully more than the last FJ Cruiser.
Cargo Space (seats up/down)
- 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser: 46.2/82.2 cubic feet
- 2025 Ford Bronco: 35.6–38.3/77.6-83.0 cubic feet
- 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser: 27.9/66.8 cubic feet
Technology
In its base configuration, the 2026 Land Cruiser should continue to feature an 8.0-inch central touchscreen, 7.0-inch screen in the gauge cluster, and six speakers. Moving up to the top grade will unlock a 12.3-inch driver display and same-sized infotainment interface as well as 10 speakers. Toyota also offers optional 14-speaker JBL premium audio for the higher trim.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, six USB ports, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror should come on all variants. The optional wireless phone charger, driver’s seat memory, and power front passenger seat might become standard on the top model this year. It already comes with ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, power steering column, and multi-terrain monitor. The Land Cruiser’s head-up display and console cool box will likely remain optional equipment.
How Much? When?
The Land Cruiser’s two grades should return this year. The 1958 should remain the entry-level trim, with pricing starting at roughly $58,500. The Land Cruiser top model will probably start around $63,500. If there’s a baby Cruiser, look for pricing to start around $45,000.
