2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958

Now starting at under $60,000, the Toyota Land Cruiser offers a slimmer body structure than before, a turbocharged powertrain with a mild-hybrid setup, and an array of modern features. Considering everything the Land Cruiser has to offer, it’s a far better value than previous iterations.

A Curiously Cloth Interior

For 2025, there are two different Toyota Land Cruiser trim levels to choose from: 1958 and Land Cruiser. My tester was the former, which is considered the base model between the two. While it is well-equipped in terms of tech and safety features, I found that it was bit lacking in quality for its $60,000 price tag.

I say this because its fabric-trimmed seats didn’t have the quality that I would have expected from a Land Cruiser, since the previous generation’s base model felt more upscale. In order to get the SofTex leather seats, you need to upgrade to the higher trim level for around $4,500 more.

Additionally, although the cloth seats are heated, they are not power-adjustable, which further cheapens the feel of it. That said, the rest of the interior feels spacious as there is a lot of head and leg-room in both rows, so tall passengers should be well-accommodated.

There is also a lot of cargo volume as well, but another curious part is there are vents and cupholders in the cargo area as if there is room for a third row. However, there is not official option for a third row and the Land Cruiser is only a five-seater, unlike the last generation.

Getting in and out of the Land Cruiser is easy, but the vehicle is tall, so using the grab handles on the doorways is necessary.

Technology

The base Toyota Land Cruiser is equipped with all the entertainment equipment most drivers need. This includes like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. There is even an AC inverter for household plugs. 

Honestly, the Land Cruiser 1958’s interior tech is pretty sparse and it’s clear that it’s more utilitarian the luxurious. For example, the center console is filled with switches and buttons to control the Land Cruiser’s crawl control, drivetrain configuration, and drive modes, as opposed to having more infotainment features like other vehicles in its class.

However, upgrading to the higher trim level brings more tech features, including a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen with 10 speakers, ventilated seats, and the option for a Premium package that includes more features like an upgraded JBL sound system, a console cool box, a power moonroof, a digital mirror, and a wireless charging dock. It’s an extra $4,600, but it sounds well worth the money to get the most out of the big SUV.

An Updated Turbocharged Powertrain

The outgoing Toyota Land Cruiser used a naturally aspirated V8 engine, which was fitting for such a large SUV. But for this generation, Toyota stuck a turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s assisted by a couple of electric motors to make 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same one that’s found in the current Tacoma as well.

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends the power through all four wheels via a four-wheel-drive system. That system also comes with a locking center differential, low-range gearing, a crawl-control system, and hill-descent control. 

When driving around town and speeding up to get onto the freeway, the Land Cruiser’s powertrain operates smoothly as it goes through all the gears. The hybrid assist gives the SUV plenty of gusto when accelerating off the line, but the battery runs out of juice quickly, so the power delivery can be inconsistent.

Regardless, the Land Cruiser feels comfortable on every type of terrain and its smaller, slimmer size makes it easy to park and maneuver at slow speeds. It’s also fairly fuel-efficient as I obtained an average of 21.7 mpg in my mixed city and highway driving, which is a little less than the EPA estimate of 23 mpg combined.

A Bold and Boxy Exterior

There are some differences between the Land Cruiser 1958 model and the regular one. The 1958 model has heritage-inspired circular LED headlights, while the Land Cruiser has rectangular-shaped ones. The 1958 model also has a black “Toyota” heritage grille, dark gray 18-inch wheels, and front LED fog lights, which sets it apart from the higher trim.

Regardless of which trim level you choose, the Land Cruiser has a boxy shape that looks muscular, but not too overdone. It’s a departure from the previous generations, but it’s a fitting evolution for the nameplate nonetheless. My tester was also fitted with rock rails, a front skid plate, and a roof rack, further strengthen its utility and off-road appeal.

Safety Features 

The Land Cruiser is equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driver assist features, which works in conjunction with its nine airbags around the cabin. The Safety Sense suite includes features like pre-collision system with pedestrian protection, radar cruise control, lane-departure alert, and auto high beams. Other features include a blind-spot monitoring system with a rear-cross traffic alert and front and rear parking sensors. 

A rearview camera is also included on the 1958 model, but it could really use the surround-view one found on the higher trim level.

Summary

Ultimately, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser’s return to the market makes a strong statement in a class filled with other brawny SUVs like the Ford Bronco, Kia Telluride, and Mazda CX-90. It may not be as luxurious or as burly as the previous generation, but this new generation makes an appealing value proposition for anyone wanting to get into one of the most popular off-road nameplates in the automotive market.

Keep in mind that the outgoing model, last produced in 2021, had a starting price in the high $80,000 range. This new one starts at around $56,000 and my tester rang in at $60,000 with all the accessories and the destination charge. That’s a steal for any enthusiasts wanting a lot of off-road capability without the near-$100,000 price. Provided they don’t mind cloth seats. If they do, I highly recommend upgrading to the higher trim level.