Today, I have one of the MOST anticipated cars of the year to walk through! After being discontinued in 2021, the Toyota Land Cruiser is back—and it’s smaller, more affordable, and definitely giving off-roading vibes. But here’s the real question: is it family-friendly?

If you’re new here—welcome! I’m Kelly the Car Mom, and as a mom of four, CPST, and car enthusiast, I’m here to help you figure out if the Toyota Land Cruiser could be the right fit for your family.

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2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Highlights

No third row—it’s now strictly a five-passenger SUV.
Rugged, boxy design that feels like a throwback to the FJ Cruiser.
Big trunk space but tight second-row seating.
Tech upgrades include a heads-up display, wireless charging, and a rearview camera.
Ceiling vents in the second row for better airflow (finally!).

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Exterior

Let me just say—Toyota nailed the look of this thing and definitely brought some fun back into their lineup. The 2024 Land Cruiser is boxy, bold, and has some serious personality. It’s giving Ford Bronco and Hyundai Santa Fe vibes with its rugged design and fun two-tone color options. Honestly, it feels more like an FJ Cruiser revival than a traditional Land Cruiser, but I’m here for it.

The Land Cruiser is built on the same frame as the Lexus GX (which does have a third row), but Toyota decided to ditch that extra seating for more trunk space. While it’s smaller than its predecessors, it still has that big SUV presence on the road. Plus, the height is great—it makes you feel like you’re sitting up high with excellent visibility.

Price

Now let’s talk price: The 2024 Land Cruiser starts at $55,000 for the base model and climbs depending on trims and features. It’s definitely more affordable than older versions of this SUV, but it's still on the pricier side for something that only seats five people.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser First Row

The first row is comfortable and spacious enough for taller drivers like me (I’m six feet tall). There’s plenty of head clearance, which is always a win in my book. That said, despite its rugged exterior size, the interior feels a little narrow—cozy is probably the best word for it. If you’re used to wider SUVs, you might notice this right away.

One feature that left me confused was the “cool box” in the center console. It’s supposed to keep snacks or drinks cold, but honestly? It takes up way too much storage space for what it offers. It feels like something they threw in because it was already designed for the Lexus GX—not because anyone actually needed it here.

Infotainment System

Toyota has stepped up its tech game with this model. The heads-up display and digital dashboard are sleek and easy to use, and I love how simple the flat infotainment screen is to navigate.

Toyota also stuck with their signature oversized buttons for things like climate control and heated seats—which I appreciate because who wants to dig through menus on a touchscreen when it’s freezing outside?

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Second Row

Here’s where things get tricky—the second row just isn’t as roomy as I’d hoped for a car this size. For starters, three-across seating isn’t happening unless you’ve got super narrow car seats (and even then, good luck). The whole row feels tight, especially if you’ve got rear-facing car seats installed or taller passengers up front who need their seat pushed back.

One of my biggest gripes is that these seats aren’t on tracks—they don’t slide forward or backward to adjust legroom or cargo space. This would’ve been such an easy win for Toyota because it would’ve made things so much more flexible for families who need to juggle passengers and gear, especially with how massive the trunk is.

On the plus side, there are some decent amenities back here. Ceiling vents are a huge improvement for airflow (especially if you’ve got rear-facing car seats blocking side vents), and there are two USB-C ports for charging devices. But there are no built-in sunshades—something I always look for in family vehicles—and overall, it just feels cramped back here when compared to other SUVs in this class.

The seats themselves are wide and flat enough to fit most car seats comfortably, but rigid buckles in the middle seat make installation tricky if you’re trying to maximize space.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser LATCH Diagram:

Trunk Space

Now let’s talk about where this SUV shines—the trunk! With no third row taking up space, you get a massive cargo area that can handle pretty much anything: strollers, groceries, sports gear—you name it. One feature I really love is the grab window on the trunk door—it lets you quickly reach in without opening the whole liftgate (perfect when your hands are full).

That said, there are some quirks worth mentioning. The raised trunk floor has this weird removable piece that doesn’t seem all that useful—it feels like an afterthought rather than something intentional. And because this car shares its frame with the Lexus GX (which does have a third row), there are random cup holders and ceiling vents back here meant for passengers who don’t exist in this version of the SUV. It’s kind of funny but also makes me wonder why Toyota didn’t just commit fully to making this either a five-passenger or seven-passenger car across both models.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Wrap-Up

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is undeniably cool-looking and rugged—a great option if you’re someone who prioritizes style and trunk space over passenger capacity. But as far as family-friendliness goes? It falls short compared to other SUVs out there due to its cramped second row and lack of flexibility with seating arrangements.

If you’re an adventurer who doesn’t need tons of room for passengers—or if you just love that retro-inspired design—this could be an awesome choice for you! But if you’ve got kids (or plan on hauling them around regularly), I’d recommend looking at alternatives like the Lexus GX or even something like the Toyota Highlander.

What do you think about the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser? Would it work for your family? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:

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