Next-Gen Toyota Land Cruiser Teased – New GX’s Downmarket Twin?

The legendary Toyota Land Cruiser is back for a next-gen redux, as Toyota USA publishes official teaser photos of the rugged SUV model.

Two of the teaser images published showcase the new Land Cruiser model’s silhouette, alongside its classic predecessor, the Toyota FJ40 from the 60s. From said photos, you can clearly see that the new Land Cruiser boasts the same box-tastic bodystyle as its upmarket twin, the recently-launched Lexus GX.

Next-Gen Toyota Land Cruiser (left) & the newly-launched Lexus GX (right)

Taking a closer look and comparing both models side to side, you can see several bits of differences between the two, notably the front and rear bumper design. The latter features a more protruding design on the Land Cruiser that matches well with its larger, retro-style taillights design. Judging from the similar sizing, the new Land Cruiser may also feature a three-row seating configuration, just like the GX.

2024 Lexus GX

This similarity means that the new Land Cruiser will underpin the same hardware as the GX SUV. Throughout both nameplates’ history, the GX has always been the more luxurious twin of the Land Cruiser, as several previous models of the two have been sharing mechanical bits for aeons.

For reference, the new Lexus GX underpins the TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, which has also been used on several other big-sized SUVs from Toyota. Measuring 5,005 MM long, the GX is slightly longer compared to the current-gen Land Cruiser J300 (4,985 MM).

Gone is the old V8, as the new GX harnesses a V6 twin-turbocharged engine instead

Under the hood, the new GX harnesses a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 mill that delivers 349 HP instead of the old V8. Apart from that, there's also a hybrid version derived from the Toyota Sequoia that uses the same V6 engine with a higher total system output of 437 HP. All those powers are transmitted to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time AWD system.

The next-gen Toyota Land Cruiser is poised to make its global debut some time in the future, as Toyota USA didn’t say anything about its official launch date, other than mentioning the “65 years of heritage”. With the original Land Cruiser FJ launched back in 1960, could this mean the new model will be launched 65 years later, which is in 2025? 

At the end of the way, we can expect more teasers to follow up on this one as we are approaching its debut date. And hopefully, we will also know whether this full-size SUV will also be available in other markets, apart from the US and Japan.