The love-it-or-hate-it hybrid four-cylinder powerplant is certainly divisive, but how is it to drive?
We’re now into the third model year of the triumphant return of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, and yes, folks are still mad that it has a four-cylinder. As a lover of V8s, I get it. However, no amount of moaning and complaining is going to change Toyota’s powerplant of choice. That said, if you’re hesitant to act on your interest because of that fact, you might want to actually go drive one. Toyota was kind enough to loan us this 2026 Land Cruiser for the week, and I’ve been having a ball.
So far, I’ve only done some basic suburban driving. That is, after all, where most Land Cruisers are destined to spend at least the first handful of years of their lives. As much as this is an off-road-oriented Toyota product, there will undoubtedly be no shortage of buyers who will challenge its grip only by accidentally smoking curbs in grocery store parking lots. So, stay tuned for a full review in the coming weeks, where I’ll venture off the beaten path. For now, though, I want to talk about my first impressions behind the wheel.
What Engine Does the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Have?
The 2026 Land Cruiser uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor hybrid assist. Its government name is the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, and it’s good for an impressive 326 horsepower combined. More importantly, it combines for a whopping 465 pound-feet of torque. To keep things in perspective, that’s 64 pound-feet more than the previous generation’s 5.7-liter V8. Don’t get it twisted, either. This isn’t an electric-powered-axle scenario. Like the Tacoma and 4Runner that share the powerplant, this still sends all the power through a true-to-form 4WD system. We’ll get more into the off-road goodies and capabilities in the future full review.
I’ll admit, this is my first time driving the new Land Cruiser. I was a little worried about the driving feel, given the assertion across social media posts and reviews that it just wasn’t enough power for the heavy chassis. Edmunds reports that it has a healthy curb weight of 5,445 pounds, and I’m not a person living in the past that denies what modern engine technology has made a four-pot capable of, but it did seem like a tall order. Allow me to put you at ease. The 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser is NOT underpowered. It happily accelerates on a whim and can easily get out of its own way. I think the word of spicy SUVs and things like the Ford Raptor lineup have just set the bar a little high for what we should be expecting, here.
Fuel Efficient Enough for What It Is, and Easily Daily Drivable
The official EPA rating for fuel economy here is 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. In my first 100 miles or so, I’ve averaged about 17 mpg. Admittedly, feeling out the acceleration and driving it in greater LA area traffic has done a number on that, uh, number.
Behind the wheel, the Cruiser feels a bit wobbly when it comes to body roll, as you’d expect for an off-road-oriented vehicle. However, the ride quality is pretty dang nice overall. The suspension is relatively soft, and it’s more than cozy for your day-to-day commute. In addition, it has an incredibly tight turning radius and, while it’s relatively large, it isn’t overbearing. Of course, Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, which includes radar cruise control, lane keep assist, cross-traffic warnings, etc., makes it a no-brainer even in the most traffic-dense areas. It’s easy to drive, easy to park, and, again, more than punchy enough to make passes on the interstate and pull the doors off the teenager looking at their phone next to you from a stoplight.
It Ain’t Perfect
But then, nothing is. I have found a couple of mild annoyances so far in driving this beast, and I’ll lay them out for you to decide if I’m being a weenie or not.
First and foremost, the driver attention warning. If you’re looking in side or rear-view mirrors for just a little too long, it sounds an alarm to tell you you’re not looking forward enough. I understand why it’s there, and given the number of folks I see driving with their head straight down while going easily lethal speeds, I think it’s a good thing, on the whole. It still irritates me a bit.
The other little annoyances I have found are a bit more nitpicky. For one, this model has the premium package and thus has a heated steering wheel (among other amenities). The button to activate the heated steering wheel is on the passenger side of the radio next to the passenger-side controls for the passenger-side heated/cooled seat. That’s the side where the passenger sits. Doesn’t that seem a little odd? Lastly, the wireless Android Auto has, to this point, completely refused to work. Admittedly, I haven’t put much effort into it, but I think I shouldn’t have to. Am I a spoiled millennial for this? Probably.
That’s really all I’ve got for you so far. Thanks for checking in! Hope to see you around for more Land Cruiser and car stuff. Peace.
Photos: Braden Carlson