Though it’s filling a slot that didn’t necessarily need to be filled, the 2026 Land Cruiser is a loveable, easy-driving off-roader.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fun nostalgic styling Toyota’s signature off-road goodies Remarkably easy to drive both on and off road Monumental torque from hybrid drivetrain | Expensive Tested fuel economy was way short of EPA estimates Sometimes laggy transition from electric to engine Back seat room isn’t great for adults Driver attentativeness detector is infuriating |
Folks are not shy about their opinions of the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser. This is especially true when it comes to the drivetrain, given that it is solely available with the i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder. In my recent first impressions post, I outlined that the hybrid powerplant has a lot more grunt than I was led to believe. With 326 horsepower and a whopping 465 pound-feet of torque, the Land Cruiser is more than happy to get out of its own way. Moreover, it’s got plenty of get-up for day-to-day driving situations like passing on the interstate and accelerating from a stop. However, many folks recommend that buyers skip the Land Cruiser and instead opt for a 4Runner on the lower end of the pricing spectrum and a Sequoia on the upper end. I think that’s bad advice to a certain degree, but we’ll get into that later.
Toyota was kind enough to lend us this 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser for the week for our review. After a week of driving it around the greater Los Angeles area and getting off the beaten path a bit, I’d say my overall experience with the car is positive. On multiple occasions, I had folks tell me how awesome the Cruiser is in parking lots. So, if nothing else, Toyota gets a big win in the styling and coolness factor. Let’s dive a bit deeper, though.
Daily Driving the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser
As you’d expect, driving around the Los Angeles area gives plenty of time to experience the full range of day-to-day commutes. Stop-and-go traffic on the freeway, potholes, somehow managing to hit every single red light, and being shocked when you somehow manage to find a section of freeway where you can go the speed limit. Suffice it to say, we got to experience the full on-road driving experience in our short time with the car.
Like all 2026 Toyota models, the Land Cruiser features the Safety Sense suite. Standard features like Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control make it a damn-near literal no-brainer to drive. Despite its size, it’s as easy to drive as a Camry. It has a remarkably tight turning radius, so U-turns and navigating parking lots are wildly easy. Steering assist and radar cruise control make for a relaxing highway adventure, even in heavy traffic. Overall, if you’re considering a Land Cruiser as a daily commuter with the family, it’s a great contender from a drivability standpoint.
Not so Fuel Efficient, Unfortunately
The EPA rating for the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser is 22 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. Given its 5,400-pound curb weight, those are some pretty remarkable numbers. Unfortunately, though, we didn’t get anywhere near them. Using the trip computer as a reference and having reset it multiple times throughout our driving, we didn’t see it break out of the 17 MPG range the entire time. Given the stop-and-go lifestyle of living in a densely populated area, undershooting EPA numbers is to be expected. However, hoping to break 20 and getting 17 is no bueno.
Your mileage may vary. No pun intended. Ultimately, as with any car, it breaks down to your driving style and commute. Of course, when testing to see whether it feels underpowered, we ran a little heavy on the right foot. In addition, long periods of sitting still with the engine running really drag down the average MPG.
Comfortable and Tech-Laden Interior
Inside the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser, you’ll find the only differences between it and the 2025 model. An upgraded (and optional) 12.3-inch display and digital gauge cluster expand infotainment functionality compared to the previous model years. In addition, it adds wireless charging and more USB charging ports. Overall, the interior is comfortable and well laid out. It has heated and ventilated front seats, a great sound system (courtesy of our tester featuring the Premium Package), and the expansive technology between the center display and gauge cluster is mostly intuitive. There are, however, a couple of interesting exceptions.
This is a bit nitpicky, but the heated steering wheel button is on the passenger side of the center console within the climate controls. Yes, the driver can reach it, but it seems a little out of place there. In addition, there are two cup holders and a USB-C port on either side behind the second-row seats. It’s as if there was to be a third row there, but there isn’t, and it’s not even an option. So, those, too, are a little out of place.
The most out-of-place thing I struggled with, though, was the odometer. Throughout my testing, it showed the trip A mileage instead of the odometer. Even after I reset the trip, it still showed the initial trip mileage climbing and displayed the true odometer reading only on startup. I dug through menus and the owner’s manual for way more time than I’d like to admit to no avail. I suspect this is a software issue and may only apply to this particular vehicle. Still, I thought it was worth bringing up.
More Interior Info
One outstanding interior feature is the optional “Cool Box” in the center console. It’s effectively a small refrigerator. Using the car’s air conditioning, it cools a small insulated opening in the center console beneath the lid. So, keeping beverages cold for a long road trip or camping adventure is no problem. If you’re into videos, it makes a great GoPro cooler to keep them from overheating, too. Don’t use it for meat or fish, though; there’s specifically a warning not to do so.
Overall, whether you’re on or off road, the Land Cruiser’s interior is plenty comfy and usable. It’s loaded with USB-C ports for fast charging, has an abundance of cup holders, and even a 2400-watt 120-volt outlet in the rear. That’s some substantial wattage. You could run a light-duty welder, air conditioner, or, if the Console Cool Box isn’t enough, an entire refrigerator off of this thing! In all seriousness, though, it’s extremely useful for things like charging phones, inflating air mattresses, or even running cooking equipment in the great outdoors.
Off-Roading in the 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser
Obviously, this thing has awfully large off-road shoes to fill. Even beyond the legendary Land Cruiser name, Toyota’s off-road prowess requires no stone to be left unturned if it’s going to be an off-road-ready vehicle. As one would expect, the Land Cruiser knocks it out of the park.
With its full-time 4WD system (switchable to 4 Low when needed), the Cruiser is sure-footed as could be. The electric drivetrain components offer on-demand torque and excellent low-end controlability on slippery surfaces. Regardless of conditions, it didn’t skip a beat through loose dirt, gravel, rocks, or sand. Toyota’s off-road additions like CRAWL mode and Downhill Assist Control (effectively, a downhill cruise-control-type speed limiter) and Multi-Terrain Select make it easy to keep the Land Cruiser gripped up and moving no matter what you’re up against. Adding in features like electronically-disconnecting front sway bar end links and both center and rear locking differentials makes this thing an absolute off-road champ.
The one downside to its off-road capability is the stock ground clearance. At around 8.5 inches, it’s got more than enough clearance for most light-duty off-road trails and dirt roads to off-the-grid destinations. However, if you’re going to be putting it in treacherous situations frequently, the optional front-end and differential skid plates are a good idea.
It’s Expensive When Optioned Out
The cheapest way into a 2026 Land Cruiser is the “1958” model, priced at $58,650. However, this particular example is based on the standard “square headlight” model that has a starting MSRP of $63,495. Interestingly, that’s $405 cheaper than its 2025 starting price, according to MotorTrend. Our tester had the Premium Package and a host of options like the Console Cool Box, Skid Plates, and a handful of others that brought its sticker price up to a whopping $71,200.
Here are the three most expensive options hiking up that sticker price:
- Premium Package – $4,355.00
- Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism – $1,230.00
- Front+Trans Steel Skid Plates – $805.00
For over $71,000, there are a lot of options on the market. That puts you in the range of the two lower-trim Sequoia models, which nets you the more powerful twin-turbocharged V6 i-FORCE MAX hybrid powerplants. Those offerings come with a substantial jump to 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. On the opposite end of that spectrum, that gets you a top-of-the-line 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD-Pro with some options, which shares the same 2.4-liter i-FORCE MAX hybrid four-cylinder powertrain.
To Cruise or Not to Cruise? Is the 4Runner or Sequoia a Smarter Buy?
From a practicality standpoint, the third-row seating in the Sequoia and the 4Runner’s lower price point make it seem like an obvious choice over the Land Cruiser. However, in a seemingly endless shower of reasons to pick one of those two over the Land Cruiser, one only needs a single reason to opt for the Land Cruiser anyway. You want a Land Cruiser. This is a Land Cruiser. If you aren’t bothered by the practical advantages and, like me, just love the Cruiser for its styling and nostalgia, then go right ahead.
Folks like to say that the Land Cruiser is filling a gap that really didn’t need filling. However, if manufacturers only built cars strictly around needs, we’d wind up with a world of milk toast nonsense. A little variety is a good thing, and the Land Cruiser’s nostalgic styling just puts a smile on people’s faces. If you don’t need extra seating, you’ve got the money to spend, and it’s something you want, don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
Photos: Shane Harris and Braden Carlson
TL;DR
The 2026 Land Cruiser might seem unnecessary on paper, but it’s a seriously likable, easy-to-live-with SUV that blends punchy hybrid power, excellent road manners, and legit off-road chops. It’s comfortable, packed with useful tech (and even a built-in cooler box), and turns heads everywhere. Real-world fuel economy disappointed, and the price climbs fast with options. Sure, a 4Runner or Sequoia might make more “sense,” but if you want a Land Cruiser for the heritage, styling, all-around capability, or just because, it absolutely delivers.
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