7 March 20th-March 26th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2024 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 1958: WE’RE BACK BABY! 2024 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 1958 Toyota has resurrected Toyota has resurrected the Land Cruiser for 2024, the Land Cruiser for 2024, and the base 1958 trim and the base 1958 trim brings old-school charm with brings old-school charm with modern capability—all for modern capability—all for a starting price of $60,790. a starting price of $60,790. Powered by a 2.4-liter Powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid setup, it turbocharged hybrid setup, it delivers 326 horsepower and delivers 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, making 465 lb-ft of torque, making it more efficient (22/25 it more efficient (22/25 mpg) than its gas-guzzling mpg) than its gas-guzzling ancestors while still being off- ancestors while still being off- road ready. The boxy design road ready. The boxy design is a nostalgic nod to its is a nostalgic nod to its legendary past, and inside, legendary past, and inside, the no-nonsense interior the no-nonsense interior keeps things simple with an keeps things simple with an 8-inch touchscreen, cloth 8-inch touchscreen, cloth seats, and old-school toggle seats, and old-school toggle switches. It’s not luxury, but it switches. It’s not luxury, but it is undeniably cool. is undeniably cool. On the road, the Land On the road, the Land Cruiser 1958 feels solid, Cruiser 1958 feels solid, though a bit slow off the line though a bit slow off the line compared to some turbo V6 compared to some turbo V6 competitors. But once you competitors. But once you take it off the pavement, it’s in take it off the pavement, it’s in its element—full-time 4WD, its element—full-time 4WD, a locking center differential, a locking center differential, and Toyota’s Crawl Control and Toyota’s Crawl Control make sure of that. It’s smaller make sure of that. It’s smaller than the outgoing model, than the outgoing model, which makes it easier to which makes it easier to maneuver, but don’t expect maneuver, but don’t expect a cushy ride—it’s tuned a cushy ride—it’s tuned for durability, not comfort. for durability, not comfort. For those who want classic For those who want classic Land Cruiser DNA without Land Cruiser DNA without breaking six figures, this breaking six figures, this retro-inspired reboot hits retro-inspired reboot hits the sweet spot between the sweet spot between ruggedness and (relative) ruggedness and (relative) affordability. affordability. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
