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Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX First Edition in a bronze and black finish on display in Japan

Toyota Land Cruiser 250: 2024–Present Guide

Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX First Edition in a bronze and black finish on display in Japan

The Land Cruiser 250 is the Toyota Land Cruiser you can buy new in the US, sold from the 2024 model year. Elsewhere it's the Land Cruiser Prado or Land Cruiser 250, and in North America every one gets a 326-hp turbo hybrid. Here's what changed year to year, which trim to pick, the recalls to check and how it rates for safety.

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Land Cruiser 250 at a Glance

US model years 2024–present Prado or 250 in other markets

Platform GA-F Body-on-frame, shared with the 300 and Lexus GX

US engine 2.4L turbo hybrid 326 hp / 465 lb-ft

Towing 6,000 lb US rating; 3,500 kg in Australia and Europe

Fuel economy 23 mpg combined EPA, premium fuel

US trims 1958, Land Cruiser Plus a 2024-only First Edition

What Makes the Land Cruiser 250 Different

For 2024, Toyota brought the Land Cruiser name back to the US, but not as the big V8 wagon it used to sell. Instead, you get the Prado, the smaller Land Cruiser line, built on the same GA-F body-on-frame platform as the 300 Series and the Lexus GX. Toyota says the frame is 50% stiffer than the old Prado's, and it's the first light-duty Land Cruiser with electric power steering.

In the US and Canada, there's one powertrain: the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, a 2.4-liter turbo four with an electric motor in the 8-speed automatic. It makes 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, so it pulls hard from low revs. However, it isn't quick, because Edmunds measured 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds.

The off-road hardware is serious on every trim. You get full-time 4WD with a locking center differential, a two-speed transfer case, a locking rear differential and CRAWL Control. In addition, the Land Cruiser grade adds a front sway bar that disconnects for more wheel travel.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 in Brown Sugar Metallic with round headlights, photographed in Ontario, Canada
  • 326 hpHybrid output
  • 465 lb-ftTorque
  • 6,000 lbTowing
  • 23 mpgEPA combined

What we like

  • Locking diffs and low range on every US trim
  • Lots of torque from the hybrid
  • Retro looks, especially the round-light 1958

What to watch

  • Slow by modern SUV standards
  • High cargo floor and tight rear legroom
  • Needs premium fuel

Land Cruiser 250 Engines and Power

US and Canadian buyers only get the hybrid. Elsewhere, the 250 comes with a range of gas and diesel engines, so an imported or overseas Prado may drive quite differently.

EngineYearsFound inOutput
2.4L turbo-4 hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)2024–presentUS, Canada, China326 hp / 465 lb-ft
2.8L turbo-diesel (1GD-FTV)2024–presentJapan, Europe, Middle East201 hp (150 kW) / 369 lb-ft (500 Nm)
2.8L turbo-diesel, 48V mild hybrid2024–presentAustralia; Europe from 2025201 hp (150 kW) / 369 lb-ft (500 Nm)
2.4L turbo-4 gas (T24A-FTS)2024–presentMiddle East, Eastern Europe274–277 hp / 317 lb-ft (430 Nm)
2.7L four (2TR-FE)2024–presentJapan, Middle East, others161 hp (163 PS) / 181 lb-ft (246 Nm)
The hybrid and the 2.4 gas engine use an 8-speed automatic, as do the diesels; the 2.7 uses a 6-speed automatic.

A new name in the US, small yearly tweaks

Land Cruiser 250 Changes by Model Year

So far, the 250 has changed very little in the US. Most updates are trims, colors and comfort features, so a 2024 and a 2027 are mechanically the same.

  1. 2023 Toyota reveals the 250 Series in August as the new Land Cruiser and Prado.
  2. 2024 US launch with three grades: the 1958 ($55,950), the Land Cruiser ($61,950) and the First Edition ($74,950, 5,000 units). The 1958 gets round LED headlights, cloth seats and an 8-inch screen, while the Land Cruiser grade gets a 12.3-inch screen.
  3. 2025 The First Edition is dropped, so you choose between the 1958 and the Land Cruiser. Changes are minor, including a monotone Heritage Blue paint.
  4. 2026 No major changes, with prices up slightly.
  5. 2027 An available high-mounted air intake, heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats and a new color, Inked. Both the 1958 and the Land Cruiser grade continue.

Our verdict: since the hardware hasn't changed, a lightly used 2024 or 2025 is the smart buy. Go for a 2027 only if you want the ventilated rear seats or the factory raised air intake.

Land Cruiser 250 Special Models

The 250 has fewer special versions in the US than the old wagons did, but the trim you pick changes the look and the off-road kit.

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 in Brown Sugar Metallic with round headlights, photographed in Ontario, Canada

2024–present

Land Cruiser 1958

Round LED lights Cloth seats Lowest price

The entry grade, named for the year the Land Cruiser reached the US. It has the same hybrid and locking diffs, and IIHS rates its headlights better than the upper grade's.

White Toyota Land Cruiser 250 VX with rectangular LED headlights, parked in Japan

2024–present

Land Cruiser grade

Disconnecting sway bar Terrain cameras 12.3-inch screen

The main US grade adds the disconnecting front sway bar, the Multi-Terrain Monitor cameras and a bigger screen. A Premium Package was available on top.

Toyota Land Cruiser 250 ZX First Edition in a bronze and black finish on display in Japan

2024 only

First Edition

5,000 units Round lights Rock rails

A limited launch edition with round headlights, a roof rack, rock rails and skid plates. Japan got its own First Edition in ZX and VX form.

Land Cruiser 250 Recalls

The big one is the October 2026 fuel tube recall, which covers about 106,000 US Land Cruisers from 2024 to 2027. A fuel line connection near the tank can come apart and leak, which is a fire risk, so make sure it's been fixed. In addition, Toyota's October 2025 rearview camera recall listed the Land Cruiser.

Model yearsCampaignWhat's affected
2024–2027Toyota, Oct 2026 (NHTSA no. pending)Fuel tube connection near the tank can separate and leak. Dealers inspect it, add a clamp and replace the tube if needed.
2024–2025NHTSA 26V-341Parts of the 12.3-inch instrument display can stay blank at startup and hide warnings. Fixed with a software update.
2024–2025NHTSA 26V-179Incorrect load-capacity label on some vehicles. Dealers replace the label.
2024NHTSA 24V-548Dealer-installed accessory labels from Gulf States Toyota show the wrong accessory weight. New labels were mailed.
Notable campaigns only, not a full list. Recall repairs are free at a Toyota dealer. Check your own VIN with NHTSA (US) or Transport Canada (Canada).

Land Cruiser 250 Safety Ratings by Region

The 250 has been crash-tested in the US and Australia. Its results are decent rather than class-leading, mostly because of how it protects rear passengers in a frontal crash.

RegionProgramRatingWhat it means
United StatesNHTSA★★★★ overall (2025)Four stars for frontal crashes, five for side and three for rollover. NHTSA hadn't posted 2024, 2026 or 2027 ratings when we checked.
United StatesIIHSNo award (2025–2026)Good in the small overlap and updated side tests, but Marginal in the updated moderate overlap test because of rear-passenger protection. Headlights are Good on the 1958 and Marginal on the Land Cruiser grade.
CanadaNHTSA and IIHSAs aboveCanada doesn't run its own crash-star program, so Canadian buyers use the US results.
Australia, New ZealandANCAP★★★★★ (2024, Prado)Adult occupant 85%, child occupant 89%, vulnerable road users 84%, safety assist 82%. ANCAP advises against child seats in the third row, which has no top tethers.
EuropeEuro NCAPNot ratedWe found no Euro NCAP result for the 250.
Ratings apply only to the body style and model years tested, and older scores are not comparable with today's tests.

Buying a Used Land Cruiser 250

The 250 is still new, so there's no long track record yet. Consumer Reports predicts about average reliability for 2026, and owner complaints so far are more about refinement than breakdowns.

  • Fuel tube recall. Run the VIN and make sure the October 2026 fuel tube fix and the display software update are done.
  • Brake squeal. Squealing front brakes, especially in reverse, are common. Toyota has a service bulletin with new pads and shims, so ask if it's been done.
  • Space. The cargo floor sits high over the hybrid battery and rear legroom is tight, so bring your gear and your family to the test drive.
  • Trim choice. Get the Land Cruiser grade if you want the disconnecting sway bar and terrain cameras for serious trails; the 1958 is cheaper and has the better-rated headlights.
White Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series seen from the rear three-quarter in China

Our picks

  • Best overall: Land Cruiser grade
  • Best value: 1958
  • Best collectible: 2024 First Edition

Think twice

  • Any truck with an open fuel tube recall
  • Heavily modified trucks with no receipts
  • Paying big markups over sticker

Other Land Cruiser Generations

The 250 sells alongside the bigger 300 Series, which isn't offered in the US. Jump to the 300, or see every Land Cruiser generation.

Land Cruiser 250 FAQ

Is the new Land Cruiser a hybrid?

Yes, in the US and Canada. Every 250 there uses the i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbo hybrid with 326 hp, 465 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic.

How much can the Land Cruiser 250 tow?

6,000 pounds in the US. Diesel Prados in Australia and Europe are rated for 3,500 kg braked.

Is the Land Cruiser 250 the same as the Prado and Lexus GX?

It's the same vehicle other markets call the Land Cruiser Prado or Land Cruiser 250. The Lexus GX 550 shares the GA-F platform but uses a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6.

Was the Land Cruiser 1958 discontinued?

No. The 1958 is still sold for 2027 alongside the Land Cruiser grade. Only the First Edition was dropped, after 2024.

Is the Land Cruiser 250 safe?

NHTSA gave the 2025 model four stars overall, and ANCAP gave the Prado five stars in 2024. IIHS rated it Good in most tests but Marginal in the updated moderate overlap test, so it didn't earn an award.

Does the Land Cruiser 250 have locking differentials?

Yes. Every US trim has a locking center differential, a locking rear differential, low range and CRAWL Control. The disconnecting front sway bar is only on the Land Cruiser grade.

Sources

Keep Exploring

See every Land Cruiser generation side by side, or head back to the full Toyota lineup.

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Photo credits
  1. Header image: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.
  2. 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 in Brown…: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
  3. White Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series…: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
  4. White Toyota Land Cruiser 250 VX with…: TTTNIS, CC0, cropped and resized.