New Toyota Land Cruiser takes us back to the '50s

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- For 2024, Toyota has brought the big-shouldered Land Cruiser sport-utility vehicle back to the U.S. market.  It's still a big brute, but with many notable improvements.

Mine was the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 -- a shout out to its introduction into the U.S. market in 1958 -- and it looked decidedly rugged with a classic grille and big-boy sculpting. Toyota is all but begging buyers to take it off-road.

And yet, its highway manners were decidedly pleasant. Smooth riding and a just-right touch through the steering column.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that produces 326 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque -- enough to dust off freeway pokes or power up a steep rock-and-mud hillside.

The hybrid system allows for better fuel mileage than you might expect -- 22 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

A strong air-conditioning system slapped aside a Northern California string of 105-degree-plus days with impressive speed.

To be honest, I had a blast driving the vehicle. Call it a guilty pleasure as some folks consider it a sin to be wheeling such a big beast in this era of careful fuel management and electric vehicle technology.

I suppose some of it was nostalgia.  After all, this is Toyota's longest-running nameplate, a North American oldie but goodie with the 1958 name to boot.

Toyota notes that it wanted a "more accessible" starting price in the mid $50,000 range.  With some extras, my tester showed $60,969 on the bottom line.

I suppose the Land Cruiser ultimately will become a happy memory for many drivers in the years ahead. So if you want to store up those good vibes now, this new edition of the Land Cruiser is waiting for you.