Hybrid LAND CRUISER 2.4L i-Force Max reviews are here; previews Hybrid 4runner performance

[Administrator]

First drive reviews of the 2.4L hybrid Land Cruiser are here. This is the same i-Force Max hybrid system and engine used in the 2025 4Runner Hybrid models, so these reviews give us a preview of how the hybrid powertrain performs on the 6th gen 4Runner hybrids.

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VIDEOS

 

[4rhou]

Doug DeMuro seems to like the new 4runner much better than the LC250. He had good things to say about the 4runner in his LC250 review.

 

[Boobajoob]

Has anyone found a review that speaks to turbo lag?

 

[Jack]

Has anyone found a review that speaks to turbo lag?

Here's positive comment about turbo lag / torque fill from the Motortrend review:

Yes, it’s a hybrid now, but save the Prius jokes because, like other Toyota trucks, it feels tuned for power, not economy. Unlike most of Toyota’s car-based hybrids, which blend two electric motors with the engine via a planetary continuously variable automatic transmission—you know, the combination that makes mooing sounds—the Land Cruiser gets the truckier version with a single large electric motor integrated into the transmission, which dumps torque into the drivetrain every time you touch the throttle. The torque fill helps the drivetrain feel far more responsive at all times, but especially at low engine speeds when the turbo hasn’t spooled.

Weighing 800 pounds less than the 200 Series and blessed with that on-demand torque, the new Land Cruiser feels considerably quicker. We think the 0–60-mph time will drop by nearly a second, making it the quickest Cruiser ever, despite half the cylinder count of the old V-8. Even so, the EPA says the new Land Cruiser will do 22/25/23 mpg city/highway/combined—far better than the V-8-powered model’s 13/18/15 mpg—but during our drive in the countryside we struggled to approach 18 mpg average as reported by the onboard computer.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

Here's positive comment about turbo lag / torque fill from the Motortrend review:

Yes, it’s a hybrid now, but save the Prius jokes because, like other Toyota trucks, it feels tuned for power, not economy. Unlike most of Toyota’s car-based hybrids, which blend two electric motors with the engine via a planetary continuously variable automatic transmission—you know, the combination that makes mooing sounds—the Land Cruiser gets the truckier version with a single large electric motor integrated into the transmission, which dumps torque into the drivetrain every time you touch the throttle. The torque fill helps the drivetrain feel far more responsive at all times, but especially at low engine speeds when the turbo hasn’t spooled.

Weighing 800 pounds less than the 200 Series and blessed with that on-demand torque, the new Land Cruiser feels considerably quicker. We think the 0–60-mph time will drop by nearly a second, making it the quickest Cruiser ever, despite half the cylinder count of the old V-8. Even so, the EPA says the new Land Cruiser will do 22/25/23 mpg city/highway/combined—far better than the V-8-powered model’s 13/18/15 mpg—but during our drive in the countryside we struggled to approach 18 mpg average as reported by the onboard computer.

I wasn’t expecting anything less. That electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the transmission is like all other cars that feature that setup, it’s not only to help mitigate the Turbo lag but also give you peak torque at a lower RPM. Great choice by Toyota.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

In other news, seems like the 2.4T Hybrid is a great engine all around. Let’s see how it varies in the Tacoma products though. As for videos I loved TheStraightPipes one and Throttle House especially with how tough the new Land Cruiser is built. If you watch that video you can see how it did in Sand dune conditions

 

[zachavm]

Has anyone found a review that speaks to turbo lag?

The reviews that I've seen on the non-hybrid suggest that there is not much turbo lag anyway. Thus, I would expect the electric motor to completely negate what is left.

 

[Markarian421]

We're on our second turbo hybrid car now, and with that setup it's pretty easy to eliminate any turbo lag.

Anyone know if the steering in the new 4Runner will by electronic like the LC? The lack of steering feedback in LC off road driving seems to be a recurring theme.

Two more videos fromAutomotive Press:

FIRST LAND CRUISER 250 OFF-ROAD DRIVE

FIRST LAND CRUISER TWISTY HIGHWAY DRIVE

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

We're on our second turbo hybrid car now, and with that setup it's pretty easy to eliminate any turbo lag.

Anyone know if the steering in the new 4Runner will by electronic like the LC? The lack of steering feedback in LC off road driving seems to be a recurring theme.

Two more videos fromAutomotive Press:

FIRST LAND CRUISER 250 OFF-ROAD DRIVE

FIRST LAND CRUISER TWISTY HIGHWAY DRIVE

Here’s my take. The LC is less hardcore than that of the new 4Runner. I think Toyota will definitely tune the Electronic steering system on the 4Runner.

 

[zachavm]

We're on our second turbo hybrid car now, and with that setup it's pretty easy to eliminate any turbo lag.

Anyone know if the steering in the new 4Runner will by electronic like the LC? The lack of steering feedback in LC off road driving seems to be a recurring theme.

Two more videos fromAutomotive Press:

FIRST LAND CRUISER 250 OFF-ROAD DRIVE

FIRST LAND CRUISER TWISTY HIGHWAY DRIVE

I've seen reviews of the Tacoma (which should be the same) saying that it does use electric power steering. However, they also commented that there was still a good deal of feedback to the driver. He was overall very positive on it.

 

[jnsplace]

Anyone have any idea on what's the latest word on the Hybrid train for the Tacoma reviews?

 

[Administrator]

Anyone have any idea on what's the latest word on the Hybrid train for the Tacoma reviews?

Tacoma Hybrid reviews will be published on April 23.

 

[jnsplace]

I think this will be a great data point to get. I see in general, LC reviews have been good. Interesting on the noise comments, so hoping that the "taco" front config will mitigate some of that.