But perhaps not the Land Cruiser as we have known it. Not one built from the J300 Chassis, like the rest of the world, anyway. But what does that actually mean?

In many ways, we already have the new Toyota Land Cruiser here on our shores. Toyota built the 2022 Tundra from the Toyota New Global Architecture F or TNGA F platform, which is the same body-on-frame structure used for the J300 generation Toyota Land Cruiser, which arrived globally in 2021.

The Japanese mega brand also uses it here in the U.S. for the latest Lexus LX600, which historically served as the Lexus version of the Land Cruiser. That lasted through 2021, when the last J200 based Land Cruiser was sold here. Back then, the Land Cruiser’s demise seemed inevitable. In fact, I tested the Heritage Edition Land Cruiser in 2020. You can check that article out here.

But now we know—officially—that the Toyota Land Cruiser name will return to the North American market for the 2024 model year. Toyota sent out a quick teaser saying to watch for the reveal on August 1st at 9:20pm EDT.

But look at the lead picture here. And consider the fact that the latest Land Cruiser has already existed in much of the world for two years. There is a surprise brewing. In words: fans of the original, don’t hold your breath.

Considering the latest SUV offerings from both Toyota and Lexus in recent history, as well as trends in the market these days, I suspect that the Land Cruiser will return to the U.S. as a hybrid only, smaller, more off-road focused utility. And it will consider its competition the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Bronco.

Yes, it will be based on the TNGA-F platform. No, it will not be as expensive, or as big, as the outgoing Land Cruiser. Priced closer to the 50k range than the 90k range, the Land Cruiser will likely see a version of the Lexus RX500h powertrain, which is a 2.4-liter hybrid. That setup is itself a version of the Toyota Crown‘s powertrain, named Hybrid Max.

And it may very well end up around the same size as an Lexus RX as well. Taller, probably, but no wider or longer. Bigger than a compact SUV, like the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, but smaller than, the Ford Explorer.

Of course, this is all speculation at the moment. But this is an icon nameplate to make its return to the U.S. and its hard not game out where Toyota wants to place it in the future. The above is my take. And I only need to wait a few days time to find out if I’m right.

For an in-depth analysis of what is known, check out what Gear Patrol had to say here.