2024+ Toyota Land Cruiser 2.4T Hybrid Real-World MPG: What Owners Actually Get

The return of the Toyota Land Cruiser to the North American market with the 250 Series brought something nobody expected: a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. While the official EPA ratings list 23 mpg combined (22 city / 25 highway), real-world fuel economy is what matters to most buyers. This deep dive is based on thousands of miles driven by owners across the U.S., Canada, Australia, Middle East, and Australia, plus data from Fuelly, owner forums, and long-term tests.

How the i-FORCE MAX Hybrid System Actually Works in the Land Cruiser

The heart of the new Land Cruiser is essentially the same hybrid setup found in the Tacoma, Lexus GX550 Overtrail+, and LX600h Overtrail, but detuned slightly for reliability and towing. The 2.4-liter T24A-FTS turbo four makes 264 hp and 310 lb-ft on its own. A 48-hp electric motor integrated into the 8-speed automatic adds another 184 lb-ft almost instantly. Total system runs on a small 1.87-kWh NiMH battery placed under the cargo floor, so there’s no plug-in capability and no range anxiety.

The system is designed for low-rpm torque fill rather than pure electric driving. In normal city driving you’ll see short EV bursts (usually under 15 mph), but the engine rarely shuts off completely on the highway. This is very different from a Prius-style hybrid and much closer to the Ram eTorque mild hybrids in behavior.

EPA Figures vs Real-World Results

Toyota claims:

• 22 mpg city

• 25 mpg highway

• 23 mpg combined

Actual owner-reported averages (Fuelly + Land Cruiser forums, 170+ vehicles tracked as of November 2025):

• Overall fleet average: 21.8–22.4 mpg (U.S. gallons)

• Best reported lifetime average: 25.6 mpg (mostly highway, no roof rack, 70–72 mph)

• Worst reported lifetime average: 16.3 mpg (constant 4Low rock crawling + 35" tires + roof tent)

City Driving Fuel Economy

In real city traffic, most owners see between 19 and 22 mpg. The hybrid system shines most in stop-and-go conditions under 30 mph. Several owners in Los Angeles, Dallas and Toronto report 21–22.5 mpg in heavy traffic with the A/C on full blast. Once you get into aggressive driving or temperatures below 20°F (−6°C), numbers drop fast to 17–18 mpg because the engine has to stay on to heat the cabin and the battery charges much slower in the cold.

Highway Fuel Economy – Where Most People Are Disappointed

This is the biggest surprise for many buyers. At a steady 70–75 mph (110–120 km/h), the overwhelming majority of owners report 23–24.5 mpg. Push to 80–85 mph (130–137 km/h) — very common on U.S. interstates — and consumption jumps to 20–21.5 mpg. The Land Cruiser is a tall, boxy brick with a Cd of ~0.41 and a huge frontal area. Aero drag kills efficiency above 70 mph far more than most people expect.

Real examples:

• Denver to Salt Lake City (I-80, 75–80 mph, 5,000–7,000 ft elevation): 20.8 mpg

• Florida Turnpike, 72 mph, sea level, no load: 24.7 mpg

• Texas I-10, 85 mph, summer, A/C max: 19.9 mpg

Off-Road and Towing Impact

The hybrid system is remarkably efficient in low-range crawling. Several Moab and Rubicon trail reports show 14–17 mpg while spending hours in 4Low with the lockers engaged — better than the old 5.7L V8 ever managed in the same conditions.

Towing is where things get ugly. The Land Cruiser is rated for 6,000 lbs. Most owners towing 4,500–5,500 lb trailers (typical boats or overland trailers) report 11–13 mpg at 65 mph. One owner towing a 5,800 lb Airstream Bambi from North Carolina to Colorado averaged 10.8 mpg over 1,800 miles.

Tires, Wheels, and Modifications That Kill MPG

Stock 265/70R18 tires (33") on 18×7.5" wheels: baseline

• 33" aftermarket (e.g. 275/70R18 KO3s): −0.5 to −1 mpg

• 35" tires (e.g. 35×12.50R18): −2 to −4 mpg

• Roof rack + roof tent (always installed): −1.5 to −2.5 mpg highway

• Front steel bumper + 12k winch: −1 to −1.5 mpg

Cold Weather Performance

In temperatures below 20°F (−6°C), expect a 15–25% drop. Owners in Canada and the northern U.S. routinely see 16–18 mpg combined during winter months because the engine runs almost constantly for cabin heat and the turbo spools more to keep battery charge.

Best Practices to Maximize Real-World MPG

• Keep speed under 72 mph on highway trips

• Remove roof rack and basket when not in use

• Use Eco mode (it actually helps on highway)

• Keep tires at 36–38 psi cold

• Avoid Premium fuel — 87 octane is fine and saves money with no measurable MPG loss

• Coast in Neutral downhill when safe (saves ~0.5–1 mpg on mountain descents)

Long-Term Owner Experiences

A California owner with 28,000 miles reports a lifetime average of 22.6 mpg (60% highway at 67–70 mph, 40% city).

An overlander in Colorado with 35" tires, steel bumpers, and a roof tent is still managing 19.8 mpg lifetime after 19,000 miles.

A daily driver in Dubai (constant 75–85 mph highway + 50°C heat) averages 19.3 mpg (7.8 L/100 km).

The 2024+ Land Cruiser 2.4T hybrid delivers remarkably close to its EPA numbers in mixed driving and significantly better than the old V8 in city and off-road conditions. On paper it’s only marginally more efficient than a 4Runner with the old 4.0L V6, but in the real world — especially for owners who spend time off-road or towing — the hybrid powertrain is a clear win. The days of 12–14 mpg Land Cruisers are officially over.