Why Everyone's Wrong About the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

Brian Makse June 21, 2025
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Brian Makse

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Brian Makse isn't your typical car guy. He's a professionally obsessed speed addict who's won championships and piloted machines that spark pure excitement. With a racing background hard-earned through lessons learned at the limits and sometimes beyond, he's spent more time sideways on racetracks than most spend in office chairs. His YouTube channel is an authentic dive into driving, narrated by someone who can mock himself while breaking down performance with surgical precision. He's owned racing teams and driven supercars worth more than most homes, but he'll be the first to admit he's never outgrown his fascination with speed. Expect unfiltered insights from someone who knows cars so well he can laugh at his own expertise — and hopefully make you laugh along the way.

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Is the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 the anti-luxury SUV we've been waiting for? While YouTube commenters rage about Toyota's hybrid powertrain choices, we took this "budget" Land Cruiser on the road to separate internet noise from driving reality. Spoiler alert: the keyboard warriors might be missing the point entirely. In this comprehensive driving review, we dive deep into what makes the Land Cruiser 1958 tick beyond the controversial headlines. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid system delivers 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque through a seamless 8-speed automatic, but the real story is how this powertrain actually behaves on real roads with real driving situations. We explore the steering feel, brake pedal response, and suspension tuning that reveals Toyota's true engineering priorities. The 1958 trim represents Toyota's philosophy of authentic capability over Instagram aesthetics. Round LED headlights aren't just retro styling, they signal a truck built for people who actually use their vehicles. We examine how fabric seats, manual adjustments, and simplified controls create a more honest driving experience while maintaining the full-time 4WD system, locking differentials, and off-road technology that defines the Land Cruiser legacy. Key Features Covered: - i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbocharged hybrid powertrain performance - Full-time 4WD system with center and rear locking differentials - TNGA-F platform handling and ride quality assessment - Interior ergonomics and driver interface evaluation - Pricing strategy and specification recommendations • Real-world fuel economy Technical Specifications: - Engine: 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid - Power: 326 hp @ 6,000 RPM | 465 lb-ft @ 1,700 RPM - Transmission: 8-speed automatic with manual mode - Drivetrain: Full-time 4WD with 2-speed transfer case - Towing: 6,000 lbs - Curb Weight: 5,037 lbs Does the 2024 Land Cruiser First Edition REALLY Live Up to the Legend? https://youtu.be/YSkeJRnkRUU ——————————————————————— // MY AMAZON STORE with my favorite things for drivers https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-4cc174af (this is an affiliate link) /// MERCH Pick up some sweet merch in our store! https://brian-makse-shop.fourthwall.com/ /// HELP US OUT Gearheads! We take great pains to make sure this show sounds great, but quality post-production ain't cheap! Donate credits at https://auphonic.com/donate_credits?user=brianmakse to keep our show's motor running. Even small donations help cover editing costs so we can keep bringing you tuned audio that captures the essence of automotive freedom. Help out fellow car nuts spreading the passion for driving - donate to our Auphonic credits today! /// SUBSCRIBE Subscribe NOW to Brian Makse's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=brianmakse /// SOCIAL Instagram: http://Instagram.com/BrianMakse Twitter: http://Twitter.com/BrianMakse Facebook: http://Facebook.com/MakseAttack Spotify: https://sptfy.com/brianmakse Link In My Bio: https://makse.com/linkinbio/ /// MORE About Brian: http://makse.com/about /// WHAT I'M LISTENING TO Real AF With Andy Frisella https://andyfrisella.com/blogs/realaf-podcast Be sure to let us know what you think about this video and smash the subscribe button if you haven’t already! Test vehicles are provided by the respective manufacturers for review purposes, unless otherwise noted, and all opinions are our own. Music © 2025 Russell Soares (russellsoares.com), used with permission, all rights reserved. #LandCruiser #Toyota #HybridTruck #SUVReview #AutomotiveReview #4WD #OffRoad #CarReview #2025Cars #ToyotaLandCruiser #brianmakse

Cruiser Essentials: Upgrade Your Off-Road Experience

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