Over the years, Toyota has made its name and collected awards not only for its resale value, but also for durability and safety. The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser San Diego is no exception. Aside from consistently ranking high in crash-test ratings, features like its hybrid turbo engine and four-wheel drive make it perfect for San Diego’s unique terrain.
That said, does this toughness translate to everyday driving in San Diego CA? With that said, let’s learn the features of this SUV at Dalton Toyota National City that make it a great choice for driving in versatile terrain.
Also Read: New Toyota Cars in San Diego, CA
San Diego Driving Realities You Shouldn’t Ignore
Driving in San Diego has its own unique challenges that test not only the driver’s capability but also that of the vehicle. Its geography and climate determine the reliability of the SUV one is driving.
- Sun glare: The bright Californian sun on freeways like the I-8 affects the visibility of the place, demanding responsive headlights and a good windshield.
- Fog in the morning: Fog, which usually happens in coastal areas, greatly affects visibility. Apart from adaptive headlights, you also need advanced safety and driver-assist features to drive confidently.
- Rugged terrain: Descents and winding climbs are how you can best describe driving on Palomar Mountain or Mt. Soledad. With this terrain, your SUV should have precise handling and features that can manage steep grades.
- Weekend trips to places with different landscapes: California has mountains on one side and long coastlines on the other. With these, you’ll need an outdoor-ready SUV with enough power, towing capacity, and traction to drive through uneven terrain.
- Traffic: Driving through downtown may be a breeze on the tires with cemented roads, but not on your hands and fuel mileage. With dense, stop-and-go type of traffic, you need a vehicle with smooth acceleration and good fuel efficiency. With tight parking spots, you’ll also need a good-sized vehicle with great technology aids like sensors and cameras.
Knowing the unique driving challenges in San Diego, how does the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 fare?
9 Key 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Specs That Make It San Diego-Ready
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a tough SUV that can handle city traffic and off-road trails with ease. But the 2025 model of the Land Cruiser has a powerful set of features that blends strength, efficiency, comfort, and safety.
Here are the standout features that actually make the Land Cruiser a capable SUV in San Diego:
1. Ground Clearance and Approach/Departure Angles
The Toyota Land Cruiser 2025 features a running ground clearance of 7.9 inches. This means that the SUV is less likely to have scraped or stuck undersides when driving over uneven surfaces.
Approach and departure angles (31/22) in the Land Cruiser also have a say on how well this SUV fares in San Diego. An approach angle refers to the steepness of the inclination climbed, while the departure angle works the same, but for going downhill or when backing up.
All these features combined, you can expect a comfortable ride without worrying about damaging the SUV’s underbody.
2. Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive + Transfer Case
With San Diego’s terrain, it is important to maintain your SUV’s traction and stability. That is the purpose of the Toyota Land Cruiser’s Full-Time 4-Wheel Drive system.
Unlike other SUVs, the Land Cruiser automatically does this thanks to its 4WD system. All four wheels will have better grip and stay stable, whatever the road conditions are.
This SUV also has a 2-speed transfer case that gives more torque and control in tricky driving situations. When on “low-range,” it gives more control as it climbs on steep roads. When it’s in “high-range,” the Land Cruiser is geared up for regular driving.
Paired with specialized off-road features like Crawl Control (CRAWL) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC), you remain in control even in the toughest San Diego terrains.
3. Hybrid Turbocharged Engine
Under the hood of the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is a 2.4L 4-cylinder i-FORCE MAX Hybrid powertrain. Aside from having a gasoline-powered engine, the SUV has an electric motor working alongside it.
With this, the gasoline-powered engine burns fuel to create the energy needed to move the car. Then, if the Land Cruiser needs extra power, the electric motor will kick in. The best part is that this setup works seamlessly, so you won’t feel a thing as the electric motor produces more power. Just a smooth and quiet ride throughout.
Together, this hybrid system produces 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque to easily climb hills or tow heavy loads. Plus, with the electric motor, you can save more on fuel.

4. Electronically Locking Differentials
When roads become slippery or muddy, vehicles can easily get stuck. The wheels don’t move forward even when spinning. With the Toyota Land Cruiser 2025, you won’t experience it thanks to the electronically controlled locking rear and center differentials.
These locking differentials split the power between the SUV’s wheels instead of concentrating on the wheel that slips. This way, even with one wheel getting stuck or continuously spinning, the other three still have traction and can move the Land Cruiser forward.
5. Multi-Terrain Select, Multi-Terrain Monitor, and Crawl Control
Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control are two of the five off-road features you’ll find in the Toyota Land Cruiser San Diego. Multi-Terrain Select allows you to choose from six driving modes (Auto, Dirt, Mud, Sand, Rock, and Deep Snow) based on the terrain. Just flip the switch, and the system automatically tweaks the gas pedal and braking.
Multi-Terrain Monitor, on the other hand, uses lower-angled cameras to give a detailed view of the ground and the SUV’s surroundings. You can access this feature on the panoramic view monitor.
Crawl Control (CRAWL), on the other hand, is your driver-assist feature on tough trails. Instead of manually shifting between the gas and the brake pedal, CRAWL moves the Land Cruiser at a slow and steady pace. By then, you can just focus on the steering wheel.
6. Towing Capacity
Towing capacity is what sets an all-terrain SUV apart from the pack. With the Toyota Land Cruiser towing capacity, it can handle up to 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser is capable of hauling jet skis, kayaks, or a small trailer for your weekend trip with its power and stability.
Plus, the Land Cruiser already has a towing receiver hitch and wiring harness (with 4-/7-pin connectors), so you can easily attach whatever you need to tow to it. Just make sure not to go beyond the SUV’s towing capacity.
7. Comfortable Interior with Climate Control
With San Diego’s ever-changing weather, the driver and the passengers must remain comfortable. But instead of settling for dual climate control or heated seats, the Toyota Land Cruiser has a three-zone automatic front and rear climate control system. Even the rear-seat passengers can control their temperature with a separate control panel.
The Land Cruiser 2025 also has heated and ventilated front seats to keep the front passengers comfortable, no matter the weather. SofTex® fabric covers the seats, making them easier to clean and resistant to spills. 8. Safety and Technology in One

Even when made for off-road San Diego adventures, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser has the tech features you need to stay connected. It has an easy-to-use Toyota Auto Multimedia touchscreen that is 8 to 12.3 inches. It also has a 6 to 10-speaker audio system. You can use it to access navigation, music, and other apps.
But it’s all thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that you can wirelessly sync your phone to the Land Cruiser’s touchscreen. Its six USB ports ensure that your phone never drains out of battery, even when you’re on the road. You also have the option to equip the SUV with wireless charging (Qi-compatible phones).
9. Standard Toyota Safety Features
Safety is a standard across all Toyota models. Hence, in the 2025 Land Cruiser, you’ll find its Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This is Toyota’s suite of safety features that enhance safety and reduce the driver’s stress.
The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/ PD)
- Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA)
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
- Road Sign Assist (RSA)
- Automatic High Beams (AHB)
- Proactive Driving Assist (PDA)
Experience the Toyota Land Cruiser Difference at Dalton Toyota San Diego
People know San Diego County for its demanding driving conditions. Whether it is highway cruising or canyon climbs, the Toyota Land Cruiser San Diego holds up. With its hybrid powertrain, full-time 4WD, and safety features, this SUV is the smartest choice for your chosen lifestyle.
Are you ready to make the Toyota Land Cruiser for sale your next tough SUV? Visit Dalton Toyota in National City. Our expert team will help you through the process.
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