The Toyota Land Cruiser brand is massively valuable, so when the vehicle left the U.S. market after 2021, you knew it would return. But you didn’t know it would come back like this: smaller, hybrid-powered, significantly cheaper, and with a totally different look. Here’s a first look at the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Maybe we should put “Land Cruiser” in quotes, because though this new machine bears that legendary name, this new hybrid-powered body-on-frame SUV is only tangentially related to the vehicle line that we’ve come to know here in the United States. Some may be worried that this is a “lite” version of the 300 Series Land Cruiser offered elsewhere; I’ll get into that later, but let’s first show off this new machine:
The Boxiness We All Crave
Appearance is where it all starts, and on the surface the new machine — which is 1.2 inches shorter than its predecessor — appears to be a Land Cruiser enthusiast’s dream. The styling of the new Land Cruiser is blocky and rugged, and seems to draw much of its inspiration from both the 60 and 80 Series. The windshield is rectangular, the A-pillars hit the roofline at a hard 45-degree angle, and the roof is virtually flat.
Two different headlight designs are available, one with a circular LED array, and the other a rectangular. This seems to call back to the early 60 Series model, which had circular lights, and the facelifted version (which became the 62 Series) that ditched the circles for rectangles.
Around back, the blockiness continues, though in this case, the gently rounded rear haunches and vertically-oriented taillights seem to take inspiration from the 80 Series.
Inside, the rugged-retro cues continue, with charming circular HVAC vents juxtaposed against modern switchgear and Toyota’s new infotainment system, which debuted on the third-generation Tundra.
A Regular Rear Liftgate
My favorite feature of my Land Cruisers is the split rear tailgate. I’ve used it as everything — a bench for hanging out with friends after a hike, a workstation to open up a map on or for patching punctured sleeping pads, a kitchen counter while camping, even as a platform for standing on to access stuff on the roof. Just this past weekend I spent an hour sitting on it with my dog while we camped at 10,500 ft.
Timber and I won’t be able to do this in the new Land Cruiser though because it only comes with a standard single-piece top-hinged rear hatch. This is also a departure from the previous-generation Prado and GX, which had a side-hinged rear hatch. While the side-hinged hatch allowed for the installation of a fold out table for use in the field, it was heavy and usually inconvenient to use, so it’s unlikely it’ll be missed by many. Worth noting: The glass on this new Land Cruiser can still be opened independently from the rest of the gate, just like in previous generations of the Prado and GX.
However, the tailgate is a major loss that I don’t think I’ll ever get over. If only Toyota understood its glory, maybe it would’ve worked this into the new design. Alas, we’ll never know, as the new Land Cruiser gets notably more boring in this area. [Editor’s Note: This was probably a cost-save, if I had to guess. Worth it for the lower price, in my opinion. -DT].
Trim Level Simplicity
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser will be offered in two core trim levels: Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser. The easiest way to tell the main two trims apart will be by the headlights — the entry-level 1958 gets the aforementioned round headlights, while the standard Land Cruiser gets the rectangular units.
There will also be a 5,000-unit run of a special First Edition that’ll combine elements of both trims, plus some bolt-on off-road accessories to make a fully-loaded trail-ready rig. Details on the First Edition are a little scarce at launch. (It oddly flips things back to round headlights).
Outside of off-road bits, which we’ll get to momentarily, additions to non-1958 models include a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen to the 1958’s eight-inch unit, a sound system with 10 speakers (four more than the 1958), and heated and ventilated power seats wrapped in simulated leather. A Premium package, available on either model, adds some nice-to-haves like a sunroof, heated and ventilated seats with real leather, additional speakers, a digital rearview mirror, and more.
Perhaps a consolation for those disappointed by the perceived “watering down” of this icon (again, it’s the same as the Prado sold elsewhere, and the Prado is traditionally considered a light-duty Land Cruiser), this will be the first Land Cruiser-branded vehicle to be sold new in the U.S. that can be had with neither leather seats nor a sunroof since a handful of “poverty pack” 100 Series models that slipped in for the 1999 model year. Here’s at least one area where the new Land Cruiser plays to its most ardent fans.
A Rear Locker For Everyone
For when the pavement ends, the new Land Cruiser comes standard with a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential and driver-selectable low range — a familiar layout from past iterations of both the full-size and Prado models. Up front is new double-wishbone suspension with twin-tube shocks, while at the rear is a coil-sprung multi-link solid axle design.
In a boon for off-roaders, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser comes standard with a driver-selectable locking rear differential. Outside of the $141,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, I can’t think of any other new vehicle on sale today that doesn’t make you pay extra (or choose a higher-than-base trim) for the rear locker. Beyond that, Toyota’s Crawl Control — a low-speed off-road cruise control — comes standard as well.
Stepping up to the Land Cruiser (non-1958) trim adds a disconnecting front stabilizer bar first introduced on the new Tacoma, Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select terrain management system (this is the first time MTS has been offered separately from Crawl Control), a surround-view camera system, larger tires, and (perhaps gimmicky) Rigid-branded color-selectable LED fog lights.
Overall length comes in at 193.7 inches. The wheelbase measures 112.2 inches, which is the same as the 300 Series, which Toyota was quick to point out also happens to be the same as the 80 Series. Approach, departure, and breakover angles come in at 31.0, 25.0, and 22.0 degrees, respectively, numbers that are identical to the outgoing, never-sold-in-North-America Land Cruiser Prado. For the sake of comparison, the 200 Series came in at 34.0, 24.0, and 21.0 degrees.
Hybrid Turbocharged Power
Under the hood of every new Land Cruiser is a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is the same hybrid powertrain that will be optional in the new Tacoma. Output is a healthy 326 combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel economy will be announced at a later date.
[UPDATE: Toyota’s website estimates 27 MPG combined!:
That seems… high. We’ve reached out to Toyota for confirmation. -DT].
While this mill should be more efficient than truck engines of yesteryear, don’t expect Prius or RAV4 Hybrid degrees of efficiency. If economy for the new Sequoia and Tundra i-Force Max hybrid models is any indicator, this hybrid system is likely better at offering supplemental power than it is at minimizing fuel consumption.
Some may question the new Land Cruiser’s relatively complicated powertrain (the verdict is still out on this powertrain’s durability), but at least Toyota is offering it with a 2.4-kW inverter that will allow owners to tap into the on-board 1.87-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery for use as an auxiliary power source in the field.
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser offers 6,000lbs of towing capacity and comes standard with a trailer hitch. Worth noting here: Unlike on the Defender, Wrangler, and Bronco with their rear rear-mounted spare tires, you shouldn’t need any kind of extender to use hitch-mounted accessories like a bike rack with the new Land Cruiser.
People May Actually Be Able To Afford This One
Unlike the old 200 Series, which at the time of its discontinuation had an MSRP just shy of $90,000, the new Land Cruiser will start at around $55,000, according to Toyota. Given the simplicity of the trim level hierarchy, expect a fully-loaded example to fall in the mid-high $60,000 range, though this is just speculation at this point. Again, as this new model isn’t a direct descendant of the old 200 Series — you aren’t likely to see these outfitted to handle IEDs — but the lower price point seems appropriate. Great, even.
What the New Land Cruiser Actually Is
Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page on what this vehicle is. There are three different product lines within the global Toyota Land Cruiser family. The one we’re most familiar with here in the U.S. is the full-size “wagon” model, the current generation of which is known as the 300 Series:
(The previous generation of the full-size model, the 200 Series, was the last Land Cruiser to be sold in the United States. My 2008 model is shown below, but they continued on until 2021):
Also still for sale the 70 Series, a primitive but durable-as-all-hell workhorse that’s been sold largely unchanged for decades and in a number of different fun bodystyle configurations:
Then finally, there’s the Land Cruiser Prado. Call it the Land Cruiser Lite if you will, but suffice to say it’s a smaller, lower-priced, consumer-grade model similar in function to the 4Runner. You aren’t likely to see Prado models used by intergovernmental organizations like you do the full-size Land Cruiser and 70 Series:
While the two previous generations of the Prado have been sold North America as the Lexus GX, the vehicle has never actually been sold here as a Toyota. That is, until now.
With a new TNGA-F-based Land Cruiser Prado on the way for the global market, the Toyota mothership has chosen to sell the vehicle here both as the new third-generation Lexus GX and, for the first time, as a Toyota. And without a 300 Series here to confuse people (the 300 Series will only be sold in other markets), Toyota has chosen to drop the “Prado” suffix and market what is known internationally as the Land Cruiser Prado simply as the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser (no Prado). Add some heritage-inspired styling and shoot a bunch of reveal photos in the rod rock deserts of Southern Utah and boom — Toyota has what looks to be a money-printing hit on its hands.
As someone who both owns a 200 Series and has spent time working in the product planning department as an OEM, I’m a little unsettled by this choice to sell the “lightweight” Land Cruiser here as if it’s the real thing. Because by definition, the Land Cruiser Prado isn’t built for the same use case as the full-size Land Cruiser. It may be reliable, but it probably isn’t as reliable as the big boy, given that the big boy is designed to handle insane abuse, because that’s what it’s used for. [Editor’s Note: The “real thing” 300 Series is built on the same TNGA-F platform as the GX and this new Land Cruiser (known as the Prado elsewhere), so maybe this thing will be as tough as the “real deal”? We just don’t know. -DT].
Marketing frustrations aside, whatever you want to call this new body-on-frame Toyota SUV, it looks like the perfect 4×4 SUV for a whole lot of people and at a price point they can afford.
What Happens To The 4Runner?
I ask this question because it’s kind of a mystery that every Toyota SUV fan is wondering about. In fact, Land Cruiser diehard and off-road expert Patrick Rich wants me to add this note:
Toyota sold nearly 10 4Runners for every Land Cruiser sold over the last generation, so I sure hope they know what they are doing stepping so heavily on the 4Runners toes. This is basically the 4Runner, but…not.
Despite it coming in at a higher price point than a traditional 4Runner, there’s still a lot of functional overlap between this new “Land Cruiser” and the 4Runner model. Rumor has it that the next 4Runner has been delayed until 2026 or so. Regardless, the sixth-gen 4Runner has to somehow differentiate itself from the new Land Cruiser here. My money is on the next 4Runner gaining some degree of configurability, perhaps a removable roof, which would harken back to the original 4Runner. It could be a Jeep Wrangler competitor, with the new Land Cruiser here acting as a more refined, grand tourer of sorts, a la Grand Cherokee.
The Verdict
Is it a Land Cruiser in name only? If you ask me, yeah. Though I am skeptical in some ways about whether I should look at this new Land Cruiser as a “Land Cruiser Lite,” as most people look at the Prado, which this vehicle will be named in other markets. We don’t know exactly where Toyota pulled cost to get this new Land Cruiser’s MSRP so low; as long as it’s not in areas that affect durability/longevity, I’m happy.
The new Land Cruiser looks like a well-equipped, do-everything, smaller adventure rig that should still perform well in rough terrain, all while offering above-average reliability and holding its value pretty well, even if it isn’t as rare or unique or special as the full-size model we’re used to. Will I sell my 200 Series to buy one? No. But am I currently doing the math in my head to figure out how I can afford to park one next to my 200 Series? Yeah, I am.
This is a great looking vehicle. The lack of a split gate in the rear is a bummer but I can look past it. Unfortunately, for me, the lack of a third row just might be a deal killer. My LR4 has 115,000 miles and I have to mentally prepare for my next vehicle. Hopefully the hybrid powertrain makes it over to the Lexus GX, which is available with a third row.
Yeah but the load-in height in the rear is pretty high in the LC and that’s without a 3rd row. I’m assuming that is due to the hybrid battery? It almost looks as high as my GX460 with the 3rd row folded…so I think we may not get both 3rd row + hybrid in this class. You’d need to go to Highlander and whatever the lexus twin is with the IRS set-up.
I like it, I like it a lot. Stock 33s is huge. The biggest drawback is the hybrid power train, which is just more weight and more stuff to go wrong. Apparently they get a non-hybrid diesel version overseas, which would be highly preferable.
Having a more luxurious version of my FJ without the severe frame rust issues would be nice, but I’ve put so much time and effort and money into the FJ I doubt I could ever sell it.
Maybe this can siphon off some of the people in the FJ facebook groups who constantly post unfunny memes about gas guzzling (it’s a rectangle with wheels, what did you expect?) and I can start reading those groups again though.
I’m not too worried about the Hybrid system, they’ve been building this one for ages and its kinks are pretty well sorted, plus it comes with an 1800 watt/hr battery and 2400 watt inverter as standard which is amazing. No more dual batts or solar generators needed as this is like having a 150 Ahr dual battery setup pre-installed, also it recharges in basically no time.
Toyota hybrids are generally as good as any Toyota. Maybe even a bit better.
“I’m a little unsettled by this choice to sell the “lightweight” Land Cruiser here as if it’s the real thing. Because by definition, the Land Cruiser Prado isn’t built for the same use case as the full-size Land Cruiser. It may be reliable, but it probably isn’t as reliable as the big boy, given that the big boy is designed to handle insane abuse, because that’s what it’s used for. [Editor’s Note: The “real thing” 300 Series is built on the same TNGA-F platform as the GX and this new Land Cruiser (known as the Prado elsewhere), so maybe this thing will be as tough as the “real deal”? We just don’t know. -DT]. “
This bit is the info I was curious about but didn’t see discussed at any other outlets, thanks!
Looks similar to the Jeep Recon ev concept. I dig it.
OK, it’s nice that all trim levels have full-time 4WD and locking center and rear differentials, but it seems a bit of a downgrade from other Toyota trucks in the off-road realm: mud flaps, roof rack, and front skid plate (what about the plate for the transfer case and fuel tank?) all require a higher trim level. It also appears that all the tires are only highway tires rather than A/Ts.
On the other hand, most of these will never be driven on anything rougher than a dirt road and anyone seriously off-roading them will probably want to upsize tires anyway. Not adding a front skid plate and other accessories lets them save on cost and lets off-roaders pick their preferred brand (I’m sure TRD skid plates will be available through the dealer too)
The side profile looks an awful lot like the Scout renderings.
Pleasant enough to look at, but it reeks of Bronco Sport mentality, only with Toyota reliability and pricing.
I always hope for a salt resistant FJ40, when I hear new Land Cruiser.
Rust was the only thing that would kill them.
As usual I’m disappointed. )-:
Don’t let your dreams be dreams, Aqualu Industries in BC sells aluminum body parts for those.
I live a few miles away from these guys and their parts are amazing, but priced accordingly.
https://gozzardcomposites.com/
I think I saw the last decent affordable, restorable 40 series around here about 20 years ago.
Anyway I’m always hoping for new, I’m to an age that I don’t want to be one to leave an incomplete “10 year project” to the family. I’ve seen it happen to others more than once.
Careful what you wish for, our JL Wrangler has aluminum doors, hinges, tailgate, and hood. There’s SO many having paint blistering issues on these parts due to poor prep or Jeep not fully working out how to paint aluminum vs steel. Ford has had similar issues. So yeah no rust on these parts, but look like crap after 1-3 years……. Underneath do fluid film each year if you live in the salt belt.
Overall it’s pretty cool, but does anyone else kinda hate these wheel designs? They look like they belong on a 2nd gen Sienna to me.
Also the circular headlight design looks way better than the rectangular one…
The wheels are awful. Especially the 1958 ones. The trouble is that the chassis is the same track width as the 300 so they have to have a REALLY positive offset to make them work under a slightly narrower body and it shows. They look like train wheels.
Ah ha… I see what you mean regarding the offset…I think that is part of the issue.
Oh well, I’m sure there will be some other wheel options that will come along that will look better and (hopefully) keep the same offset. It’s a solvable problem, otherwise, I want one of these pretty bad.
Yeah, some of them reminded me of the 3rd gen Avalon of the same time, especially the Touring that had a dark finish to the wheels.
I hate the look of high offset wheels, but this site has taught me there’s a reason for it.
https://www.theautopian.com/heres-why-car-wheels-are-so-flat-these-days-and-no-its-not-just-aerodynamics-and-styling/
I own a 2012 4Runner and while it has years of life left I’m looking into the future for what might be next. I like the look of this Land Cruise but I am also disappointed to see it has neither the split tailgate of prior land cruises nor the power rear window I enjoy in the 4Runner. My preference would probably be to stretch my budget to the new GX now that it’s not eye searingly hideous to look at like the last model.
I think it looks great! And the base model, aka the one I could conceivably maybe possibly buy, looks best.
I kinda dig it.
All that, when all we really want is for Toyota to bring the 70-series stateside. I mean, they may only sell like 6 of them, but still.
“they may only sell like 6 of them, but still.”
That’s the problem. I think it is exactly the same problem with why they won’t sell the 300 series here too. Not enough Americans will fork over the $$ Toyota needs (or is) going to charge for the 70 or 300 series, since, let’s be honest, even with how capable off road these are, in the US I would guess +95% of them will be luxury on road vehicles for their 1st owners, which for the automaker are the ones they have to care about the most.
Sorry but it doesn’t do much for me. It looks pretty generic
The life cycle of Toyota products:
Week 1: introduced to great fanfare and hype about the styling.
Week 10: Compared unfavorably to competitors by influencers and journo’s who get to try everything for free. Called “boring and uninspired”.
Weeks 11-520: Steadily purchased by customers who value reliability over flash.
Week 521: Suddenly reconsidered by a new generation of influencers who drive used values in the stratosphere.
Pretty much. Toyota trucks are most popular at the beginning and end of their life cycle.
I think the take away here is that influencers suck.
Looks Amazinggg
Forget the crawl mode and styling cues, that’s the thing that will be most impressive, if true. A boxy and capable vehicle with decent gas mileage would be great.
It’s too small. Just get the 4Runner if you need an SUV this size.
If they keep the 4Runner, I’d probably just wait till the next gen. Fingers crossed that they use a more efficient powertrain and retain much of what makes a 4Runner appealing….and pricing in the $35k – $45K range (range I might be able to afford).
The 4Runner gets like 15 mpg. If this thing can actually do 27, that’d be great.
I am a big fan of this. One thing that no one has seemed to mention is that the headlight designs are a throwback to the 90 series Prado. The base model came with circle headlights and the higher trims had flush square headlights. Awesome subtle Easter egg.
The rear end looks like a Cerberus-era Jeep/Dodge product. I guess it’s an overall improvement, however
Anyone questioning this Land Cruiser’s capabilities or reliability has never driven a GX or an FJ Cruiser. All the previous Prados/GX/FJ were built in the same factory as LCs to the same level or reparability and quality. The GX is a great vehicle with more capability than most people need, and this Land Crusier is adding more features and getting rid of the Lexus fluff. In about 300k more mile I’ll be looking to replace my GX and hopefully these will be cheap enough by then,
It’s an honest question about cheapening out when $30,000 is pulled out of the price.
Yes it’s smaller, yes it might have a few less interior trimmings, but IMO it’s reasonable to wonder where corners might have been cut vs. the cost-no-object 200/300.
This can still be nice, while not being as nice as it “should” be.
We had a GX460 with light mods join us on the Rubicon last year. We got it to Rubicon Springs mostly clean with good line picking and excellent spotting from yours truly. I think he lost a trim piece below the door and a fender liner or something. Granted he had just regeared and added an air locker but we were all seriously impressed with that vehicle.
IMO, any BOF true 4×4 with a locker is more capable than most people would assume, given the driver is careful and has enough mechanical sympathy to not hammer on the skinny pedal to get through trails.
Impressive. What were the mods? Assuming lift and tires…were you running 35 inch tires and a maybe a 2 inch lift?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CizBYCmOLvH/?img_index=1
34.5″ tires and a 3″ Icon lift.
Skids, armor, winch, and lockers.
He won the newest vehicle award on our run so that was exciting for him! Made it all the way to the Springs in one day on his first time on the ‘con.
Wow, incredible…great to see someone wheeling a newer GX. I feel like i’ve seen a GX painted like that before too…thanks for the info!
I’m solidly nonplussed as to how any modern vehicle is “affordable” these days. And you put dirty dogs, gear and smelly kids in them? At 46 I’ve seen houses bought and sold for less then 2023 priced *average* vehicles. We bought a 2017 RAV4 with rebuilt title due to mouse damage for $14,000. With 24k miles it has been flawless, and I didn’t cringe when my son cracked the back bumper on a snowbank. Who cares. It’s the family hauler. I would never sleep at night if it was a $60,000 vehicle.
Inflation tho. When new my 97 cost 52 grand, but in 2023 thats over $100,000. Put another way, $60,000 today is $32,000 in 1997. Both are close to 90% of the median income.
To all those who might complain about this not being the ‘25 year service life’ Land Cruiser, y’all are missing the point. This isn’t the Aussie Outback or Africa. Nobody with the means to buy a $90k car is doing so to drive 250k miles to mining sites without changing cars. Toyotas normal reputation with 4Runners and Tacomas is more than sufficient for this use case in the US. People with that kind of means do play the long game though. Save $30k initially, plus 50% on gas in a time when the future of gas is uncertain-that’s a much bigger deal.
This is just a much nicer, more civilized version of the wrangler and bronco, at a time when buying either is risky due to quality issues. Enough power to be interesting, good looking inside and out, serious off road chips for when you are out camping and want to take the kids down their first trail, and enough capacity to tow the boat or small camper. Seems like a solid win. Bummer about the tailgate though. Tailgate+hatch or barn doors should be mandatory on any suv.
If its a Land Cruiser, it must meet a 25 year service life rule, regardless of Prado, 70 or J-wagon. The trouble isn’t going to be the durability, its going to be whether or not Toyota is using the beefy boi parts or lighter weight parts. The rear axle on the J120/J150 is not Toyota’s best, and things like the lower control arms and tie rods are WAY beefier on the 200/300 than the were on the 120/150
No doubt the full fat version is beefier/better, and good to know the Prado still hits the 25 year rule. My point is simply that, for the intended customer, I don’t think it’ll matter. It’s an off-road focused Toyota, so it’ll likely be reliable and exceed the off-road expectations of those who buy it. The amount of business they lose by switching to the lighter duty version is likely more than outweighed by the number who will consider it by chopping 30% off the price tag.
Of those doing hard lots of hard off road, how many bought one new vs picking up a 10 year old example or saving $30k on a rubicon? Full disclosure, I am speculating here, but I doubt the number is high. The second customer matters little to the manufacturer
You mention the rear axle and some other suspension bits…what are the other qauantitative ways LCs meet the 25 year service life criteria? I’d be curious to know what the 200 and even 300 has over the 150 and the new GX/TLC TNGA-F platform mates.
All the clickbait YouTube spam channels will have a new front end to Photoshop onto a Maverick and proclaim as the Toyota Stout (which will SHOCK the entire auto industry!)
Looks are great, the interior screen is actually sitting where it should be! WOW. Way better than the bronco which is already lost the plot IMO and the people able to get them have ruined the brand image, at least around here.
Only thing I don’t like is the engine. Not even a v-6. Yeah I get its a hybrid, but can people ONLY make a supercharge double turbo’d wondermotor these days? Just get back to old reliable ones? I laugh at that engine making it the “25 year service life” without major issues.
“oh Greg you are being ridiculous its a great engine” Yeah okay, go as the new tundra and sequoia folks how they love their engines blowing up, this is headed for the same repair bay.
If it was a hybrid from anyone but Toyota I’d agree…but they’ve been making hybrids for 25 years at this point. They know what they’re doing.
I too have some concerns about the Turbo part. Toyota trucks have had NA engines for a long time because they are low stress and durable and Toyota hasn’t had a ton of history with gas turbo engines. I think they can sort out any problems, but it is a concern.
Turbos don’t really equal that it won’t survive the 25 years with regular maintenance. If we are going down that route… how many diesel landcruisers have been built with a turbo (or two) on them?
I get there might be teething issues with a newer turbo system for the first 1-2 model years, but a company like Toyota would probably have it figured out pretty quick (if they haven’t already).
It’s also less moving parts/failure points vs. a V6
-Simpler timing chaing/tensioner system
-2 cams vs 4
-2 VVT systems vs 4
-4/8 injectors vs 6/12
-1 cylinder head vs 2
And toyota hasn’t had a flawless reputation with their V6’s (early build head gaskets), although they still are VERY good.
As far as a hybrid system is for reliabilty… there is some crazy high mileage on even Gen 1/2 priuses that have probably been through more horrific situations on-road (and maybe off road too?) than most of these LC’s will see off road haha.
Time will tell though