Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus LX

Well, we say “finally.” In fact, the US market has only gone without the Land Cruiser for two years, but the fandom made it clear that was two years too many. The new stateside Land Cruiser is an all-new model for 2024. Its coming was presaged by the Lexus GX with which it shares a platform, but Toyota made sure that this midsize SUV falls squarely in its own segment.

Verdict: The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is the latest in a spate of automotive reboots, and it just may be the best of them. The new Land Cruiser combines retro styling and excellent off-road capability with the latest in comfort and convenience and, of course, brand heritage. But Toyota may be relying too heavily on the revered nameplate to justify the price, particularly since it’s changed some of the fundamental characteristics of the model.

Launched in 1995, the original Lexus LX was one of the first luxury SUVs, competing with the Land Rover Range Rover and paving the way for modern rivals like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Infiniti QX80, BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, and the revived Jeep Grand Wagoneer. But while all of those SUVs are fairly fresh designs, the LX hasn’t been redesigned in almost a decade.

So the fourth-generation 2022 Lexus LX 600 has been a long time coming. The redesign brings a new platform, updated infotainment and driver-assist tech, and a new twin-turbocharged V6 engine, among other things. Like all previous LX generations, it’s based on the Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyota isn’t bringing the latest Land Cruiser to the United States, however, so the new LX won’t have to deal with sibling rivalry anymore.

The 2022 Lexus LX 600 launches in base, Premium, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trim levels. We spent a few days with a range-topping LX Ultra Luxury to see if this once-revolutionary SUV is worth spending money on today.