2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Genesis GV80

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine choices: a 2.5T turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.5T twin-turbocharged V6. Buyers could select from Standard, Advanced, Prestige, or Prestige Signature trims, with prices ranging from $57,700 to $81,750, plus an additional $1,350 destination charge. Our focus was the top-shelf Prestige Signature trim priced at $84,600 with the exclusive Matterhorn White Matte paint job.

The Prestige Signature trim featured unique colors like Vik Black, Matterhorn White Matte, and Mauna Red, adorned with dark chrome trim and nearly invisible 22-inch wheel designs due to the black paint covering them. While visually stunning, we found the Prestige Signature not necessarily more attractive than the regular Prestige trim, mainly because the wheels' intricate details faded into the background.

Inside, the GV80 Prestige Signature exuded opulence with its Ultramarine Blue over Dune interior, highlighting diamond-stitched Nappa premium leather, an artificial leather dashboard wrap, matte-finish wood trim, a suede headliner, and metallic-finish accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display further emphasized the GV80's luxurious status.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser retained its iconic, boxy look and flat roof, a nod to its storied history. Each of the three trims featured elements harking back to vintage Cruisers, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out and round headlights reminiscent of past series. All lighting was LED, aligning classic inspiration with modern standards. The higher trims offered color-selectable fog lights from RIGID Industries, a contemporary twist to the timeless design.

Driver comfort was enhanced with a lowered beltline for improved visibility, standard 18-inch alloy wheels, and optional 20-inch wheels for the middle trim. The First Edition included additional off-road gear like a roof rack, front skid plate, and mudflaps, making it ready for any adventure.

The GV80's interior emphasized luxury and high-end materials, while the Land Cruiser combined practicality with references to its heritage, enriching its appeal to different audience preferences.

The GV80 2.5T came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, surpassing some rivals' larger V6 engines. Our test vehicle, the 3.5T, housed a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain promised thrilling performance but was relatively fuel-thirsty. The EPA rated it at 20 mpg combined, though our real-world testing yielded 17.2 mpg.

Both GV80 engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, offering five driving modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. The GV80's ground clearance stood at 8.1 inches, and it could tow up to 6,000 pounds. The 3.5T also included upgraded front brakes and adaptive damping suspension, enhancing its athleticism. The GV80 provided a composed yet engaging drive, with swift acceleration and commendable grip and braking on mountain roads.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, now a hybrid, used a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine supported by a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a combined 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It also featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case for high and low range. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available in mid-tier and First Edition models, could operate in both 4Hi and 4Lo.

With an automatic limited-slip differential and standard rear- and center-locking differentials, the Land Cruiser was formidable off-road. Middle and top trims had a push-button front sway bar disconnect for better articulation without excess body roll on-road. The CRAWL control function provided low-speed cruise control for challenging terrains, making the vehicle's operation quieter and more efficient.

The GV80 aimed for a balance between luxury and performance, whereas the Land Cruiser leaned towards off-road prowess and hybrid efficiency.

For 2024, the GV80 3.5T Advanced was the only trim with a third-row seat, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Prestige Signature focused on comfort over capacity, seating just four with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated second-row captain's chairs. Intriguingly, our test prompted us to leave the SUV behind for a family trip due to its limited seating.

The GV80's interior featured materials ranging from artificial to premium leather, panoramic glass roof, triple-zone climate control, and various comfort-enhancing features. Cargo space measured 34.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats up and expanded to 84 cubic feet with them down. However, the Prestige Signature's rear center console posed a challenge for sliding in large items.

The 2024 Land Cruiser, resembling the Prado, offered two rows of seating with 36.1 inches of front headroom and 35.3 inches in the back, along with 33.0 inches of front legroom and 26.7 inches in the rear. Essential off-road controls were easily accessible from the center console, with additional features in higher trims, such as a wireless charging pad and a center console cool box.

The Land Cruiser provided a cargo area with a raised floor, a rubber mat for practicality, and a total cargo volume of 37.5 cubic feet. It also included a 120-volt AC outlet powered by a 2400-watt inverter and USB-C ports for added convenience.

Both vehicles combined luxury and practicality, but the GV80 emphasized passenger comfort and cargo utility, whereas the Land Cruiser focused on accessibility and rugged usability.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, though its placement encouraged the use of a central control dial. The standard infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The introduction of a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging extended the SUV's tech appeal, complemented by a Lexicon premium sound system.

The GV80's digital key system allowed unlocking and starting the SUV with a smartphone, and a head-up display (HUD) in the Prestige trims provided helpful information, such as blind-spot warnings. A transition to a digital instrument display was anticipated in future models, marking an end to traditional analog gauges.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was highlighted by the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on higher trims, which activated automatically under 10 mph to display the terrain on the 12.3-inch center touchscreen. This feature was particularly useful in off-road conditions.

While its infotainment interface was sparse, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensured connectivity, alongside four USB-C ports for passengers. The basic infotainment system in the 1958 trim consisted of an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system. The higher trims offered a 10-speaker system with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL system, a head-up display, and a digital rear-view mirror.

Genesis focused on a high-tech luxury experience, while Toyota emphasized functional off-road technology.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 was equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) like a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The latter combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and lane-change assist, proving useful in light to dense traffic conditions. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and HUD enhanced safety when changing lanes, and the Remote Smart Parking Assist allowed autonomous parking even from outside the vehicle.

The GV80 earned top safety ratings: the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, though the front-impact positions received four stars each.

On the other hand, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or the NHTSA. However, Toyota's history suggested a good safety record. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Additional features like lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist were available in higher trims.

The GV80 boasted confirmed safety accolades, while the Land Cruiser relied on Toyota's trusted safety reputation.