Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus GX

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 differed dramatically from the 2023 Lexus GX 470. The older model's rounded corners gave way to a more angular, geometric design, making it clear at a glance that this was a new generation. The spindle grille, a Lexus trademark, remained but was less pronounced than before. Triple-beam LED headlights bordered this grille, adding to the squared-off front's newfound assertiveness. The front fascia stood taller, with a reinforced chin exuding aggression. The hood featured humps above the front wheels, offering drivers enhanced positional awareness during off-road escapades. The sides of the GX seemed almost monolithic, with minimal character lines maintaining a horizontal path. A low window beltline helped with visibility, rising slightly before the C-pillar and maintaining a steady horizontal line to the rear. Standard running boards rounded off the bottom edge, with optional powered units in higher trims like the Luxury+. Lexus made the new GX available in six trims: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The Premium+ was predicted to be the bestseller, while the Luxury+ and Overtrail+ showcased the SUV's best features. Luxury models catered to sophistication and comfort with features like 22-inch wheels and illuminated doorsills. Meanwhile, the Overtrail trims focused on off-road prowess, providing 18-inch wheels paired with 33-inch all-terrain tires and Eco-friendly Nuluxe leatherette upholstery, built to withstand rougher use. Mechanically, the Overtrails boasted legitimate off-roading hardware. Inside, the GX blended luxury and utility. The abundant polyurethane-derived touchpoints catered to durability, with features like standard heated and ventilated front seats enhancing comfort. A large 14-inch touchscreen took center stage, complemented by numerous physical controls for off-road features and rotary knobs for climate and stereo controls. While it might not have been as opulent as rivals like the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the 2024 Lexus GX showcased a balance of luxury and rugged readiness. Toyotas approached the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's design with a nod to its storied past. The boxy silhouette and flat roof were unmistakably Land Cruiser. Each of the three trims showcased heritage-inspired details. The heritage grille, with "TOYOTA" spelled out, was reminiscent of the 40 series, while the round and rectangular headlights were callbacks to the 20 series and FJ62 respectively. Equipped with modern LED lighting, including RIGID Industries' color-selectable fog lights, the Land Cruiser balanced its vintage roots with contemporary features. Driver comfort was enhanced with a lowered beltline for superior visibility. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels adorned all trims, with optional 20-inch wheels available on the middle trim. The First Edition offered additional off-road enhancements like a roof rack and front skid plate. Inside, the base 1958 trim was furnished with cloth seats, whereas the middle trim's seats were covered in SofTex. The First Edition featured real leather seats with distinctive logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims. Those opting for the Premium Package could enjoy a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The Land Cruiser's cabin mirrored Toyota’s truck lineup, with cushy seats and padded consoles emphasizing comfort as much as capability.

The predecessor of the 2024 Lexus GX was known for its V8 engine, making its newly adopted V6 quite a shift. Despite this, the new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 generated 349 horsepower and a remarkable 479 lb-ft of torque, accessible at low revs, ensuring robust performance without needing excessive throttle. The 2024 GX was built upon the GA-F truck platform, a robust architecture ensuring stability on both highways and rough terrains. Unlike the Toyota Tundra’s 10-speed automatic transmission, the GX’s version felt confident, shifting without hesitation. It featured standard full-time 4WD with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential, giving it enhanced capability. Particularly, the Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential to split power equally between rear wheels. The Overtrail trims also benefited from Lexus' Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), enhancing both on-road and off-road stability by controlling the stabilizer bars. Our test drive revealed the GX’s impressive acceleration at various speeds and effective braking, although the conditions were favorable. Despite its significant weight, the body-on-frame SUV handled corners with unexpectedly minimal body roll, unlike its predecessors. While heavy rain had washed out the off-road testing loop, forcing a less aggressive test, the GX's abilities were still discernible. However, we couldn’t fully test its traction management modes or crawl-control and descent-control systems due to the conditions. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped with Toyota’s i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain, embraced a different performance philosophy. It combined a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD complemented its performance, featuring a two-speed transfer case for high and low ranges. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available in 4Hi and 4Lo modes, added versatility. Standard features like automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and center-locking differentials made off-roading easier. The middle and top trims could disconnect the front sway bar via a push-button, enhancing articulation without compromising on-road stability. Toyota's CRAWL control function was updated with five speed settings, allowing precise off-road navigation. It operated silently, unlike its previous iteration, and was useful on various terrains. The transmission's unobtrusive nature further enhanced the driving experience.

The interior of the 2024 Lexus GX was a testament to minimalist sophistication. It reduced physical buttons but retained essential rotary knobs for climate control next to the touchscreen and buttons for off-roading features on the lower console. Space-wise, the 2024 GX offered ample room for six-foot-tall adults in the first and second rows, with 41.2 inches of front legroom and 36.7 inches in the second row. However, the optional third row in Premium and Luxury models was cramped, only suitable for children despite its 31.7 inches of legroom. Compared to its competitor, the Land Rover Defender 110, the GX was more spacious overall, especially in cargo capacity. The GX provided 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row. With the third row folded, it expanded to 40.2 cubic feet, and the total cargo space reached 76.9 cubic feet. Overtrail models, lacking a third row, offered 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a total of 90.5 cubic feet with all seats down. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured two rows of seating. Measuring 36.1 inches of headroom in the front and 35.3 inches in the back, with 33.0 inches front legroom and 26.7 inches rear, it was less spacious than its Lexus counterpart. The center console of the Land Cruiser was user-friendly, with accessible off-road feature buttons and climate and media controls. The wireless charging pad, when equipped, was conveniently placed ahead of the cupholders. The rear liftgate opened onto a cargo area with 37.5 cubic feet of volume. It included a rubber mat for easy cleaning and a standard 120-volt AC outlet powered by a 2400-watt inverter.

The 2024 Lexus GX sported a 14-inch touchscreen elegantly integrated into the dash. Front-seat passengers benefited from a pair of USB-C ports and an available wireless charging pad. GX Overtrail models included additional USB-C ports for back seat passengers and a 120-volt AC outlet in the trunk. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured Wireless Apple CarPlay and Wireless Android Auto. The Drive Connect subscription service included an intelligent voice assistant and Remote Connect offered remote functionalities. The initial three-year trial for these services was free, but subsequent subscriptions cost between $15 and $25 per month. A 10-speaker audio system was standard, with the Luxury and Overtrail+ trims offering an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, standard on the Luxury+ trim. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, the added subscription costs post-trial were something to consider for long-term ownership. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system in the higher trims, making the 12.3-inch center touchscreen display invaluable during off-road endeavors. MTM activated automatically at lower speeds or via a button on the console. For infotainment, the larger screen was favorable compared to the ones found in other Toyota models like the Sequoia, Tacoma, and Tundra. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, accompanied by two USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base 1958 trim’s infotainment system had an 8-inch display with a six-speaker sound system. The middle trim featured a 10-speaker system, which could be upgraded to the First Edition’s 14-speaker JBL premium sound system via the Premium Package, which also included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

Safety improvements for the 2024 Lexus GX were substantial. While the 2023 model received a six out of 10 from CarGurus experts, and an even lower score the year prior, the new GX showed promise. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 became standard, offering pre-collision detection, avoidance, and braking. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and road-sign recognition were also included. Proactive driving assist added further safety by braking when necessary under adaptive cruise control. Though neither IIHS nor NHTSA had rated the 2024 GX, the new GA-F platform and upgraded safety features inspired confidence in its safety standards. The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser also awaited its safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. However, the 2024 Tundra, a platform mate, had earned a Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, fostering some confidence in the Land Cruiser's safety prospects. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 was standard across all Land Cruiser trims, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign assist. Proactive Driving Assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and additional features were part of the Premium Package and standard on the First Edition.