Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus NX

The 2026 Lexus NX, despite being a few years into its second generation, maintained a fresh appearance with its well-integrated styling elements. The design featured chunky fenders, headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, and taillights connected by a thin strip, all harmonized with the signature Lexus spindle grille. While it wasn't as classically handsome as the Genesis GV70 or Volvo XC60, it avoided the awkwardness seen in the latest Audi Q5 or BMW X3. The design team at Lexus refined the existing recipe, ensuring that key elements like the big grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than added for visual impact. The oversized grille, though still controversial, was balanced by the placement of the headlights and side air intakes.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model was characterized by round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim featured rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The upmarket version also boasted a broader color palette and additional features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers desiring more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like a two-tone paint job and a Premium Package, emphasized function over form, with a cabin that prioritized practicality. The Land Cruiser's construction and materials exuded quality, despite a few minor drawbacks like a thin metallic echo when doors slammed.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard setup in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The engine, related to the one in the Toyota Tacoma, felt more suited to a pickup truck than a luxury SUV. Despite a quoted 6.6-second zero to 60 mph time, the sluggish transmission made achieving this difficult. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models appeared more promising on paper, with the latter offering 304 hp and a 6-second sprint to 60 mph. However, the NX's indifferent chassis tuning and firm dampers compromised ride quality and driving engagement.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, was equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, shared with the 4Runner and Tacoma. This system combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The Land Cruiser featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive, and a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Despite its 5,445-pound weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, with impressive torque delivery. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select modes. However, in daily driving, it exhibited a truck-like ride and a touchy brake pedal, though it remained a capable and comfortable vehicle for various terrains.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space among compact luxury SUVs, though with some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but legroom was slightly less generous. Front-seat legroom was closer to the Audi and Mercedes, while the Acura offered more. The front seats felt somewhat constrained, with limited headroom and hindered outward visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind competitors. The NX's 2,000-pound towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser provided a comfortable cabin with ample room for up to five passengers. The 1958 model featured manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, included genuine leather, memory settings, and heated and ventilated rear seats. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 82.2 cubic feet with them folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat load floor posed challenges for loading bulky items.

The 2026 Lexus NX came standard with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen on base and Premium trims, while a 14-inch display was optional on the Premium grade and standard on higher trims. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Additional tech features required data connectivity packages, with free trials available. The 14-inch touchscreen in our test car was well-placed, though fan speed adjustment via a touch slider was awkward. The voice recognition system was helpful but had limitations, such as not being able to switch SiriusXM stations.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 came with a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle featured wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. The Intelligent Assistant worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with different data panels.

The 2026 Lexus NX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and more. Additional features like park assist and a 360-degree camera system were available. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, though it missed the highest rating due to an "Acceptable" score in the moderate overlap front crash test. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the current-generation NX.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety, though it could be overly aggressive. The Premium Package added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. The NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser an overall safety rating of four stars, with five-star ratings in the side-impact crash test and a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave the Land Cruiser mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.