Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to the year it first hit the US market. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, offering a nostalgic look but lacking some modern amenities. The more popular choice was the Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, which boasted a modern, upscale appearance with a wider color palette, a refined interior, and advanced off-roading capabilities. The Premium Package added leather, larger screens, and more tech, elevating the price to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more sophisticated than the 1958, with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its appeal. The SUV's traditional two-box design maximized off-road capabilities and visibility, while the intuitive steering-wheel controls were a notable improvement over those in the Lexus RX.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid aimed for high style with the RX 500h F Sport Performance, though its design was sometimes considered overly flamboyant. The front featured a large, black trapezoidal grille, slim headlights, and air intakes, creating a bold, stylized appearance. The profile was sleek, with flat wheel flares, a rising character line, and a floating roofline that ended in a rear spoiler. It rode on 21-inch wheels, with a full-width taillight and sporty dark trim. Inside, the RX 500h offered Dark Graphite or Rioja Red leather, adding a sporty touch alongside a perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals. The driver was surrounded by digital screens and soft-touch materials, creating a luxurious environment.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, while the higher-end Land Cruiser model added Multi-Terrain Select modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed a disappointing 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to park and maneuver on trails. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Crawl Control, while the electric assist motor and turbocharged torque provided a powerful yet somewhat illusory driving experience.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid matched the power of some luxury crossover-SUV rivals with its 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, achieved through a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system. The engine produced 271 horsepower, with two electric motors contributing the remaining 95 hp. The front motor was positioned between the engine and the six-speed automatic transmission, while the rear motor was part of an eAxle providing AWD. The RX 500h offered a seamless transition from electric to gas propulsion, with a 5.9-second 0-60 mph time. Steering-wheel shift paddles allowed for downshifting, and the transmission provided smooth shifts. The RX 500h featured standard adaptive dampers, rear-axle steering, and a firmer suspension, with larger front brakes and 21-inch wheels. While the RX 500h was firmer, it wasn't significantly sportier, with direct but not overly quick steering and limited grip from the all-season tires. The SUV leaned in turns, and the ride became busy on bumpy roads. A Custom mode allowed drivers to adjust settings, but for a truly sporty experience, other models like the BMW X3 were recommended.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered an upgrade from cloth upholstery to SofTex artificial leather, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. Front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The high load floor height required effort when loading heavy items, though the cargo space was generous at 46.2 cubic feet, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box was deemed unnecessary.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with eight-way power-adjustable sport seats, standard heating and cooling, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats offered good legroom, though fitting three adults was cramped. The RX 500h had 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row up, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was small for the class compared to competitors like the BMW X3.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays in the higher trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, along with a standard head-up display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Lexus Intelligent Assist for voice commands. The touchscreen was responsive, but the steering wheel's touch-sensitive pads were frustrating to use. A three-year Drive Connect subscription provided Google points of interest and real-time traffic information.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, traffic-sign recognition, and emergency steering assist. Standard features included parking sensors, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert, with options for automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The RX received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but a "Poor" rating in the updated moderate front overlap test from the IIHS.