Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus RX

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a somewhat polarizing exterior. Its front end was characterized by a large trapezoidal grille, which seemed awkwardly integrated into the bodywork, especially noticeable in lighter colors. The hood's prominent bump added to the bulky appearance, contrasting sharply with the sleeker designs of previous RX models. The sides featured bulging body panels that enveloped the rear fenders, while a swooping chrome accent suggested a floating-roof design, which felt slightly out of place. The rear, however, offered a more cohesive design with a tidy light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX's interior was more conventional and inviting, especially in the Luxury trim with faux suede inserts. The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was a highlight, though the simulated woodgrain on the center console felt less convincing compared to the genuine wood on the steering wheel. Overall, the cabin was well-appointed with premium materials.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV design with a focus on utility and off-road capability. The base 1958 model had a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the more upscale Land Cruiser trim featured modern aesthetics and additional off-roading hardware. The Premium Package added real leather, a sunroof, and other amenities. The interior was utilitarian, with comfortable front seats but less supportive second-row seats. The Land Cruiser's design maximized off-road clearances and visibility, with features like a roof rack and dark gray cladding emphasizing its rugged nature. The cargo space was generous, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items. Overall, the Land Cruiser's design prioritized functionality and off-road prowess.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base RX 350, which featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in both FWD and AWD configurations. The RX 350h hybrid variant delivered 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque through a CVT with standard AWD. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-liter engine with a hybrid system, generating 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 304 hp and an electric-only range of up to 37 miles. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ provided a more responsive driving experience, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The RX prioritized comfort with its soft suspension, though it exhibited noticeable body roll during cornering.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials, offering a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Land Cruiser trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a Multi-Terrain Monitor. On-road, it felt powerful but exhibited significant body roll and nose dive during hard braking. The Land Cruiser was best suited for slow and steady driving, particularly in urban and off-road environments.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample interior space, with comfortable front seats offering plenty of adjustments and standard heating. Ventilation was available on all but the base trim. The cabin featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and versatile cupholders. The rear seats offered good legroom and headroom, with standard rear climate controls and USB ports. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The load floor was slightly higher than competitors, but the power liftgate and optional hands-free operation added convenience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly with the Premium Package, offered comfortable front seats with real leather and a sunroof. However, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner's power-down feature. The cargo area provided 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The high load floor required effort when loading heavy items, but the overall cargo space was generous and well-shaped.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, available in 9.8-inch and 14-inch sizes. The system offered logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. Voice commands allowed for natural interactions, though not as advanced as some competitors. The steering wheel controls were functional, with a head-up display providing button diagrams. The RX included a cloud-based navigation system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and smartphone app connectivity, though connectivity issues were noted. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system delivered excellent audio quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958 model's 7-inch display to dual 12.3-inch screens with the Premium Package. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate directions and responses.

The 2024 Lexus RX received five stars from the NHTSA for overall and side collision protection, with four stars for frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Additional features were available on higher trims, though some systems were overly sensitive.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS features. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert 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.