2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding visual presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, standing tall at 74.2 inches. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with three paint options, including the new Eminent White Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs, with flared fenders adding to its chunky motif. The interior, however, was marred by an abundance of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal, though it did feature heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced a classic, boxy design with a flat roof, reminiscent of its iconic predecessors. Each of its three trims featured heritage details, such as the "TOYOTA" grille and round headlights, paying homage to past models. The Land Cruiser's modern updates included LED lighting and color-selectable fog lights on higher trims. Inside, the base trim offered cloth seats, while the top-tier First Edition boasted real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The cabin emphasized comfort with cushy seats and attractive contrast stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain ahead.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. Its 6,500-pound towing capacity was respectable, though it lagged behind some competitors. Fuel economy was a downside, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight contributed to predictable but controllable body roll, and its driving dynamics were improved despite its age. The Torsen limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD system, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case, provided versatility. The Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, and its automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and center-locking differentials, and push-button disconnect for the front sway bar enhanced its off-road prowess. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings and operated silently, improving its off-road performance.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, featuring only USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which some drivers preferred over touchscreens, though the abundance of buttons required familiarization. The second row provided comfort with captain's chairs and good legroom, but the third row was cramped and best suited for emergencies. The side-hinged trunk door was cumbersome, and cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, being a two-row vehicle, offered headroom of 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back, with legroom measuring 33.0 inches front and 26.7 inches rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, and hard controls for climate and media were conveniently placed. The cargo area featured a raised load floor with a rubber mat, offering 37.5 cubic feet of space. A 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports were available in higher trims, enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. However, the graphics lagged behind newer Lexus models. The GX included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and a CD player, but its tech offerings were overshadowed by its off-road capabilities. The GX featured a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for improved on- and off-road performance.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on higher trims, made the 12.3-inch touchscreen invaluable for off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim featured an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but its platform-mates, like the 2024 Tundra, received high safety ratings. The Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.