2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Genesis GV70

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design. It retained certain Genesis styling features like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the gasoline-powered Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels, with 19-inch wheels as standard. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury-car style, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Macan, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port, allowing for convenient charging. The interior was distinctive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique details like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary controller for the infotainment system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic look, maintained a boxy design with a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims carried details harkening back to earlier models, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the base 1958 trim and First Edition, and rectangular headlights on the middle-grade trim. All lighting was LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The two higher trims featured color-selectable fog lights from RIGID Industries. The beltline was lowered for improved visibility, and all models came with 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch wheels available for the middle trim. The First Edition included additional off-roader gear like a roof rack, front skid plate, and mudflaps. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, the middle trim featured SofTex, and the 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 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options. The gasoline version came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 also featured standard AWD, powered by front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. A "Boost Mode" provided 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered vigorous straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match its sporty rivals, feeling bigger and heavier through corners. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash down on bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar dynamics despite weighing more. It featured steering-wheel paddles for adjusting regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving. With an EPA-rated 236-mile range, the Electrified GV70 was a viable alternative to the gasoline model.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, now a hybrid, featured Toyota's i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain. It combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case for high and low range. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on mid-tier and First Edition models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. An automatic limited-slip differential was standard, along with rear- and center-locking differentials. The middle- and top-trim models featured a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, enhancing off-road articulation. The latest version of Toyota's CRAWL control function offered five speed settings for low-speed cruise control over challenging terrain, operating silently. The transmission was unobtrusive, contributing to a smooth off-road experience.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. Second-row legroom was slightly more than the X3 but less than the Q5 and GLC. The GV70 provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi. Folding the rear seats yielded 56.9 cubic feet, less than its German competitors. The Electrified GV70's interior space was minimally impacted by the battery pack, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls were included. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, offered two rows of seating, with no third row available in the U.S. Headroom measured 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back, while legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, with buttons for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and lockers conveniently located. Hard controls for climate and media were placed below the infotainment screen. The wireless charging pad was positioned ahead of the cupholders, and the center console cool box, part of the Premium Package, chilled items quickly. The rear liftgate opened to a cargo area with a raised load floor, equipped with a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet, with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports available in higher trims.

The 2024 Genesis GV70's infotainment system, derived from Hyundai, was simpler than those in the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, accessible to both driver and passenger, with an alternative rotary controller on the center console. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser we tested featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on higher trims, which made the 12.3-inch center touchscreen display useful on the off-road course. MTM activated automatically at low speeds or could be manually engaged. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base 1958 trim had an 8-inch display and six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system or an upgrade to the First Edition's 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for gasoline versions, with the Electrified GV70 receiving the same award as a 2023 model. The NHTSA published four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall safety rating. All GV70 models came with standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitor, parking assist sensors, and Highway Driving Assist. The more advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided some confidence in its safety. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist to the middle trim, with these features standard on the First Edition.