2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Toyota RAV4

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was a nod to its iconic past with a boxy design and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured elements that paid homage to earlier models, such as the heritage grille and round headlights. The lighting was updated to LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The two higher trims offered color-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. The lowered beltline improved visibility, and the First Edition trim came with additional off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while the middle trim featured SofTex upholstery, and the First Edition boasted real leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated seats. The cabin was comfortable, with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the road ahead.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 aimed for a rugged appearance with its aggressive styling and angular body cladding. The TRD Off-Road model, which we tested, featured a base price of $38,295, with additional options bringing the total to $41,925. The RAV4's interior was practical, with utility-focused features like storage shelves and rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. The RAV4's cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with good legroom and footroom. The cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor. This combination produced a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on mid-tier and First Edition models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. The Land Cruiser also featured an automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and center-locking differentials, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings and operated silently, enhancing the off-road experience.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The TRD Off-Road model came with standard all-wheel drive, off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires. The Multi-Terrain Select system offered various driving modes, but the TRD Off-Road shared the same ground clearance as other RAV4 models. While the off-road suspension improved ride quality on daily commutes, the RAV4 was noisy at freeway speeds. The eight-speed automatic transmission and the engine's dependability were highlights, but the engine sounded loud and unrefined. The TRD Off-Road model's EPA fuel economy rating was 28 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 26.6 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. 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, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently located. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a raised load floor and a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The trunk included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility, with storage shelves, trays, and rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat provided good legroom and footroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system on higher trims, with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim had an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring an 8-inch or available 10.5-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services plans. The system offered cloud-based navigation, a digital voice assistant, and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and some usability issues were noted. The test vehicle had a digital rear-view mirror but lacked the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record provided some confidence in its safety.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist. However, the base LE trim lacked a blind-spot monitoring system. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to Marginal and Acceptable ratings in recent crash tests, highlighting the need for an updated design.