When it comes to full-size luxury SUVs that offer a combination of performance, off-road capabilities, and luxury features, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX stand as formidable options. Both vehicles are similar in many respects, given that Lexus is Toyota’s luxury vehicle division. However, there are key differences that set these two SUVs apart.
Seating & Cargo Capacity
The key differentiator between the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX lies in their seating arrangements. Although both SUVs come standard with seating for five individuals, the Lexus GX provides the flexibility of an optional third row, allowing for a total of seven passengers. In contrast, the Land Cruiser in the United States is restricted to seating five people across two rows.
In terms of cargo capacity, the 2024 Land Cruiser falls short of the Lexus GX due to the presence of a hybrid battery stored in the rear of the vehicle. This design choice is likely a contributing factor to the absence of third-row seats in the 2024 Land Cruiser.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers – 2 rows | 5 passengers – 2 rows (standard) 7 passengers – 3 rows (trim specific) |
| Cargo Capacity | 21 cu.Ft. | Behind 2nd Seat – 40.2 cu.Ft. Behind 3rd Seat – 10.3 cu.Ft. |
Photo by LEXUS
Appearance
With the re-introduction of the Land Cruiser to the North American market, people may notice that both of these vehicles have been redesigned for the 2024 year models. Their boxy new looks add an air of rugged independence, but they have different approaches to the off-road life that the Land Cruiser has lived for decades. While the Lexus gravitates more toward the high life, the Land Cruiser revels in its love of dirt.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length/Width/Height | 194/84/73 | 197/83/76 (Overtrail) |
Photo by LEXUS
Photo by TOYOTA
Powertrains and capability
2024 sees a power shakeup for the Land Cruiser with the introduction of the hybrid engine, the i-Force Max, which is the same engine as the 2024 Tacoma. It is a full-time 4WD and comes with a standard 2-speed transfer case.
On the other hand, the GX is equipped with the same engine as the Tundra, which makes it a towing monster in the upper models. It is also 4WD but has a 10-speed automatic transmission shifting the gears. The GX is slated to be outfitted with a hybrid in the future.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L I-4 Hybrid Turbo | 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 326 | 349 |
| Torque lb.-ft. | 465 | 479 |
| MPG | 27 – estimate | 17 – estimate |
| Towing Capacity Pounds | 6,000 | 8,000 Premium & Overtrail |
Photo by TOYOTA
Photo by TOYOTA
Tech Features
Among the features that stand out in the chart below, the GX boasts luxurious elements such as a 14.0-inch infotainment screen and a 10-speaker system, available across all trim levels. In contrast, the 2024 Land Cruiser series offers 8.0-inch/12.3-inch screens, depending on the trim level. The LX series seems to outshine the Land Cruiser series in this regard. Nevertheless, the Land Cruiser, in all configurations, includes a Wireless Charging Pad—a feature exclusively bundled with the Premium package in the GX.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Screen | 8.0-inches / 12.3-inches upper trim level | 14.0-inch for all models |
| Speakers | 6 speaker system / 10 speakers in the higher levels / 14 speaker JBL premium package | 10 speaker / 21 speaker Mark Levinson premium package |
| USB-C Ports | 2 front / 2 rear | 4 in 2-row configurations 6 in 3-row configurations |
| Wireless Charging Pad | Yes | Only in the upper trim levels or with the Premium package |
| Heads Up Display | Optional | Optional |
| Digital Rear View Mirror | Optional | Optional |
| Safety Features | Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 | Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 |
Photo by LEXUS
Luxury
When it comes to luxury, the Lexus outdoes the Land Cruiser, but that’s not to say that the Land Cruiser doesn’t have its fair share of luxurious amenities like leather seats and an optional 14-speaker JBL sound system. On the other side, even the carpet is more luxurious in the Lexus, and you can rock out to the 21-speaker Mark Levinson system as you drive. The Lexus is built with noise dampening so you won’t hear any road noises.
Photo by LEXUS
Off-road specs
The differences between 2024 Land Cruiser and the GX are as follows:
Land Cruiser
Locking differential, off-road cruise control (CRAWL), 18-inch tires, and hill descent control. Upper-level trim packages include a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, forward cameras for obstacle sighting, and drive modes for different surfaces like sand, and there will be several upgrades and options that include skid plates, rock sliders, roof racks, and more. Its approach angle is 31 degrees, with a 22-degree departure and 25-degree breakover. The 1958 base model has an approach of 30 degrees.
GX
Torsen limited-slip differential and 4WD are the extent of the off-road standard equipment on the GX. If you move up to the Overtrail trim level, you get the off-road package that includes a locking rear differential, drive modes, CRAWL, interlinked hydraulic suspension, and trail turn assist. It has 18-inch wheels and 33-inch tires, three inches more than the Land Cruiser’s 30-inch tires. The GX has a 26-degree approach, with a departure between 21 and 23 degrees, depending on the trim level. The breakover angles are 23 in the upper-level grades and 24 in the Overtrail model.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheels | 18 inches | 18 inches (Overtrail) 20 inches (Premium) 22 inches (Luxury) |
| Approach | 31 deg. | 26 deg. |
| Departure | 22 deg. | 22 deg. (Overtrail) 23 deg. (Premium) 21 deg. (Luxury) |
| Breakover Angle | 25 deg. | 23 deg. 24 deg. (Overtrail) |
Photo by TOYOTA
Safety Features
In this aspect, 2024 Land Cruiser and GX are almost identical. The Land Cruiser is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, while the GX features Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. Both these driver-assist and active safety suites comes with exactly the same features, including front automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, road sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety Features | Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 | Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 |
Photo by LEXUS
Photo by TOYOTA
Price
Toyota is pricing the 2024 Land Cruiser in the mid-$50,000 range but has not set prices for the other grades: the Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser First Edition, as of February 2024. The consensus among those who watch the markets expects the other two models to be priced into the upper $65,000 range and higher.
Likewise, Lexus priced their upper levels in the $63,000 to $70,000 range but has not released a price tag for their Luxury 4WD model.
Availability
The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2024 Lexus GX are slated to arrive early in 2024.
Photo by TOYOTA
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Lexus GX: Charting the numbers
If you’re wondering about how the numbers work out, here is a breakdown of the essential specs:
Engine and Transmission
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L I-4 Hybrid Turbo | 3.5L V6 Twin Turbo |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 326 | 349 |
| Torque lb.-ft. | 465 | 479 |
Fuel and MPG
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| MPG | 27 – estimate | 17 – estimate |
| Fuel | Gas | Gas |
Dimensions and Measurement
Here are the dimensional differences between the Land Cruiser and the GX:
Exterior Dimensions
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length/Width/Height | 194 | 197 |
| Width | 84 | 83 |
| Height | 73 | 76 – Overtrail model |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 | 112.2 |
| Ground Clearance | 8.3 | TBD |
Interior Space
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus GX 550 | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 rows – 5 passengers | 5 passengers – 2 rows standard 7 passengers – 3 rows –trim specific |
| Cargo Capacity | TBD | TBD |
Photo by TOYOTA
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Lexus GX: Key Differences
Here are the key differences between the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX:
Toyota Land Cruiser
- Hybrid only
- Two rows and 5 passengers
- Standard 8.0-inch infotainment center
- Higher approach angle
- Lower expected starting price
Lexus GX
- Seats 5 or 7 passengers in 2 or 3 rows
- Towing capacity is higher
- Higher horsepower and torque
- Standard 14.0-inch infotainment center.
Until the first Land Cruiser arrives, it’s hard to predict how well these will sell with the diehard Land Cruiser fans, but it’s always nice to see Toyota give the Land Cruiser another parking spot in the North American garages.
