2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned exterior, was a subtle blend of elegance and performance. The RX 350h Luxury model, despite its hybrid nature, maintained a classic appearance, indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterpart except for a discreet badge. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its bold Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, signaling its performance-oriented design. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalist approach, with the RX 350h Luxury featuring luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced its iconic, boxy design, reminiscent of its storied past. The J250 model featured a flat roof and heritage grille, with round and rectangular headlights paying homage to earlier series. The interior of the Land Cruiser was designed for practicality and comfort, with cloth seats in the base trim and leather in the First Edition. The cabin was equipped with heated seats and a heated steering wheel, emphasizing comfort for off-road adventures. The Land Cruiser's design was both a nod to its heritage and a step forward with modern LED lighting and improved visibility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Despite its power, the RX 500h averaged only 20.9 mpg, falling short of its estimated 27 mpg. The RX 350h, however, provided a more balanced experience with better fuel efficiency and a quieter ride.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped with the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain, combined a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-hp electric motor, producing 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, along with the Multi-Terrain Select system, made it a formidable off-road vehicle. The Land Cruiser's ability to disconnect the front sway bar and its updated CRAWL control system enhanced its off-road capabilities, providing a smooth and controlled ride over challenging terrain.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury and eight-way in the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space was improved, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, though still less than some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its two-row seating, provided 36.1 inches of front headroom and 33.0 inches of front legroom. The center console was designed for easy access to off-road controls, and the cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space with a raised load floor. The Land Cruiser's practical design included a rubber mat for easy cleaning and a 120-volt AC outlet for added convenience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new infotainment system with a large touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system required a subscription for full functionality, and its interface had some usability issues, such as reflections and a lack of a tuning knob. The available head-up display added convenience but was hindered by visibility issues with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, was invaluable for off-road navigation. The 12.3-inch touchscreen provided a clear display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The middle trim offered a 10-speaker sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL system in the First Edition.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist added to its safety suite, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, though unrated by IIHS or NHTSA, came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert, enhancing its safety features.