Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus GX

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to the year it first hit the U.S. market. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights and cloth seats, and was available in three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, making it a more affordable option for those interested in the Land Cruiser. However, the more popular choice was the standard Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, which boasted a modern and upscale appearance, a wider range of colors, and a more luxurious interior. This version also included essential off-roading features and offered a Premium Package that added leather and advanced technology.

The Land Cruiser's design was traditional, with a two-box SUV shape that maximized off-road capabilities, visibility, and space for passengers and cargo. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional controls and a more refined feel than the 1958 model. The Java-colored leather provided a nice contrast, and the dual 12.3-inch digital screens added a touch of modernity. The steering-wheel controls were intuitive, especially when compared to those in the Lexus RX. The Land Cruiser's exterior featured a purposeful look, with dark gray cladding emphasizing its utility, and an optional roof rack enhanced its practicality.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, presenting a striking new look compared to its predecessor. The exterior had a boxy, old-school Land Rover vibe, with a bold front fascia highlighted by LED headlights and a well-proportioned grille. The GX 550 Overtrail+ test vehicle featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, a raised ride height, and rock rails, all contributing to its rugged appearance. The interior was clean and elegant, with a luxurious feel, quality switchgear, and a chic design for the dashboard and center console. The seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, and the overall visibility was excellent.

The GX's performance was impressive, with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, allowing for a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The GX felt faster than expected, with strong acceleration and smooth highway merges. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. Despite this, the GX excelled in both on-road and off-road performance, with a capable chassis and adaptive dampers providing a comfortable ride. The Overtrail+ model offered enhanced off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for adventure seekers.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with power distributed through a full-time 4WD system. The Land Cruiser had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and featured standard off-roading aids like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The more expensive Land Cruiser model added Multi-Terrain Select modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature.

Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing revealed a less impressive 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with a suspension that absorbed rough terrain and city streets alike. It offered a commanding view of the road, making it easy to park and maneuver on trails. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Crawl Control. However, the Land Cruiser's handling on twisty roads was less than stellar, with noticeable body roll and suspension tuning that favored comfort over agility.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time 4WD system with a limited-slip center differential and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was robust, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its V8-powered predecessor. The GX felt faster than expected, with strong acceleration and smooth highway merges, although the transmission could be slow to react at times.

The GX's fuel economy was rated at 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded 14.9 mpg. Despite this, the GX offered excellent around-town manners, with quick acceleration and a chassis that felt more athletic than its size suggested. The on-road ride quality was good, with adaptive dampers and all-terrain tires contributing to a comfortable experience. Off-road, the GX excelled, with features like a locking center differential and Multi-Terrain Select modes enhancing its capabilities. The GX's off-road prowess was further demonstrated during testing on challenging trails, where it handled steep and rocky terrain with ease.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more refined interior compared to the 1958 model, with SofTex artificial leather replacing cloth upholstery. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, while the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less than ideal, as it required flipping up the glass rather than powering down into the tailgate. The center console's cool box was also seen as unnecessary, taking up valuable storage space.

Cargo space in the Land Cruiser was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet available behind the second row and 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the high load floor height made loading heavy items a challenge. The Land Cruiser's running boards were helpful for accessing the roof rack but could be an obstacle for taller passengers entering and exiting the vehicle.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a spacious and accommodating interior, with headroom ranging from 39 to 41 inches in the front and around 43 inches in the back. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and nearly 37 inches in the second row, with ample shoulder room for passengers. The GX's cargo space was impressive, with up to 90.5 cubic feet available in the Overtrail trim, which lacked a third row. The GX's towing capacity was 9,063 pounds, making it a versatile choice for adventurers.

Despite its size, the GX was easy to maneuver and park, with a width of 78 inches for Premium and Luxury trims and 79 inches for the Overtrail. The overall length was 197 inches, similar to the Land Rover Defender. The GX's dimensions made it a practical choice for urban environments, with a manageable footprint that allowed for easy parking on tight streets.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a sophisticated infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch displays replacing the smaller screens in the 1958 model. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, offering features like cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant.

The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate directions and responses to commands.

The 2025 Lexus GX's infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen offering clear graphics and smooth operation. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, with seamless pairing. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, an optional upgrade, provided good sound quality, though it required higher volume levels at highway speeds.

The GX offered multiple USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, with Premium and Luxury trims featuring six ports and Overtrail trims having four. The armrest storage included air conditioning, adding convenience for passengers.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities, though performance varied depending on conditions.

Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering adaptive cruise control with Curve Speed Management, lane-centering assistance, road sign assist, lane-departure alert, automatic high-beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. The Overtrail+ model included pedestrian detection as standard. The GX's safety systems were user-friendly and not overly intrusive during testing.

A 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras enhanced visibility, aiding in both on-road and off-road driving. The GX had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it included 10 airbags for occupant protection in the event of a crash.