2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, tested in Santa Barbara, California, presented a refined yet familiar aesthetic. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch alloy wheels, maintained a subtle elegance, indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterpart save for the badge. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, embodying a sportier persona. Despite its popularity, the RX's design remained somewhat unbalanced, with a front-heavy appearance and a visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist design, featuring a new infotainment system and ambient lighting, with the RX 350h Luxury offering luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance opted for a darker, sportier interior.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its iconic boxy design, paid homage to its heritage with a flat roof and a heritage grille. The J250 model featured round headlights reminiscent of the 20 series and rectangular ones echoing the FJ62, all now LED. The Land Cruiser's design updates included a lowered beltline for better visibility and standard 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available. Inside, the base 1958 trim offered cloth seats, while higher trims boasted SofTex or real leather with unique logos. The cabin emphasized comfort with heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard across trims, and a moonroof and ventilated seats available on higher trims. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, enhancing the vehicle's practicality and comfort.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h and an estimated 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in about 6 seconds, though it consumed 8.6 L/100 km. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, while the RX 350h's lower centre of gravity and electric motor torque provided a secure and efficient drive.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped with the i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain, combined a 2.4-litre 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, with a two-speed transfer case, offered versatility. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on all but base models, operated in 4Hi or 4Lo, enhancing off-road capability. The Land Cruiser's automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and centre-locking differentials provided additional traction, while the new stabilizer-bar disconnect improved articulation off-road. The updated CRAWL control function, with five speed settings, allowed for precise low-speed navigation over challenging terrain.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats in the RX 350h Luxury, featuring premium leather and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard heated and ventilated seats. The hybrids' battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space increased to 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with seats folded, surpassing the previous model but still trailing some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm front and 897 mm rear, and legroom at 838 mm front and 678 mm rear. The centre console housed off-road controls, while the cargo area offered 1,063 litres of space, equipped with a rubber mat and a 120-volt AC outlet. The Premium Package added a centre console cool box, enhancing practicality.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription for full functionality. The Lexus Interface, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offered cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system's single-screen view and reflective display posed challenges. The available head-up display, with touch-sensing control pads, proved problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor, standard above base trim, utilized a 12.3-inch touchscreen for off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for all passengers. Higher trims offered a 14-speaker JBL sound system, head-up display, and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist maintained safe distances and recharged the battery. However, the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction features had limitations, and the driver monitoring system could be obstructed.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, 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-change assist and traffic jam assist, enhancing safety features.