2024 Lexus RX vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a polarizing exterior with its oversized trapezoidal grille and large air inlets, which seemed awkwardly integrated into the bodywork. This design choice was particularly jarring in lighter colours, and the hood's prominent bump added to the bulky appearance. The side profile continued this theme with bulging body panels and a swooping chrome accent strip that suggested a floating-roof design, though it appeared somewhat out of place. The rear end, however, was more cohesive, featuring a tidy design with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX offered a more conventional and inviting cabin, especially in higher-priced packages with faux suede inserts and a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. Despite some mismatched materials, the interior was largely covered in premium leather and well-grained plastics, providing a sturdy and comfortable environment.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced a more traditional SUV design with a two-box shape that maximized off-road capabilities and visibility. The base 1958 model featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim offered a modern, upscale appearance with more colour options and advanced off-roading features. The interior of the Cruiser trim, especially with the Premium Package, was more refined, featuring Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens. Despite some ergonomic issues, such as the rear window design and limited storage space, the Land Cruiser's interior was utilitarian and comfortable for front-seat occupants. The vehicle's exterior and interior design choices underscored its focus on utility and off-road prowess.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the base RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The RX 350h hybrid version featured a 2.5-litre engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-litre engine with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ offered 304 hp and an estimated electric range of 60 kilometres. While the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered, the RX 450h+ provided a more responsive driving experience, reaching 96 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX prioritized comfort with its soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll during cornering.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time four-wheel-drive system, with electronic locking differentials, enabled a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with additional off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect on the Cruiser trim. Despite an optimistic fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. The vehicle's high ground clearance and off-road features made it a capable adventurer, while its powerful and responsive performance was aided by the electric assist motor.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample front-seat space with standard heating and ventilation, though a massage function was absent. The interior featured a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and versatile cupholders. Rear seats offered good legroom and visibility, with standard rear climate controls and USB ports. The RX's cargo space was 838 litres, expandable to 1,308 litres with folded seats, though the load floor was higher than competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package included real leather and a power sunroof. Front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support. The rear window design limited airflow, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Lexus RX's redesigned infotainment system featured a touchscreen, with sizes ranging from 9.8 to 14 inches. The system offered natural speech commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel controls were functional but required initial activation. A cloud-based navigation system was available, though connectivity issues were noted. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. Four connected service plans were available, including a cloud-based navigation system and digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless charger, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned high safety ratings, with five stars from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. Some features were overly sensitive, but most could be adjusted or disabled.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with some issues noted in adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist performance.