2024 Lexus GX vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a larger and more spacious alternative to its smaller siblings. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the Highlander and RAV4, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. Its substantial size, with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, provided a roomy interior that was ideal for families and road trips. The Grand Highlander's design was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style akin to the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights reminiscent of the 4Runner. Inside, it offered a range of trims with varying levels of luxury, from the Softex synthetic leather in the XLE trim to real leather in the Limited and Platinum trims. The interior was well-appointed, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a spacious centre console, making it a comfortable and practical choice for long journeys.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, embraced a bold new design with geometric styling that set it apart from its predecessor. The spindle grille was less pronounced, and the front fascia featured standard triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's design was more aggressive, with a flat hood and minimal character lines, giving it a robust and utilitarian appearance. Built on the GA-F truck platform, it shared its underpinnings with other Toyota and Lexus models, providing a stiffer chassis for improved stability both on and off-road. The GX was available in a single trim level with five packages, each catering to different preferences, from luxury to off-roading. Inside, the GX combined luxury appointments with utilitarian materials, featuring a large 14-inch touchscreen display and physical controls for off-road features. While it wasn't as lavish as some competitors, the GX was designed for durability and long-term use, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a premium SUV with off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, catering to different preferences for power and efficiency. The base engine was a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder, producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top of the range, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors, generating an impressive 362 horsepower and 400 combined net pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive, and while the Grand Highlander wasn't a sports car, the Hybrid Max offered notable acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander excelled in road manners, though its size made it less maneuverable in tight spaces. The brakes were solid, and the steering, while a bit numb, provided a comfortable driving experience. The vehicle offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX transitioned from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The new powertrain provided more power than its predecessor, with torque available low in the rev range for off-road capability. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX featured a 10-speed automatic transmission that operated smoothly, with full-time four-wheel drive and a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential. The Overtrail packages added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced off-road performance. The GX accelerated well and maintained stability on-road, with effective brakes and minimal body roll. While off-road testing was limited, the GX's design and features suggested it was well-equipped for rugged terrain.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its competitors, offering a spacious interior with a total cargo capacity of 2,761 litres. With seats in position, it provided 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander's interior was designed for comfort, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in every row, making it suitable for adults even in the third row. Its size and design made it an attractive option for families and those needing extra space for road trips.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a more minimalist and sophisticated interior compared to its predecessor, with fewer physical buttons but retaining essential controls. It offered comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the first and second rows, with 1,047 millimetres of legroom in the front and 933 mm in the second row. The third row, available in certain packages, was tight for adults, with 810 mm of legroom. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 292 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,138 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,178 litres. Overtrail models offered even more space, making the GX a practical choice for those needing ample cargo capacity.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. While the system required a connected-services subscription for features like an intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation, it included standard features such as dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. While Toyota's tech offerings had improved, potential buyers were advised to review subscription options carefully.

The 2024 Lexus GX featured a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the dash, with USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad for front-seat passengers. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the Drive Connect subscription service providing an intelligent voice assistant. Remote Connect offered remote locking, unlocking, and vehicle diagnostics with a three-year trial. The GX's audio system included a 10-speaker setup, with higher packages offering a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, subscription costs for certain features were a consideration for long-term ownership.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display, enhancing the vehicle's safety offerings.

The 2024 Lexus GX received significant upgrades in safety features, with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 now standard. This included pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and road-sign recognition. The proactive driving assist feature added further safety by braking as necessary during adaptive cruise control use. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the GX's modern architecture and comprehensive ADAS provided confidence in its safety.