2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was part of Toyota's extensive range of crossovers and SUVs. Built on the TNGA-K platform, this vehicle shared its structural foundations with the regular Highlander, the RAV4, and even the Toyota Sienna. It sported a considerable size, stretching 201.4 inches in length with a wheelbase of 116.1 inches, standing out as longer than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The Grand Highlander’s design, while accommodating a more conservative look compared to the smaller Highlander, also borrowed from rugged vehicle cues. Its blockier design mimicked that of the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot, while a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights drew a resemblance to the off-roading Toyota 4Runner. Exterior conveniences included an 8-inch ground clearance suitable for light off-road paths, although it remained primarily a tarmac vehicle.

Inside the Grand Highlander, Toyota offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The XLE featured Softex synthetic leather, while the upper trims received genuine leather options, with the Platinum offering a Portobello brown upholstery. Comfort was a priority, with standard heated front seats across all trims and additional ventilation in the Limited and Platinum versions. The cabin also showcased Toyota's attention to practicality with multiple USB-C ports and a plethora of cupholders. The improved ingress and egress to the third row via built-in steps were a testament to its thoughtful design, making it a well-regarded option for long road trips.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser emphasized a rugged, nostalgic aesthetic. The boxy shape and flat roof echoed its iconic ancestors, with distinctive design choices like the heritage grille spelling out "TOYOTA" and round headlights on specific trims. These nods to the vehicle's history were paired with modern LED lighting across the board.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Land Cruiser included practical touches like 18-inch alloy wheels standard across all trims and optional 20-inch wheels for the middle grade. The First Edition trim stood out with additional standard off-road gear, enhancing its capability for rugged terrain.

Inside, the Land Cruiser's base 1958 trim came with cloth seating, whereas the middle trim featured SofTex, and the First Edition boasted real leather. Standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel provided comfort, while the Premium Package added features like a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The interior design prioritized driver convenience with easily accessible controls for off-road settings, ensuring that the Land Cruiser’s functionality matched its formidable exterior.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A more fuel-efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid variant offered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with hybrid technology, delivering an impressive 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

The Grand Highlander offered both FWD and AWD, with the Hybrid Max exclusively featuring AWD. It wasn’t built for sports car performance, but the Hybrid Max variant achieved admirable acceleration, hitting zero-to-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Toyota predicted that the standard turbo gas engine would account for the majority of sales, catering to a balance of power and efficiency. While the Grand Highlander’s steering felt somewhat numb, its brakes provided a solid performance, ensuring a comfortable and reliable drive. Driving modes such as Sport, Eco, and Normal further tailored the driving experience to different needs, with extra off-road modes available in AWD versions.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser utilized Toyota’s i-Force MAX hybrid powertrain, integrating a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor. This combination delivered a robust 326 total horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The Multi-Terrain Select system enhanced its off-road prowess, functioning in both 4Hi and 4Lo modes.

The Land Cruiser's inclusion of automatic limiting-slip differentials and push-button disconnects for the front stabilizer bar in the higher trims added to its off-road readiness. The CRAWL control system further facilitated ease over challenging terrain, keeping the vehicle’s movements steady and controlled. These capabilities underscored the Land Cruiser's focus on navigating tough landscapes while maintaining driver comfort.

At 201.4 inches long with a 116.1-inch wheelbase, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered exceptional interior space compared to its primary rivals. Its total cargo capacity reached 97.5 cubic feet, surpassing that of the Kia Telluride. With three rows of seats in use, it provided 20.6 cubic feet of storage, which expanded to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row stowed. Such dimensions made it a strong candidate for families and road-trip enthusiasts seeking versatility and ample cargo room.

The Grand Highlander excelled in passenger comfort, featuring ample head-, leg-, and shoulder room across all rows, ensuring that even third-row passengers enjoyed a comfortable ride. This attention to space and comfort placed it high on the list for practicality and usability.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured a two-row seating arrangement. Front headroom measured 36.1 inches, with 33.0 inches of legroom, while the rear offered 35.3 inches of headroom and 26.7 inches for legroom. The cargo area, accessible via a rear liftgate, provided 37.5 cubic feet of space. Equipped with practical touches like a rubber mat and a 120-volt AC outlet, the Land Cruiser's cargo area catered to rugged use but with less overall capacity than the Grand Highlander.

Though the Land Cruiser prioritized off-road capability and driver convenience with accessible controls for off-road functionalities, its limited cargo capacity and smaller passenger space made it less practical for larger families compared to the Grand Highlander.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard across all trims, with dual-device Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's intelligent assistant responded to voice commands, enabling tasks like adjusting temperatures or changing radio settings. The multimedia software included cloud-based navigation and optional live agent assistance, accessed via a connected-services subscription.

For audio enthusiasts, an 11-speaker JBL stereo system came standard on the Limited and Platinum trims, offering a balanced sound profile. Additional features like streaming audio integration and connections to Apple Music and Amazon Music were available through subscription packages.

For the Land Cruiser, the higher trims included the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system on a 12.3-inch center touchscreen, pivotal for off-road navigation. MTM activated at slow speeds and provided crucial visual feedback when navigating difficult terrain. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, accommodating both front and rear passengers with multiple USB-C ports.

The base 1958 trim featured an 8-inch display and a six-speaker system, while the middle trim could upgrade to the First Edition’s 14-speaker JBL premium system. Premium Package options added advanced features like a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror, enhancing the overall driving experience.

As a brand-new model, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. Nevertheless, it came with an extensive suite of ADAS termed Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, featuring four following-distance settings for enhanced driving flexibility.

Similarly, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it integrated Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as well, which encompassed adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The inclusion of full-speed cruise control provided a modern update over prior versions. The Premium Package on mid and First Edition trims added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist, reflecting Toyota’s commitment to enhanced safety features.