Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus GX

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to the year it first hit the US market. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, all wrapped in one of three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, offering a nostalgic yet cost-effective option for those interested in a classic SUV look. However, the more modern Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, offered a contemporary and upscale appearance with additional color options, a refined interior, and essential off-roading enhancements. The Premium Package further elevated the experience with leather upholstery and advanced technology, bringing the total cost to $71,004 with additional features like a roof rack and larger wheels.

The Land Cruiser's design emphasized functionality, with a traditional two-box SUV shape that maximized off-road capabilities, visibility, and interior space. Its utilitarian interior was enhanced with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, providing a blend of traditional switchgear and modern technology. The steering-wheel controls were notably intuitive, especially when compared to those in a Lexus RX. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Land Cruiser's interior felt worth the investment, offering a comfortable and technologically advanced driving experience.

The 2026 Lexus GX offered a range of trim levels, including the Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The Overtrail model, priced at $77,939, was equipped with rock rails, roof-rack crossbars, a head-up display, and trailering equipment, while the power sunroof was removed to reduce costs. The GX 550 Overtrail stood out with its rugged appearance, featuring gray wheel arch cladding, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, making it ready for any adventure. The Nori Green Pearl color added an outdoorsy touch, complementing the SUV's robust design.

Inside, the Overtrail model featured a utilitarian yet quality-focused cabin with tan artificial leather and olive-green suede trim. The interior design emphasized functionality, with digital driver and infotainment displays providing advanced technology. The GX's boxy design offered a sense of style, with a distinctive Lexus grille and LED headlights. The tall windows and hood blisters improved visibility, while the substantial rear bumper and recessed taillights added to its rugged charm. Despite its utilitarian focus, the GX exuded a sense of quality and capability.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select modes. However, the Land Cruiser's real-world fuel economy fell short of the EPA's 23 mpg estimate, achieving only 15.7 mpg during testing.

Despite its fuel consumption, the Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer. It handled urban and suburban environments well, with a high driving position and excellent visibility. Off-road, it proved capable with features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning and tires. The Land Cruiser's power and responsiveness were somewhat illusory, with acceleration tests revealing modest performance and noticeable ride motions during hard braking and cornering.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550 was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and a locking center differential. The Overtrail model added an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select settings, and a low-speed cruise control system. It rode on 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and had an adaptive variable suspension with a one-inch lift, improving off-road performance with better approach, breakover, and departure angles.

During testing, the GX 550 Overtrail impressed with its off-road capabilities, handling challenging conditions with ease. The adaptive suspension and all-terrain tires provided a comfortable on-road experience, though they were less suited for spirited driving on twisty roads. The twin-turbo V6 offered quick acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, achieving 16.8 mpg on a test route and 16 mpg on a mountainous loop. Despite its fuel consumption, the GX was well-suited for commuting, with excellent visibility and helpful camera systems for parking and maneuvering.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered an upgrade from cloth to SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail featured comfortable power-adjustable front seats with NuLuxe upholstery, heating, and ventilation. The Luxury trim offered real leather and massaging front seats, with optional heated second-row captain’s chairs. The Overtrail model lacked a third-row seat, providing 45.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 90.5 cubic feet. The second-row bench seat was wide but had a low, flat cushion and uncomfortable backrest angle. Storage space was limited, with small door bins and a lack of dashboard storage. The high load height and protruding bumper were practical for roof access but could soil clothing during loading.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected service plans. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate navigation assistance.

The 2026 Lexus GX included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14-inch touchscreen with the Lexus Interface system. While the system was user-friendly, the daytime mode's low contrast was less ideal. The GX offered connected services, including Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, with a cloud-based navigation system and digital assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Overtrail model featured a panoramic-view monitor and multi-terrain monitor, though the view activation button was poorly placed.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 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 2026 Lexus GX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The GX's PDA system was less prone to unnecessary braking, though lane-centering assist required manual correction. At the time of writing, the GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.