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Toyota's Land Cruiser has always had a more sophisticated and luxurious equivalent in the form of Lexus. The J250 Toyota Land Cruiser is smaller compared to the previous generation and so is its Lexus equivalent. While the Lexus LX is still around, riding on the old platform, it is the Lexus GX that shares a platform with the Land Cruiser now.
In this case, both 4x4 models share Toyota's TNGA-F, body-on-frame platform. As always, the two Japanese SUVs look strikingly identical, making the business of choosing one difficult. But these two behemoths have a few very significant differences, which would make your car purchasing decision easier.
Between the rebirth of the Toyota Stout, the 2025 RAV4 redesign, and the highly-anticipated Toyota FJ Cruiser, there seems to be a Toyota 4x4 for everyone.
Prices for the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser start at $57,345 plus destination charge while the 2024 Lexus GX starts at $64,250 with destination charge. So, what exactly are the differences between the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2024 Lexus GX?
Rugged versus sophisticated
Despite the Lexus GX and Toyota Land Cruiser scoring a similar boxy design, the Land Cruiser scores key features reminiscent of older Land Cruiser generations. The Lexus GX, meanwhile, keeps things more modern, with more contemporary design cues. While all Land Cruisers come with a rugged exterior, you need to upgrade to the Overtrail trim on the Lexus GX to get the rugged exterior bits, including a skid plate and protective trim all around the exterior.
Overtrail is the most capable trim level on the Lexus GX, and it also features a central locking differential and massaging seats with larger side bolsters and more cushioning. Unlike the Land Cruiser, the GX comes with leather seats in all trims, and while I am not knocking on the Land Cruiser's interior, the GX's is more upscale. It also features 8.9 inches of ground clearance, which is 0.2 inches more than the Land Cruiser J250.
Seating capacity
The 2024 Land Cruiser is smaller than its previous iteration and only offers seating for five. On that front, the Lexus GX offers third-row seating, which increases seating capacity to seven. This is despite the fact, both SUVs are identical in size.
More power equals more towing capacity
Toyota's obsession with hybrid four-cylinder engines extended to full-size SUV models like the J250 Land Cruiser. The sole drivetrain option is a 2.4-liter, turbocharged inline-four, i-Force Max hybrid system that offers 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm). Power goes to both wheel axles through an eight-speed automatic.
In terms of towing capacity, the 2024 Land Cruiser J250 can tow up to 6,000 pounds. The J300 Land Cruiser came with powerful V-8 engines and could tow over 7,700 pounds.
Among the most prominent differences between the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2024 Lexus GX is the powertrain. The 2024 Lexus GX packs a 3.4-liter, twin-turbo V-6 that makes a very similar, 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (649 Nm). It's mated to a 10-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels. This combination is good for a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds.
The 2024 Lexus GX has a towing capacity of 8,000 pounds, which far exceeds that of the J250 Land Cruiser. A hybrid variant of the V-6 engine is expected to arrive for the 2025 redesign. It will, likely, make similar power to the hybrid V-6 in the Toyota Tundra.
Fuel economy is one place the Land Cruiser has a significant advantage over the 2024 Lexus GX
The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain in the J250 Land Cruiser allows it to achieve 23 combined MPG according to the EPA cycle. That's 22 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.
Meanwhile, the V-6 engine in the Lexus GX only returns 17 MPG combined (EPA), with 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway.
Looks aside, the differences between the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2024 Lexus GX are quite substantial, and both models are still at the beginning of their production cycle, meaning more changes are on the way.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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