Are you ready to head out on the trails but want to bring all your friends with you? The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX are rugged, boxy, and capable of tackling almost anything you put in front of them. It doesn’t take much scrutiny to see that these two beasts are closely related, but even with several similarities, they have some notable differences. Check out what separates the Land Cruiser from the GX before making your choice.
Hybrid or Gas? Which Do You Prefer?
One of the most significant differences between the Land Cruiser and the GX is the powertrain. The Land Cruiser is now a hybrid. It comes equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max, which has a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor. They combine to put out an impressive 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque.
The GX packs a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 under its hood. It puts out 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. If you plan on towing anything with your SUV, the GX can pull up to 8,000 pounds, while the Toyota maxes out at 6,000 pounds.
Looking and Playing the Part of an Off-Roader
Both the Land Cruiser and the GX upgraded their off-road capabilities in their new generations, and while both have the equipment to make an off-road adventure worth taking, the Land Cruiser has a better list of standard equipment. It has a locking rear differential, off-road cruise control, and 30-inch tires. You can bump up to a higher trim if you want a camera that will give you a view of what type of obstacles are up ahead on the trail.
The GX has a limited-slip differential and four-wheel drive for standard equipment. If you want extra off-road goodies, you’ll have to go with the GX Overtrail trim. This adds a bunch of equipment for off-road fun, including off-road terrain driving modes, trail turn assist, and off-road cruise control. It also has 33-inch tires to help you make your way over rough terrain.
All the Techy Things
While the Land Cruiser has more off-road equipment, the GX has it beat when it comes to tech. Every GX has a 14-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital information screen in front of the driver. You’ll find USB-C ports sprinkled throughout the cabin, and if you have the higher-end model it will have a wireless charging pad.
The Land Cruiser starts out with a 7-inch touchscreen. You’ll have to bump up a few levels to get to the 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch gauge cluster. Once you’re there, you’ll also get an upgraded 10-speaker stereo. The good news is every Land Cruiser has wireless charging and USB-C ports in both the front and the back rows. If you want some extra techy goodies, check out the Premium package. It comes with a head-up display, 14-speaker JBL stereo, and even a digital rearview camera
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Daniel Malone