Lexus GX vs. Toyota Land Cruiser: Is Luxury Worth It?

• Toyota’s Land Cruiser is a revival of the brand's iconic model and is equipped as standard with a hybrid powertrain.
• The Lexus GX is built on the same frame as the Land Cruiser, but with a plusher interior and more gas-only power.
• Is the Land Cruiser enough, or is the Lexus GX and all its luxury goodies the one you really want?

Does a hybrid make the Land Cruiser better?

The Land Cruiser is powered by a modern hybrid system, which Toyota does very well. Every Land Cruiser has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a single motor, which bridges the gap often due to turbo lag. However, while the powertrain is smooth and responsive, it's a bit anemic for highway passing.

Lexus' GX sticks to its gas-only roots with a powerful turbo 3.4-liter V6 good for 349 horsepower (23 more horses than the Land Cruiser) and 479 lb-ft of torque. Drivers won't have any trouble accelerating or passing in the GX, and its zero-to-60 time is quicker than the Toyota's as well. Body roll is a bit more than it should be.  

At the pump, the Land Cruiser pulls way ahead with an EPA-estimated combined fuel efficiency rating of 23 mpg. Compare that to 17 mpg combined in the GX, which is on par with a bulky Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Land Cruiser vs. GX: Interior disparity

The Land Cruiser and GX are nearly identical in length and width, but the Toyota wins this battle with more front legroom and equal second-row legroom and a larger standard cargo area than the Lexus includes. Taller middle-seat passengers will be happier in the GX, which holds a whopping 3.8-inch headroom advantage over the Land Cruiser.

Cargo space is comparable between the two SUVs at base level. Upgrading the GX to the Overtrail or Overtrail+ trims costs $15,000 or more to access the most room for gear and luggage. In total, the top GX can swallow 8.4 more cubic feet of cargo than the Land Cruiser.

Cabin luxury is where these two models diverge. Choosing a base Land Cruiser 1958 means a disappointing amount of hard, cheap-feeling plastics, so pick the upgraded version for better materials and features like heated, ventilated and power-adjustable synthetic leather seats. The Premium package adds niceties like a chilled center console to keep beverages cold, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, and more. The GX starts off with plush synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a well-designed cabin.

The Land Cruiser and GX come with plenty of safety tech

A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard in the GX, while the base 1958 Land Cruiser starts you off with a relatively small 8-inch infotainment screen. Upgrading the Toyota brings a 12.3-inch infotainment screen to the party. Both SUVs include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Audiophiles will want to note that the Lexus includes a 10-speaker audio system while an upgrade is required for a similar setup in the Toyota.

Toyota and Lexus are generous when it comes to safety features, and both models include forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning. More sensors and camera upgrades are available as add-ons.

Trims and pricing

Starting at $59,095 (including destination fees), the Land Cruiser comes in two trims: 1958 and Land Cruiser. (A Land Cruiser Land Cruiser? Don't ask us why.) Pricing starts at for the Lexus GX at $67,735 and the total cost ratchets up to $84,200 through its six trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail and Overtrail+.

Toyota does throw in a handy ToyotaCare maintenance plan good for two years or 25,000 miles and is paired with two years of roadside assistance. LexusCare, on the other hand, covers only the first two services in the first year or 10,000 miles; included roadside assistance lasts four years.

Lexus offers better comprehensive warranty coverage — four years or 50,000 miles for the basic warranty, six years or 70,000 miles for the powertrain, and eight years or 100,000 miles of coverage for hybrid components. Plus, wheel alignment and balancing are covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles and the rust-through guarantee is six years or unlimited miles. The Toyota comes with three years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage, five years or 60,000 miles for powertrain, and eight years or 100,000 miles for hybrid components, 10 years and 150,000 miles for the hybrid battery in 10 California emissions-following states, and corrosion perforation guarantee of five years or unlimited miles (whichever comes first).

What does the $8,000-plus price difference get you? The Lexus includes more standard equipment, more available equipment, more power, more premium materials and a better warranty. However, the Toyota has more off-road options and better fuel economy in a good-looking package. Which you choose depends on personal preferences and needs, but the bottom line here is that the Land Cruiser is the better value for the money.