A Key Make Or Break Feature That Separates The Toyota Land Cruiser From The Lexus GX

The Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX have always shared a lot of similarities. If you wanted an off-roader with Toyota durability and capability, along with luxury and sumptuous comfort, whether you’re going through the forest or the river, then you would go for the Lexus GX. Both vehicles have made a mark among SUV fans, and thus both models have a strong following in the automotive industry.

It’s also noteworthy that both the new GX and new Land Cruiser hark back to their roots as true blue off-roaders. The boxy styling and aggressive off-road design cues are an aesthetic indicator of what these vehicles are all about. Oddly enough, however, the latest models do have one major difference that seems baffling from a development standpoint. In fact, it’s enough to separate the buying demographic of the two off-road SUVs in interesting ways.

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The Critical Feature That Separates The Two SUVs

Whenever you purchase a typical midsize SUV, you expect it to be able to seat seven people. After all, at that size, there’s enough room for a third row, even if it’s going to be only big enough for kids. Still, this simple feature increases the functionality of an SUV, but did you know that despite sharing the same fundamental structure and interior packaging, only the Lexus GX has a third row?

Yes, The Land Cruiser Only Seats Five In The United States

Oddly enough, the Toyota Land Cruiser can only seat five people. Even weirder is the fact that since global models do have a third row, the five-seater Land Cruiser for the United States still has the USB ports and third-row aircon vents. Heck, even the second-row seats still have the fold-and-tumble function that gives easy access to the third row that isn’t there.

So yes, all the necessary hardware for the third row is present, which opens up the possibility that Toyota USA will eventually offer the Land Cruiser with an optional third row. As to why that isn’t the case for the United States now, well, scourging across the internet doesn’t reveal any definitive answers. We do think that the reason here is that the Land Cruiser’s positioning might cannibalize sales from the Lexus GX, the larger Sequoia, or even the similarly-sized 4Runner, which does come with a third row. Therefore, this is where the Toyota Land Cruiser falls among the buying demographic.

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With two different but potentially related target markets, there’s more to just the third row that separates the Land Cruiser and the GX. While they share the same TNGA-F platform and, well, basically the same overall shape, there are a number of key differences that also perfectly fit their intended purpose.

Playfulness Versus Formality

From the way the two vehicles look, you can already tell who the Land Cruiser and the GX are for. Starting with the Land Cruiser, the more rugged, retro-inspired looks that seem to be heavily inspired by the Toyota FJ Cruiser. This is complemented by a number of available bold color choices, a selection of two headlight designs, and even an entry-level trim version called the 1958 that’s very basic.

The rugged styling also plays in favor of the Land Cruiser, because compared to the Lexus GX, the Land Cruiser will clear obstacles much better due to how the two vehicles are styled. Here’s a handy chart that illustrates how the two vehicles differ in terms of approach, departure, and break-over angles.

Off-Road Angles Compared

(Source: Lexus, Toyota)

On the other hand, the Lexus GX’s styling is equally boxy, but not what you would consider as retro. The spindle grille, slim LED headlights, and a broad choice of conservative but sophisticated paint choices cater more to those who want an SUV that can still go off-road, but with a style that would probably match their Tumi suitcases.

Even the wheel sizes reflect this, since the GX comes with 18, 20, and 22-inch wheels, while the Land Cruiser only gets 18-inch wheels whatever the trim. Those 18s are fitted in the first-ever Overtrail trim, which comes with blacked-out fender flares, more pronounced silver skid plates, black door handles, and a black contrasting roof. It also comes with 33-inch all-terrain tires which raises the GX’s ground clearance.

Rugged Or Family Friendly

The character of the two vehicles also extends to how the interior was designed. Neither Toyota nor Lexus has not yet revealed the features of each trim level and their nuances, but the interior of the Land Cruiser, while modern, has plenty of hard plastics and offers less tech as standard than the GX.

Lower trims such as the base 1958 come with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch screen whose bezels are filled in by plastic panels–a sign that you couldn’t afford the bigger 12.3-inch infotainment screen and the bundled 12.3-inch digital gauges of the higher trims. There’s also an optional JBL sound system, but the Lexus has a more acoustically pleasing Mark Levison surround sound system.

Speaking of the Lexus, you can pretty much expect the finest materials inside this SUV. A 12.3-inch gauge cluster comes as standard, along with a bigger 14-inch screen for the Lexus Interface infotainment system. As mentioned, this also comes with third-row seating, which, from a usability standpoint, makes this a more family-friendly and more luxurious option at the same time.

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Two Very Different Approaches To The Off-Road SUV Formula

Finally, the two SUVs also differ in terms of engine choices and off-roading features. These differences set the tone for which of the two you should get. That’s because the drivetrain and features that are fitted in these cars do affect how they perform on the road and more importantly, how capable they are when used as intended, i.e. off the pavement.

Also unlike the GX is its standard i-Force Max turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder parallel hybrid powertrain. This drivetrain produces 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, which is coupled with an eight-speed automatic. If this drivetrain sounds familiar to you, that’s because it’s the same one found under the new Tacoma’s hood.

It is still unknown if this is going to be the same hybrid drivetrain that Lexus will fit into the GX’s hood, but nevertheless, the GX and its 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 have the towing advantage as well, since the Land Cruiser can tow up to 6,000 pounds. To help you further digest these details, here’s a handy chart that showcases the drivetrain and feature differences of the two SUVs.

Land Cruiser Vs. Lexus GX Specifications Compared

(Source: Toyota, Lexus)

The GX Is A Better Car For Families

The Lexus GX comes with two powertrains, though only one has been fully detailed. That would be the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6, which produces 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque that’s mated to a ten-speed automatic. This engine is what will hit showrooms first because Lexus also promised a hybrid drivetrain down the line. Lexus is proud to highlight that the GX is able to tow up to 8,000 pounds thanks to this engine, which is more than what you’ll see in a while in the Land Cruiser.

However, while both models come with off-roading features such as a locking center differential and full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), you have to step up to the more rugged Overtrail trim if you want the locking rear differential Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), which electronically disconnects the anti-roll bars for increased wheel articulation, Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Monitor.

The Land Cruiser Is Built For The Dirt

Remember those off-roading features I mentioned in the GX? A higher number of these is standard even in the base 1958, which already gets DAC, Crawl Control, the locking rear differential, and full-time 4WD with a locking center differential as standard.

One notch up the 1958 trim, which is the standard Land Cruiser, gets you MTS, Multi-Terrain Monitor, and Front Stabilizer Bar Disconnect. Unlike the Lexus GX’s E-KDSS, the one in the Land Cruiser has the same intent and purpose but is done manually as opposed to simply pressing a button inside the vehicle.

This Is Its Target Market As A Result

Toyota has not yet revealed the specific prices of each variant, but the company revealed that it will have a starting price of around the mid-$50,000. Lexus has also not yet revealed the prices of the new GX, nor any estimations. The outgoing GX starts in the low $60,000s.

With the Land Cruiser’s features set and amenities, it is targeting those who are looking for an SUV that will be mainly used as an off-road toy–just like the Jeep Wrangler or the Ford Bronco. It will most likely be a second car, while the GX and its standard third-row and more luxurious interior will be more appealing to families and could be a primary car for them as well.