2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs Lexus GX / Boxy Brawl

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser is a well-rounded, premium SUV on its own, but the Lexus GX seems to do almost everything better on paper. So let's drive both to see how they stack up against one another in the real world.
Other vehicles to consider include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Land Rover Defender, Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler (I guess?), Ineos Grenadier and the Toyota 4Runner.
Land Cruiser 1958 Review
• The Cheapest Toyota La...
Land Cruiser Review
• The 2025 Toyota Land C...
Lexus GX Review
Coming soon
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00:00 The Basics
00:51 Land Cruiser Drive
03:40 Off-road Stuff
04:35 Land Cruiser Interior
05:38 Style/Exterior
06:19 Pricing
06:55 GX Interior
08:49 GX Drive
11:39 Reliability
13:21 Final Thoughts

[@bladerunner3417]

As a single guy, I don’t need a third row seat. I prefer the look and color combinations of the Land Cruiser, (1st Ed.) not to mention the heritage even if in name only. Coming from a 4Runner Limited, everything just seems slightly better. I love it.

[@nyurkt24]

Great comparison video for those in the market for either vehicle… top notch as always

[@Lunixed]

The video I didn't know I needed. Thank you!

[@genzigzag]

I quite like the 1958 Landcruiser, it would be nice if Toyota offered more colour options.

[@gallardo360]

I'm move convinced now to make a purchase, GX550 premium plus hear I come . white with tan interior 👌

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

Lexus is always the answer... love to see a LX700h with e-kdss... that'd be nice... also the approach angle stuff is getting old 😢

[@noctilucent7396]

I know dog but it doesn't say land cruiser on it G, I want my McCruiser over the McLexusCruiserwithFries

[@bradcolby3624]

I completely agree with the GX being the one to buy

[@samkochevar983]

I think the Land Cruiser is one of the best looking vehicles I’ve ever seen, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford one haha. Dream car for sure

[@ryanpatterson9526]

Someone has been working out! 💪

[@AUav8r05]

I drove both same day went in wanting the LC, went away putting down a deposit for a GX overtrail. Lexus is much more refined. The 4cyl although having good power, just felt cheap and unrefined in 70k vehicle.

[@Anomize23]

Toyota has cut back on that quality so much I can’t believe people are paying more than 50k for a such a small vehicle as it is. ONLY 5 passengers 🙈

[@supersoup5509]

Love my new Land Cruiser. Has 8k miles on first edition. Best new ride I have had in years. Great power, quality and tech. Mpg just ok at a,rind 21.5-22 it seems after 8k miles on average

[@WorkInProgress139]

Thanks for the great video! It's amazing how close these compare and how much crossover there is in interest between these two models. I find myself comparing a LC 1958 with GX Premium.

[@fifedizzy4563]

Great video, again! Keep up the good work! ahhhhh, Fall in southern Indiana (or was that Texas as the lic plate says?) Beautiful, either way! But it's snowing here in Indiana when the video came out ;)

[@bruv1211]

that blue on lexus really pops up!

[@MTNorville]

I've seen more this generation of Land Cruiser than I have of any of the other generations combined

[@mwinner101]

I like the 1958’s round headlights. I’d buy that one.

[@Nomikeal]

I think the issue for the Toyota really is the price. The 1958 edition should not be $56k if they sold it at a cheaper starting price of like $48-49k it would give the GX some breathing room. Most LCs would probably be optioned up to be closer to the GX but at least there would be a point to the base LC

[@Chris0-58]

In Kenya we get it with the 2.8L turbo diesel (the 2.7L gas powered variant is available in Japan) if one gets it from the franchise dealer over here. Their base model starts from $135 grand and the model above from $171 grand, both with VAT included, with the exchange rates. They are quite pricey and there are some individuals and state corporations that already had it before it was launched officially. The Lexus GX, well it will get its audience here too given that we didn't get it in previous gens even as gray imports. With that price of the 250 there are mainly two options ; wait for some few more years then import one as a gray import at a slightly lower prices and number 2, the J150 generation is still a good consideration.

[@0HOON0]

The 2.7! 😂 0 to 60 must be 15 seconds

[@Chris0-58]

​​​@@0HOON0it's adequate for most users in towns or urban areas. XD

[@Realistick]

Ouch, that is painful to hear. Some of those import taxes are no joke! A diesel toyota would be kind of fun to have in the US though.

[@legion1630]

are u saying i can buy the 2.7 gas from japan thru a dealer in Kenya?

[@iankay4081]

I wanted a better driving 4Runner and the 1958 fit the ticket. I purchased a 2024 1958 for around $56k, and have been happy with it so far.

[@jtrayforest]

Did you previously have a 4runner? How did it compare?

[@Anomize23]

Sure it drives better because its not a truck anymore. I wouldn’t trade my runner in for that little thing after driving it. The quality has taken a fall and it has a horn from my old little scion XB. NO THANKS ✋😂

[@steph9445]

@@Anomize23its not a truck anymore? Please explain..

[@Anomize23]

@ it’s hard to explain when it doesn’t drive like a truck. You’ll know when you drive it. I’ve driven both and drives like its a CAR. Or should I say a station wagon? It has a horn from a small economy vehicle that has four cylinders. It only holds five passengers shall I keep explaining??? Sometimes you gotta pay a lot of attention to the details. So no, it is not a truck. But they sure have done a great job fooling people into thinking it is while they are slowly deteriorating the space and quality inside.

[@Jay-bw3fl]

@@Anomize23So you don’t like it because it rides and drives better than the 4runner and has a horn you don’t like? Got it. It’s still a body on frame SUV which is what the 4runner is so they are both real SUVS even if you don’t like comfort or the horn. And neither of them have a bed so no neither are trucks.

[@Rain-ox3dp]

I want both of them ❤

[@vinu_s]

Other than the badge, there is no "Land Cruiser" in that vehicle. Its a fair package for $45k but for $70k its an oversell.

[@josephsantangelo2801]

Really like the GX550. But never giving up my LX570. I just put on 18”s and ATs.

[@roberthoyt7921]

Perhaps moving the pricing for the Lexus GX to the $80K-$90K range would help avoid an unnecessary overlap with the new Toyota Land Cruiser 250 which sits at the $55K-$60K range. The Lexus LX would unfortunately end up being moved to the $150K-$200K range.

[@curiosityredpill7030]

Your stupid smh why should the consumer pay more smh 🤦

[@mercboy111]

Well said

[@nzonal]

0:20 No, they are not similar on the price AT ALL, even if I am VERY easy on the options. I am driving a Land Cruiser, and I cannot afford a Lexus GX, period.

[@Realistick]

There's a price overlap. The Land Cruiser shown was the same price as GX shown. If you go with a 1958, different story, but that's in a different league of cheap feeling.

[@wesleydough3757]

the land cruiser would be a great car if dealerships didn't mark them up. Was looking for one and just gave up bc the dealer told us, "yeah I'll mark it up less for you... but still mark it up 6k"

[@jtrayforest]

Give it half a year

[@derekschinke2512]

easy to find non-marked up LCs if you know where to look

[@tommyistommy]

It's an engineering marvel how the LC has 50 more HP and 150 ft/lbs more power and is slower than a 4Runner...and the GX has 25 more HP yet somehow is a second and a half faster to 60. I think about 250 of the "326" ponies are at the party ... I really don't understand putting everything on the same platform, it's a bit redundant. With the LC price levels, the upcoming 4Runner is either going to crush it in sales by being significantly cheaper or they will have 3 products all competing for the same buyers. I don't see how this got greenlit. The LC should not be a hybrid, the 3rd row or more cargo room would be a lot more useful in a LC. It's wild how the upcoming 4runner has the identical powerplant....imagine if the prior gen taco had a 5.7 option

[@Realistick]

I enjoy driving the new Land Cruiser, but I agree, having an LC that's based on the 4Runner but costs ~$10k more is head scratching from a product planning standpoint. I think bringing back the FJ would have been a much smarter move, albeit, a more costly one as the LC Prado already existed.

[@tommyistommy]

@Realistick perhaps the upcoming smaller vehicle teased will be closer to FJ cruiser in size and purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if the LC gets canned in US soon...it almost feels like the hybrid 4 cylinder was supposed to be exclusively for the 4Runner/Tacoma instead of the LC. The GX/LC sharing a TT 3.5 (3.4 according to Lexus LOL) while GX gets a hybrid option would make the most sense. Having the tough styling of the LC with a hybrid system is silly IMO. The last time a brand tried to have 5+ identical products badge engineered, it led to GMs bankruptcy. I don't think bad product planning is going to bankrupt Toyota, it's just puzzling. Kind of like the seats that don't fold flat...every Chevrolet Suburban has had flat folding 2nd row seats since the 70s. Just tons of head scratching decisions all around.

[@noctilucent7396]

you have chosen wisely

[@1GulFF]

Gx has power and better insulation with double glass without issue of batteries getting on fire or higher maintenance when batteries need replacement Gx wins overall

[@043Tarzan]

I prefer the Toyota interior. It’s cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing imo

[@Anomize23]

Driving that LC wasn’t worth more than 50k ill say. Dont know what people are smoking man. It has a horn of a small economy vehicle i used to have. Really hard to take the price tag seriously. Enough for me to know where the quality department has shifted. NOT IN A GOOD WAY. Don’t see anything beneficial when it doesn’t have more than five seats to begin with so you’re cutting back on cylinders, the amount of seating and now you wanna go over 50k with that cheap material used inside? 🤔 Nah, I’ll keep the 4runner for now.

They're both desirable vehicles, no doubt. But it's shocking how poor the build quality is. Tried them both out at a dealership. The LC's thin sheet metal flex is so apparent. The 4cyl while decent feels really unrefined when stretched. The GX on the other hand also surprised me. For a Lexus, the build quality was equally subpar. Uneven panel gaps in the front fender, doors. Same flexing, thin sheet metal for the hood. Literally the hood flexed on the highway test drive. I thought it was probably not shut properly. I've always admired Lexus. But this clearly looks like Toyota cheapening out. I was really hoping to get into one of these when my BMW X3 lease runs out next year. Will have to pass.

[@georgetown8986]

The Land Cruiser and GX550 are a much different vehicle than a little X3. Different price range and different buyers.

@@georgetown8986 pretty lame fanboy response, don't you think? Of course they're different, the X3 is a unibody SAV while both the GX/LC are body on frame. 90% of GX550 buyers wont take it offroad, let's be honest. There will be people cross shopping these with other sub $60K-$80K SUVs like I was. Then again, you completely ignore my observation about the LC/GX pathetic build quality.

[@hnfmr]

what alternatives are there? I am curious to know as well, been cross shopping for a while...lol

@@hnfmr well, you have the Defender, the new Armada, MDX, X5, and even the Tahoe and Yukon. They all start around the $60K give or take a few and go upto $70K and even beyond depending how you spec. A lot of these luxury SUVs will barely see dune bashing or off roading.

[@0HOON0]

Toyota has pushed the pricing to the point where these can be cross shopped against a BMW X5 with the xOffroad Package. (Locking Rear Diff) I still think the Lexus looks cooler but I can't imagine choosing one over an X5.

[@naveenthemachine]

No one would Toyota Lexus ate overpriced duds. They make it an absolute no brainer to choose the better executed competition.

[@mumwifeteacher]

And the x5 has a v8

[@RCFTE]

@@naveenthemachineIn your case it is insignificant because you can not afford either. Typical comment from a dead broke bitter piss pot.

[@0HOON0]

@@mumwifeteacher Well yes, but BMW wants real money for those. The X5s that are price competitive with upper trim Land Cruisers are powered by the Supra engine. The absolutely kick-ass B58.

[@0HOON0]

@@RCFTE I think even rich people are surprised by Toyota truck pricing these days.

[@charlieingrasci8353]

IF YOU ONLY OWN ONE GET THE LC

[@youarerightboss]

V-6 > I-4

[@ignacioproudly7930]

Gx550 over trail 🎉🎉 all day bb

[@mononeo]

There is some bad information in this video, particularly about hybrids. Toyota/Lexus hybrid batteries last longer than the vehicles themselves. They can last 20+ years. My dad was a taxi driver and his Prius had 500,000 miles on the original battery. You know why you don't hear about 2005 Prius needing batteries constantly? Because they don't need them. Beyond that, if you look online you can see already that the Land Cruiser has much worse resale value than the GX 550. GXs are selling over MSRP even used. The Land Cruisers can be had under MSRP even new. This will translate into worse resale in the future as well. The Land Cruiser is slow compared to the GX 550. The GX 550 is as low as 5.9 seconds 0-60 whereas the Land Cruiser is as high as 8.0 seconds 0-60.

[@Realistick]

The number I had came from a Toyota service department. Some go extremely far but there are a lot of variables and I'd rather be conservative as many environments have made those prius batteries questionable after 12-15 years. I'm not looking at resale value of 1 year old models. I'm looking at 5,10 and 15 years. In the past, any Land Cruiser or 4Runner held their value better the GX in the US. Maybe you're in a different place than me.

[@mononeo]

@ I work on Toyota/Lexus hybrids and have sold 1000s of them. I have never ever ever replaced a single battery. Honest to god. They only need to be replaced after a collision or exposure to saltwater.

[@wholeNwon]

Not to worry: Good grammar, diction and syntax distinguished you as a college-educated gentleman (for what it's worth).

[@Realistick]

Thank you. I'm hoping I'll be more enthusiastic about my degree when I finish paying off my loans!🥸

[@wholeNwon]

@@Realistick Hope my having subscribed will help. What is your degree in?

[@Realistick]

@@wholeNwon You help keep me accountable for sure! I have a media degree with a journalism certificate.

[@wholeNwon]

@@Realistick "Accountable"? I spent a large part of my professional career teaching, so there's that. It's hard not to be at least a little (perhaps more than a little) pedantic.But by this stage in life, you're only accountable to yourself. You seem to be doing well. Congrats!

[@KRIPSYNODUTS]

Say no to drugs and turbo.

[@charlieingrasci8353]

I OWN BOTH, LC HYBRID IS AWESOME FOR CITY DRIVING, THE GX IS A WEEKENDER TERRIBLE MPG, TERRIBLE

[@kylebatzer353]

The GX engine isnt the same as the Tundra/LX. One us a 3.4L one a 3.5L. Separate production, separate issuesif any

[@bryanmoyer1359]

Wrong, same engine

[@naveenthemachine]

Both of them are obsolete when compared to the competition. In design, interior, tech, roominess, driving experience etc. A GC is better in every way than either of these

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

jeep GC only has one true 4x4 off road GC4xe trail hawk ,the overland has low range but more luxury car , 20" -22" rims no more off road package 18" rims a trail rated overland , some GC trims have higher payloads than the LC orGX

[@naveenthemachine]

@ you forgot the summit reserve which is also capable and far more luxurious

[@RCFTE]

In your case it does not matter because you are bitter because you can not afford either. Typical bitter dead broke piss pot.

[@Anomize23]

I remember when the grand Cherokee was over 50k and I went with a 4runner that was right under 40k. Here I an 8 years later looking at a small land cruiser that has only five passengers with a four-cylinder and they are charging way over 50k. If I had the money I would go with a grand Cherokee too. There’s no way I’m going back to that small four-cylinder vehicle that has a horn from a car that sounds like an economy vehicle and spending way over 50k. They are smoking some serious stuff to justify the price tag. I love Toyota but I didn’t buy an SUV for economical reasons and then on top of that throwing in materials used on an economy vehicle while at the same time charging double the price. NO THANKS ✋

[@RCFTE]

@ The only people who complain are dead broke piss pots who can not afford one.