2024 Land Cruiser Pricing and Fuel Economy: A Better Buy Than a GX?
With similar horsepower and torque figures, superior fuel economy, and a lower price tag than the GX, the 2024 Land Cruiser looks stunning.
Now that Toyota put the pricing and fuel economy details out for the 2024 Land Cruiser, we get to see exactly how it stacks up against its more refined counterpart, the 2024 Lexus GX 550, which we recently drove. On the base end of the spectrum, the price discrepancy spans a gap of just under $7,000 after destination charges. However, throughout the range of the Land Cruiser’s three trim options and the GX’s six offerings, there’s a healthy bit of crossover in pricing.
Ultimately, that begs the question; is the GX worth the extra money or will a decently optioned Land Cruiser satisfy buyers with a slice of savings?
Pricing Breakdown
The 2024 Land Cruiser has a starting MSRP of $55,950. At nearly $10,000 cheaper than the 2024 Lexus GX, it immediately starts to look quite attractive. For reference, here are the trim levels and corresponding prices, including the destination charge:
- Land Cruiser 1958 – $57,345
- Land Cruiser – $63,345
- Land Cruiser First Edition – $76,345
And here are the 2024 Lexus GX trims and prices, including destination charge:
- GX 550 Premium – $64,250
- GX 550 Premium+ – $69,250
- GX 550 Overtrail – $69,250
- GX 550 Luxury – $77,250
- GX 550 Overtrail+ – $77,250
- GX 550 Luxury+ – $81,250
For more exact pricing details, click HERE to build and price a 2024 Land Cruiser. Or head over HERE to build a 2024 GX 550!
Fuel Economy & Towing Showdown
Toyota says the estimated EPA rating for the 2024 Land Cruiser is 21 mpg combined. Seeing an SUV of this size crack into the 20s for an average rating is not common, though, obviously quite welcome. The GX 550 comes in at 17 mpg, which was surprising given that it uses the 10-speed transmission from the Tundra and LX. But it appears that the Land Cruiser’s 2.4L iFORCE MAX 8-speed automatic drive train is more efficient despite relatively similar peak power numbers — 326hp and 465 lb-ft for the Cruiser vs 349 hp and 479 lb-ft for the GX.
However, the one downside to the iFORCE MAX is the total vehicle weight, which affects its max towing potential. With the added heft of its hybrid and battery components, the Land Cruiser is limited to 6,000 pounds (across all three grades). In its lightest form, the GX 550 can tow almost 9,100 lbs, and 7,600 lbs in its heaviest.
2024 Land Cruiser vs 2024 Lexus GX 550
While we still need to drive the 2024 Land Cruiser to deliver a more educated opinion on the matter, its advantages include being —
- More affordable
- Better equipped for off-roading (18-inch wheels & standard locking rear diff on ALL grades)
- Gets better fuel economy
- Delivers similar power numbers to the GX.
The GX, in comparison, is —
- More powerful
- Lighter
- Offers more luxury features and grades (second-row heated seats, etc.)
- Able to tow larger loads
- Offers third-row seating on most models
Which one works for your needs will be up to you, of course. And we see both models being extremely popular. But for a bare-bones, rugged off-roader, that Land Cruiser 1958 is looking like a smokin’ deal even if it lacks the refinements that come with a Lexus. Which one do you like more or do you think is a better buy? Let us know HERE in the forums!
Photos: Toyota, Michael S. Palmer
