Interior Debate: 2024 Land Cruiser vs GX550

[supersix]

The more time I spend checking out the Land Cruiser's interior, the more I find myself preferring it over the GX550. I'm really drawn to its retro features, like the circular side air vents and the physical buttons for climate control, defrosters, and ac & heated seats. The one element that seems off though, is the volume knob.

2024 Land Cruiser Interior

2024 Lexus GX550 Interior

 

[Nuke]

Agreed, I prefer the circular air vents to their crazy shape on the GX. However, I like the larger, closer to rectangular, screen in the GX. Are the driver displays the same size? Good point regarding the physical buttons...

Update! The GX and LC screen (except on the 1958 trim) are the same size, 12.3" diagonally. The GX must look larger as a result of the controls area below...

 

[MJE]

Interesting how the same car can really have such a different look & feel apparently from the pics, with a different dash. I’m looking forward to checking both out in person.

 

[FJ432]

Having the opportunity to sit in the GX550 there wasn't much to hate. Along with the layout it felt cozier than my 2015 GX. The seats felt more secure.

 

[supersix]

So the volume knob on the Prado is located in the center. I sure hope Toyota reconsiders the location on the Land Cruiser before the actual release!

 

[LessFrequent]

Agree on the volume knob. Definitely looks like an after-thought (or was assigned to a 1st year intern to implement)...

 

[Nuke]

Agree on the volume knob. Definitely looks like an after-thought (or was assigned to a 1st year intern to implement)...

Actually, not crazy about the entire controls area design, and how it protrudes beyond the screen. Absolutely subjective, but I prefer the GX550 in this regard. I also feel touch controls will be less likely to fail, albeit possibly not as user friendly, especially when bouncing around off-road.

 

[Wanderlost]

That volume knob is almost a distraction it was intended to mitigate. The volume knob location likely came from ergonomics engineering to mitigate driver distractions. Somebody apparently has some data showing we are more distractible than the rest of the global Land Cruiser market.

 

[lcfanboy]

I agree that the LC interior speaks to me more than the GX. I have always thought the Lexus interiors were 'trying too hard' to look expensive and it ends up looking gimmicky. I highly prefer a refined but classic layout like in the LC.

 

[Wanderlost]

Can anyone confirm the width of these two vehicles are the same? My initial impression was the GX 550 is wider. It appears the body width is around 78 inches.

I passed a full size truck hauling a camper on an older steel bridge in western Washington last week, and I never (ever) remember getting so close to a mass that size moving so fast in the opposite direction.

 

[supersix]

Can anyone confirm the width of these two vehicles are the same? My initial impression was the GX 550 is wider. It appears the body width is around 78 inches.

I passed a full size truck hauling a camper on an older steel bridge in western Washington last week, and I never (ever) remember getting so close to a mass that size moving so fast in the opposite direction.

According to the Lexus GX 550 press release, the overall width of the GX550 (+ mirrors) is 83.22 in

The Toyota press release has the overall width of the Land Cruiser at 84.2"

 

[Wanderlost]

According to the Lexus GX 550 press release, the overall width of the GX550 (+ mirrors) is 83.22 in


View attachment 369

The Toyota press release has the overall width of the Land Cruiser at 84.2"


View attachment 370

Thanks. It looks like the GX 550 could fit in my garage after all. I'm super happy Toyota reduced the width of these models.

 

[2ndTsilent]

So the volume knob on the Prado is located in the center. I sure hope Toyota reconsiders the location on the Land Cruiser before the actual release!

View attachment 352

The random volume knob location on the Land Cruiser photo is weird.

 

[Az🌵Anthony]

I’m most interested in having a moon roof, I don’t think the 1958 has that as an option. Looking forward to this ride~ looks amazing!

 

[LC-120]

It may cost over 10k to get the moon roof. Where I am, for the existing LC150 you need the top trim for the moon roof. It means 17K over the base trim.

I do not think many Lexus customers will switch to LC250.

 

[bdubs]

The more time I spend checking out the Land Cruiser's interior, the more I find myself preferring it over the GX550. I'm really drawn to its retro features, like the circular side air vents and the physical buttons for climate control, defrosters, and ac & heated seats. The one element that seems off though, is the volume knob.

View attachment 348
2024 Land Cruiser Interior

View attachment 349
2024 Lexus GX550 Interior

Is the rearview mirror area the same in both?

 

[Winchester44]

I have the LC250, my neighbor has a GX550 and my wife has a ‘16 GX460

1.in terms of quality of materials it is easily the old GX. Acres of leather, real wood, and any plastic is soft touch. It’s so much higher quality material there is no comparison.

2. GX550 has far more cheap regular plastic everywhere than any Lexus I’ve ever been in, but I do like it. The GX460 looks very dated by comparison. Going back to the old GX you start to ask Like was this a 2006 or a 2016 model? Do like the shift paddles. The screen looks bigger in photos, but it's not in reality.

3. LC 250 interior is for the most part what would should expect from an updated Land Cruiser Prado. I’ve driven these over seas. They are THE practical upmarket 4x4 the world over. It’s designed to do real 4x4 duties with a nicer interior. It’s still what the original Land Rover Discovery was before it became a people mover with airbags. Friends that have been in the LC250 comment on how unique it is and very different than most boring upmarket SUV’s. Friends with Tahoe's and Expedition think its great. I think the closest similar interior design approach you will find is the Land Rover Defender. I would never own one, but do love that interior. Very practical and well thought through. Storage everywhere! Lack of storage and that 70 series esque steering wheel are my major gripes. The vents and the steering wheel are both nods to that and I don't think they were needed.


Size wise, GX550 is exactly the same as LC250 minus the cargo floor. Neighbor and I parked them together and got in both comparing side by side for a half hour. Both have way more wind noise than old GX. Old GX has a buttery smooth drivetrain, but new GX and LC have way more power and much much better brakes and body control. Much more secure driving experience with new GX being less floaty vs LC250.


On note on American auto journalists saying the LC250 is “not a real Land Cruiser” by making comparisons to relative dearth of the luxury vs the prior North American model’s luxury are straight morons. I assure you that in the rest of the world a 70 series, a 250 series and and 300 series are all " real Land Cruisers" . Think of the 70 series as the utility model, the 250 as the half ton and the 300 series as the 3/4 ton. Not every job requires a 3/4 ton HD truck. In no way should the 250 and 70 series be looked at as somehow inferior to the 300. They are built for different roles.
These American journalist idea of the land cruiser is the LX600. Very few people want that car.

I would love the a basic LC300 as it has the bigger tanks, more payload, etc. Maybe it will come back, but the LC 250 can do anything the LC 300 can almost as well especially when the after market tanks come out. 70 Series is very cool, spent a lot of time in them, but they are pure utility and are not a fun daily driver. That is purpose built offroad vehicle. US Govt. will never allow new ones here.

 

[Winchester44]

The random volume knob location on the Land Cruiser photo is weird.

Stylistically odd. Ergonomically great. Recommend the larger aftermarket knob. Actually makes it look a lot better and less of an afterthought look.

 

[supersix]

Stylistically odd. Ergonomically great. Recommend the larger aftermarket knob. Actually makes it look a lot better and less of an afterthought look.

What aftermarket knob did you go with?

 

[Winchester44]

What aftermarket knob did you go with?

https://www.zroverland.com/product-page/land-cruiser-250-billet-volume-knob



It's a mother to get the factory one off. I tried to use all manner of plastic pry sticks, but could not get one under it. Just grip tight and apply increasing pressure until you feel it start to release and it will slowly slide off.

Don' t lose that set screw that comes with the new one!