After a number of folks asked, I wanted to share my thoughts on the differences between an 2014 LX and a 2020 Cruiser. Before I dive into the details, I have grown up in and around Land Cruisers. My folks started my addiction when they purchased a 1999 and I fell in love with Cruisers. That was replaced with a 2004 which they still own (Now at 240k). My experience with the 2UZ platform grew with the purchase of my 2007 4Runner V8 (Now at 200k).
I made the 200 series jump into a 2014 LX for my wife and most recently, I purchased a 2020 Land Cruiser. My folks just bought a 2020 LX - so to say we are loyal Cruiser customers would be an understatement. I wanted to get into another 200 before it was watered down, or sold with a forced induction V6.
All told, we have a combined 750,000 miles in Cruisers and not once have we been left stranded, anywhere. My 4Runner has been all over the country (35+ states) - including up the Alcan and around Alaska. I had the pleasure of driving the LX down the Alcan to the L48 in the dead of winter, at -36F. The trucks were purchased new with the exception of the LX and have meticulous maintenance records.
Suffice to say, my time in the drivers seat and experience across multiple platforms and generations could help those still undecided.
Interior:
I personally think the 2013-2015 LX’s had the best interior of the 200 series. There was enough of the new tech (PCS) that still utilized the tried and true touch screen that I think it was nearly perfect. The 2016+ Lexus infotainment system is an abomination and overall interior styling is over the top in my opinion. The 2020 Cruiser interior is symmetrical, utilitarian, and a great place to be. My one complaint with the Cruiser is the depth of the front seats. The seat in the LX is extremely comfortable since it has thigh extenders and significantly more bolstering.
The interior of the LX is quieter than the LC - but not by much. Wind noise is extremely well managed in both all they way up to 100MPH. The increased level of sound deadening in the LX is noticeable with a slightly lower road/ambient noise level while cruising. You can have a normal conversation in both of them at highway speeds.
The ML stereo in the LX sounds better than the JBL - no surprise there; however, the JBL is no slouch and sounds great with high quality sources.
Toyota and Lexus both have fantastic quality materials inside - even if there is more plastic inside the Cruiser. Both the Cruiser and LX interior look like new after a proper cleaning and detailing.
Exterior:
The 2020 LC styling is closer to that of the 2014 LX than the 16+ LX’s. The Xenon headlights on the LX are equivalent in brightness and reach to the LED’s on the Cruiser. I do appreciate the AFS function on the LX; however, the LC does have the auto-leveling feature.
Handling/Ride:
AHC is a great system, extremely durable, capable, and reliable as proven on here. However, I feel the ride in the LX is too muted for me. I drove a 2020 LX and 2020 Cruiser back to back. The Cruiser handles better due to decreased body roll associated with KDSS, has a firmer more “connected” feeling to the road, and does not wander on the highway like the LX did. The combination of the 21” wheels and sport tires on the LX caused it to dance around the lane at highway speeds. The 2014 exhibits some of those characteristics with the 20” wheels on Michelin tires. In the winter, on the LX, I run 20” Tundra wheels with Nokian Hakka 9 studded tires and there is no wandering which leads me to believe it is a tire issue.
While subjective, I much prefer the handling and ride of the Cruiser than the LX. There is less body roll and less wandering in the Cruiser - that is a fact, even when the LX is in Sport mode. You can drive the Cruiser far more spirited around corners than the LX.
I think the throttle mapping and 6 speed in the LX is configured very well. The truck holds gears when decelerating and coasting around corners. It actually surprises me on a lot of occasions when merging onto the highway and cruising around town that the truck is in the right gear and does not require a downshift. This is better behavior than the 5 speed in the 100 series/4Runner and the 8 speed in the Cruiser which I am still getting accustomed to.
As a prospective buyer considering both, I think it’s important to drive the trucks back to back - which I know can be difficult. They ride very differently, and I personally like the way the Cruiser drives more than the LX. The Cruiser is also far more understated, both with its styling and the fact that it doesn’t have the stigma associated with the Lexus badge.
I hope this information is helpful - please let me know if you have any specific questions.....
At the end of the day - you can’t go wrong in a 200.
I made the 200 series jump into a 2014 LX for my wife and most recently, I purchased a 2020 Land Cruiser. My folks just bought a 2020 LX - so to say we are loyal Cruiser customers would be an understatement. I wanted to get into another 200 before it was watered down, or sold with a forced induction V6.
All told, we have a combined 750,000 miles in Cruisers and not once have we been left stranded, anywhere. My 4Runner has been all over the country (35+ states) - including up the Alcan and around Alaska. I had the pleasure of driving the LX down the Alcan to the L48 in the dead of winter, at -36F. The trucks were purchased new with the exception of the LX and have meticulous maintenance records.
Suffice to say, my time in the drivers seat and experience across multiple platforms and generations could help those still undecided.
Interior:
I personally think the 2013-2015 LX’s had the best interior of the 200 series. There was enough of the new tech (PCS) that still utilized the tried and true touch screen that I think it was nearly perfect. The 2016+ Lexus infotainment system is an abomination and overall interior styling is over the top in my opinion. The 2020 Cruiser interior is symmetrical, utilitarian, and a great place to be. My one complaint with the Cruiser is the depth of the front seats. The seat in the LX is extremely comfortable since it has thigh extenders and significantly more bolstering.
The interior of the LX is quieter than the LC - but not by much. Wind noise is extremely well managed in both all they way up to 100MPH. The increased level of sound deadening in the LX is noticeable with a slightly lower road/ambient noise level while cruising. You can have a normal conversation in both of them at highway speeds.
The ML stereo in the LX sounds better than the JBL - no surprise there; however, the JBL is no slouch and sounds great with high quality sources.
Toyota and Lexus both have fantastic quality materials inside - even if there is more plastic inside the Cruiser. Both the Cruiser and LX interior look like new after a proper cleaning and detailing.
Exterior:
The 2020 LC styling is closer to that of the 2014 LX than the 16+ LX’s. The Xenon headlights on the LX are equivalent in brightness and reach to the LED’s on the Cruiser. I do appreciate the AFS function on the LX; however, the LC does have the auto-leveling feature.
Handling/Ride:
AHC is a great system, extremely durable, capable, and reliable as proven on here. However, I feel the ride in the LX is too muted for me. I drove a 2020 LX and 2020 Cruiser back to back. The Cruiser handles better due to decreased body roll associated with KDSS, has a firmer more “connected” feeling to the road, and does not wander on the highway like the LX did. The combination of the 21” wheels and sport tires on the LX caused it to dance around the lane at highway speeds. The 2014 exhibits some of those characteristics with the 20” wheels on Michelin tires. In the winter, on the LX, I run 20” Tundra wheels with Nokian Hakka 9 studded tires and there is no wandering which leads me to believe it is a tire issue.
While subjective, I much prefer the handling and ride of the Cruiser than the LX. There is less body roll and less wandering in the Cruiser - that is a fact, even when the LX is in Sport mode. You can drive the Cruiser far more spirited around corners than the LX.
I think the throttle mapping and 6 speed in the LX is configured very well. The truck holds gears when decelerating and coasting around corners. It actually surprises me on a lot of occasions when merging onto the highway and cruising around town that the truck is in the right gear and does not require a downshift. This is better behavior than the 5 speed in the 100 series/4Runner and the 8 speed in the Cruiser which I am still getting accustomed to.
As a prospective buyer considering both, I think it’s important to drive the trucks back to back - which I know can be difficult. They ride very differently, and I personally like the way the Cruiser drives more than the LX. The Cruiser is also far more understated, both with its styling and the fact that it doesn’t have the stigma associated with the Lexus badge.
I hope this information is helpful - please let me know if you have any specific questions.....
At the end of the day - you can’t go wrong in a 200.
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