Dashboard Design: A Study on the Intentions of Toyota and Lexus
The dashboard design in any car is one of the elements that reflects the brand’s philosophy. Between Toyota and Lexus, this difference is clearly evident, with each company embodying its own approach through the style used in these details.
Toyota: Functional and Practical Design
Toyota opts for a design based on textured plastic and vertical surfaces that can be easily wiped down. These choices are not just aesthetic but also aim to provide a practical feel suitable for a demanding work environment. The main idea here is that the dashboard should be easy to clean and interact with, making it suitable for those who require clear and direct tools while driving, especially in rugged conditions.
Lexus: Luxurious Design and Comfort
In contrast, Lexus’ philosophy lies in using premium materials such as stitched leather and matte wood, wrapped around soft horizontal curves. This design showcases a focus on comfort and luxury. These surfaces are not only beautiful but also provide a sense of relaxation and exclusivity. Lexus’ design aims to deliver a luxurious experience, reflecting sophistication and elegance in every detail of the car.
The Ultimate Goal: Design and Functional Philosophy
Although Toyota and Lexus share the same engineering badge and DNA, there is a clear distinction in their design philosophy. Toyota leans towards designing rugged cars capable of handling rough terrains, such as the 2025 Land Cruiser, which is designed to be more capable of tackling natural challenges. On the other hand, the Lexus GX 550 is designed to be comfortable and luxurious, making it ideal for comfortable trips away from rough roads.
Interior: A Design that Combines Practicality and Function
Upon entering the new Land Cruiser, it becomes immediately apparent that practicality is the primary factor guiding its design language. Every part of the cabin resonates with this philosophy, as designers aim to create an environment suited for various uses, whether on rugged terrain or for daily life.
Dashboard Design: Functionality without Complexity
The dashboard in the Land Cruiser features sharp angles and edges instead of soft curves, reflecting the focus on practicality and functionality. This design combines durability with the features the driver needs in diverse environments. The placement of buttons is precise, providing an effective tactile response.
Design Details Encouraging Frequent Use
The textured knobs, large buttons, and angular trim pieces are all carefully positioned for easy access and use without the need to look down. These details highlight the focus on providing a straightforward and effortless driving experience, ensuring the driver doesn’t have to focus on unnecessary details while navigating rugged terrain.
Interior Features: From Simplicity to Luxury
The base model of 1958 comes with cloth upholstery and a traditional mechanical design. Higher trims add SofTex or full leather upholstery, electric seats, and a larger 12.3-inch display. Despite the upgrades in higher trims, the core message remains unchanged: the cabin is primarily designed to be functional, rather than for comfort or luxury.
Luxury in the Design of the Lexus GX 550: Details That Speak of Sophistication
When looking at the interior of the Lexus GX 550, the clear difference in design philosophy compared to other vehicles is immediately noticeable. This car does not shout luxury, but whispers it in every corner. Every element inside the vehicle reflects the aim to provide an elegant and comfortable experience without the need for visual grandeur.
Premium Materials: From Leather to Wood
Lexus uses semi-aniline leather to upholster the seats, a type of premium leather that exemplifies comfort and luxury. It doesn’t stop there; the center console is surrounded by open-pore wood, which adds a warm, natural touch to the car. These materials not only reflect luxury but also enhance the sense of comfort and tranquility for the driver and passengers inside the cabin.
The Simple Design of the Dashboard
The dashboard in the Lexus GX 550 moves away from visual clutter, with screens neatly and orderly placed, without any distractions or unnecessary details. The design aims to provide a relaxed driving experience with minimal distractions, allowing the driver to focus on the road.
Ambient Lighting: Soothing Instead of Dazzling
The ambient lighting in the Lexus GX 550 is not merely a decorative element; it aims to soothe the atmosphere inside the cabin. This lighting, with its soft tone, creates a comfortable and serene environment that aligns with the company’s goal of providing a refined and relaxing experience for passengers.
Higher Trim Features: Luxury at Every Level
Higher trims of the Lexus GX 550 offer additional features such as ventilated seats and rich fabrics, further enhancing the level of luxury. The interior of these trims is designed to resemble a luxurious sitting room rather than a traditional cockpit, creating an extraordinary environment with the highest levels of comfort and sophistication.
Toyota: Practical and Rugged Design
Toyota offers its users a practical and clean cockpit that focuses on functionality, enhancing the driving experience on rough terrains. This well-thought-out design reflects the vehicle’s practical direction, emphasizing a straightforward driving experience that ensures both the driver and passengers get the most out of the vehicle’s capabilities.
Engineering Structure: A Workhorse Par Excellence
Looking at the Land Cruiser’s structure, it’s clear that the design focuses on strength and practicality. The vehicle features straight lines and square shoulders, enhancing its ability to handle the toughest terrains. The exposed tow points add a practical touch, highlighting the car’s serious approach to delivering powerful performance in harsh conditions.
Front Lights: A Balance Between Heritage and Modernity
The 1958 Land Cruiser models feature round headlights, which serve as a nod to the rich heritage of the brand. Higher trims, however, are equipped with rectangular headlights, reflecting a more modern and contemporary touch, showcasing the balance between preserving historical identity and continuous design evolution.
Adaptability to Terrain
The Land Cruiser’s high ground clearance makes it ideal for navigating rough terrain. In addition to reducing excess bodywork, which enhances the vehicle’s ability to adapt to various terrains, the wheels—ranging from 18 to 20 inches depending on the model—are fitted with all-terrain tires, making the vehicle ready to handle a variety of conditions and landscapes.
Lexus: A Design That Exudes Luxury
In contrast, Lexus offers a distinguished experience where the vehicle is transformed into a luxurious retreat rather than just a means of transportation. Its focus on luxury and comfort is evident in the interior design, which reflects elegance and sophistication. This design difference between Toyota and Lexus reflects each company’s approach to meeting the needs and desires of a different segment of users.
Exterior Design That Reflects Luxury and Presence
Lexus approaches the design of its vehicle’s exterior in a way that reflects the vehicle’s large dimensions with a touch of refinement and luxury. The LX model stands out with a design that expertly utilizes its large spaces, making it appear more spacious and comfortable.
Distinctive Details: A Strong Presence and Integrated Design
One of the most prominent features of the LX’s exterior design is the high waistline, which adds a touch of strength and robustness, along with the sculpted wheel arches that give the car a dynamic shape. The iconic front grille, which is a signature feature that cannot be mistaken, stands as an unforgettable hallmark of this luxurious model.
Aesthetic Details: The Contrast Between Gloss and Matte Gray
The matte gray accents on the Overtrail model give a look that reflects a sense of strength and presence, moving away from gloss in favor of a more balanced and impactful appearance. On the other hand, the Ultra Luxury model features a design covered in chrome and glossy black, giving it a shiny and polished look, emphasizing its position as a top-tier model without compromise.
Wheel Options: A Statement of Strength and Aesthetics
The wheel options range from 20 inches to 22 inches, depending on the model, filling the front and rear arches and giving the vehicle a strong silhouette and a distinctive street style, making it stand out wherever it goes.
Power, Platform, and Purpose: Performance Reflecting Priorities
Despite the clear differences between the 2025 Land Cruiser and other models, both vehicles share a permanent four-wheel-drive platform, providing them with a solid foundation for performance on all types of terrain. However, their movement differs entirely to align with their distinct priorities.
Land Cruiser Engine: Power and Driving Enjoyment on Rough Terrain
The 2025 Land Cruiser relies on a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid engine that generates 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, enabling the vehicle to handle the toughest environmental conditions. This power is transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission, allowing it to move smoothly and efficiently across various terrains. The Land Cruiser is designed to be the ideal choice for rock crawling, mud, and sand environments.
Specialized Drive Systems: Ensuring a Customized Off-Road Experience
With advanced tools like crawl control, lockable differential gears, and multiple terrain modes, the Land Cruiser offers the driver a tailored and suitable driving experience for various environmental conditions. This clearly illustrates how Toyota has designed the Land Cruiser to be a vehicle fully prepared for mud and rough terrain, making it the perfect choice for adventurers and explorers.
Beyond Power, Platform, and Purpose
The Lexus GX 550 forgoes the hybrid system and opts for a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain is designed to conquer mountain roads and remote areas without delay. The GX does not sacrifice capability for comfort; it delivers both without compromise.
Fuel Efficiency Breakdown
The fuel economy figures reflect the expected differences. The hybrid system in the Land Cruiser targets an overall 23 miles per gallon, while the GX 550 settles around 17 miles per gallon. This is a direct result of its additional weight and greater power output.
Trims and Identity
The Land Cruiser lineup starts with the strong and straightforward 1958 model and progresses to the more technologically advanced version with the available Premium package, including JBL sound, heads-up display, and additional comfort features. Each version maintains the core mission: capability with restraint.
Lexus offers the GX 550 in several trims, including Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and Overtrail. The Overtrail trim focuses on off-road ability with a lockable rear differential and multiple terrain monitoring, while the Luxury trim emphasizes premium features. Both inside and out, this trim strikes a balance between adventure and luxury.
While the Land Cruiser narrows its focus, the GX 550 shines with its versatility.
Design Value in Two Directions
This is not a matter of better or worse, but rather a conversation about priorities. Toyota’s Land Cruiser has a long heritage of off-road expertise within an updated framework. It is focused, deliberate, and designed to be used—every inch has a purpose.
On the other hand, the Lexus GX 550 takes the same foundation and injects it with confidence and comfort. It adds flair and adaptability to a body-on-frame SUV designed for exploration.
