
The differences between the Crown Land Cruiser and the Highlander lie in their appearance, configuration, and after-sales service. In terms of appearance: The Crown Land Cruiser features an inverted trapezoid-shaped hexagonal grille with the Crown emblem embedded in the middle, while the lower grille adopts horizontal decorative strips. The new Highlander largely retains the design of the overseas version, with a larger and wider trapezoidal grille, equipped with a winged Toyota emblem in the middle, which complements its muscular body more harmoniously. In terms of configuration: Both the Crown Land Cruiser and the Highlander come in six configurations. The Crown Land Cruiser offers two front-wheel-drive versions and four four-wheel-drive versions, while the Highlander has three front-wheel-drive versions and three four-wheel-drive versions. The premium version of the Crown Land Cruiser adds a 360-degree panoramic camera, double-layer soundproof glass, and a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel compared to the premium version of the Highlander, but lacks a hands-free tailgate. The top-tier Crown Land Cruiser includes an additional double-layer soundproof glass compared to the Highlander. In terms of after-sales service: Both the Crown Land Cruiser and the Highlander are hybrid models. The Crown Land Cruiser offers an 8-year or 200,000-kilometer battery warranty, while the Highlander provides a lifetime battery warranty.

I deeply realized this when helping my relative compare cars for purchase. These two models may seem similar but are actually positioned differently. The Highlander is like a reliable, family-oriented guy, with reasonable space layout and hassle-free maintenance; while the Land Cruiser Prado is more like a quality-conscious gentleman, exuding presence with its exclusive Crown emblem and sporty wheels. The configuration differences are quite crucial: the Prado comes with practical features like a kick-sensing trunk and double-layer soundproof glass, which indeed provide better noise control during long drives. There's also a difference in sales channels, with Crown dealerships offering more exclusive services. Although core components like the engine and transmission are the same, the Prado's suspension is tuned for a sportier feel, delivering crisper vibration absorption over speed bumps. If you have a sufficient budget and value detailed refinement, the Prado will leave you more satisfied.

Recently test drove these two models, the most noticeable difference lies in their styling. The Highlander's exterior is conventional yet appealing to mainstream tastes, while the Crown Kluger's smoked front grille and blade-style wheels give it a noticeably more youthful vibe. Inside, the Kluger features more soft-touch materials and seats with better bolstering for enhanced side support. Despite sharing identical powertrain specs, the Kluger's steering feels more weighted, delivering superior body control during cornering. Worth noting is the Kluger's standard acoustic glass across all trims, which significantly reduces wind noise above 80km/h. For after-sales convenience, the Highlander benefits from GAC Toyota's extensive service network. Choose the Kluger for elevated driving refinement, or opt for the Highlander if hassle-free practicality is the priority.

After studying the specification sheets, the core differences between these two siblings lie in the exterior kits and service systems. The Land Cruiser Crown comes standard with exclusive sporty body kits, featuring a highly recognizable Crown emblem on the front grille and more aggressive taillight design. Functionally, it includes a standard kick-activated power tailgate, which proves extremely convenient when loading bulky items. The sales model is a subtle distinction—the Crown is delivered through independent Crown showrooms with a more upscale after-sales service environment. In terms of chassis tuning, the Crown's spring K-value is increased by 10%, resulting in less body bounce on rough roads. However, the Highlander has a denser maintenance network in third- and fourth-tier cities, with slightly lower basic maintenance costs. Choose the Crown for prestige, or opt for the Highlander for practicality—you can't go wrong either way.


