2024 GMC Acadia vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 GMC Acadia was built on a significantly modified version of its predecessor's platform, resulting in a larger and more imposing vehicle. It was 10.6 inches longer and 3.2 inches taller than the 2023 model, with styling that emphasized its increased size. The front end featured a more upright design and a broad grille, reminiscent of GMC's full-size SUVs and trucks, framed by distinctive LED headlights. The wheel arches and door skins had intricate detailing that added definition to the vehicle's bulk, though this was mostly visible in specific lighting conditions. At the rear, quad exhaust tips drew inspiration from the C8 Corvette. The Acadia was available in three trims: the base Elevation, off-road AT4, and luxe Denali, each with unique wheel options and styling features. The interior was redesigned to accommodate larger screens and create a sense of spaciousness, with a panoramic sunroof available to enhance the light-filled cabin. While the Denali trim offered leather seats and a unique stitching pattern, the AT4's interior materials were more appealing, with a rugged look suitable for its off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, was offered in two trims: the base 1958 and the more upscale Land Cruiser. The 1958 trim had a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Land Cruiser trim featured a modern design, more color options, and a nicer interior with larger screens. The Land Cruiser trim also included critical off-roading hardware and software, with a Premium Package available for additional luxury features. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased a Heritage Blue paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the price to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design maximized off-road clearances and visibility, with a utilitarian interior featuring traditional switchgear. The Java-colored leather interior provided a nice contrast, and the dual 12.3-inch screens added a technological edge. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Land Cruiser struggled with handling on twisty roads, but excelled in urban and suburban environments, offering a comfortable and capable ride.

The 2024 GMC Acadia was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter V6 engines, offering more power than both. Despite the absence of a V6 option, the turbo-four engine provided strong and consistent performance, enabling a 5,000-pound towing capacity with an available towing package. However, the engine's coarse note was less appealing, particularly in the high-end Denali trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with front-wheel drive available on Elevation and Denali models, and all-wheel drive standard on the AT4 trim. The AT4 also featured a twin-clutch system for off-road driving, a 1.2-inch ride height lift, special suspension tuning, skid plates, and a Terrain drive mode. While the Acadia AT4 was marketed as the "most capable Acadia AT4 ever," it was more suited for light off-roading. The suspension tuning varied with wheel-and-tire combinations, with the Denali's 22-inch wheels offering a comfortable ride despite some wallowing and bouncing over road undulations.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials enabling a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Land Cruiser trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes, Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with a suspension that absorbed bumps and provided a high driving position for excellent visibility. However, it struggled with handling on twisty roads, with noticeable body roll and rear-end squat during acceleration. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor, providing ample ground clearance and capability for off-road excursions.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's interior was designed to create a sense of spaciousness, with a low dashboard and ample glass. It offered more headroom across all three rows than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Kia Telluride, and Toyota Grand Highlander. The Acadia also provided more first-row legroom, though the Kia and Toyota offered more space in the second and third rows. Cargo space was significantly improved, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. This made the Acadia competitive in terms of cargo space, with an underfloor storage bin and a "presence based" power liftgate for added convenience. Small-item storage was reasonable, though the headlight controls were less intuitive, requiring touchscreen interaction.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery in the base model, with real leather available in the Premium Package. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical, requiring the glass to be flipped up rather than powered down. The center console's cool box was deemed unnecessary, taking up valuable storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a high load floor requiring effort to load heavy items. Maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded was 82.1 cubic feet, offering a practical and spacious area for storage.

The 2024 GMC Acadia featured an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Additional features included wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and USB ports for each row. An 8-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Bose system were available. The infotainment system incorporated Google built-in apps, providing a familiar and user-friendly interface. The instrument cluster offered multiple configurations, though some icons were small and easily overlooked.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958's 7-inch displays to dual 12.3-inch screens with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. This system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2024 GMC Acadia's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. The Acadia also offered a rear-seat reminder and vibrating safety alert seat. Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system, was available as an option on all trims, though its utility was limited outside of highway driving.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, road sign reader, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.