2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a dwindling market of wagons in the United States. It embraced the crossover aesthetic with its robust wheel-arch flares, skid plate-like fascias, and a substantial roof rack, all of which conveyed its off-road capabilities. The test model's Crimson Red Pearl paint complemented its black leather interior, though the Outback arguably looked best in earthy tones. Subaru's focus on off-road enthusiasts paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers. The 2025 model saw no major changes, but the Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and a 360-degree heated steering wheel. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated front seats, enhancing the rugged yet refined interior.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a retro-inspired base model named the 1958, which featured round headlights and basic equipment. The more upscale Land Cruiser trim boasted a modern look, larger screens, and essential off-roading enhancements. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing its price to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more refined than the 1958 model, with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch screens. However, the rear seats lacked comfort, and the high load floor made cargo loading challenging. The Land Cruiser's traditional SUV design maximized off-road capabilities and visibility, making it a capable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed "Boxer" engine available in two forms. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the XT trims benefited from a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a more spirited drive, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode enhanced its off-road capabilities, with the Wilderness model offering even more ground clearance and additional off-road features. On the road, the Outback delivered a smooth and comfortable ride, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 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, enabling a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser's full-time four-wheel-drive system, along with features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, enhanced its off-road prowess. However, the real-world fuel economy fell short of the official EPA ratings, with the test vehicle achieving only 15.7 mpg. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Land Cruiser struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It excelled in urban and suburban environments, offering a comfortable ride and excellent visibility. Off-road features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views further enhanced its capabilities.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof height for loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. It provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with the seat folded, though slightly smaller than some crossovers. The Outback's total passenger volume of 109 cubic feet surpassed its crossover competitors, offering more front headroom and legroom. Buyers were encouraged to test different trims, as the driving experience varied between models. The turbocharged engine option increased towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those with towing needs.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more luxurious interior with the Premium Package, featuring real leather, a power sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite the generous cargo area, the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items. Overall, the Land Cruiser's interior offered a mix of comfort and practicality, though some design choices could be improved.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on most trims. The Harman Kardon audio system performed well, but frequent Starlink disturbances limited audio output. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, appealing to buyers who preferred traditional controls. The inclusion of a CD player and USB-A port catered to those with older devices, though the infotainment system's overall performance could be improved.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered advanced technology with two 12.3-inch displays and the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. It 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, enhancing the vehicle's connectivity and convenience. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. While the system kept the vehicle in its lane, it exhibited more side-to-side movement than desired. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which worked effectively. The DriverFocus system occasionally issued false notifications, but it was preferable to a non-functional system. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, indicating strong safety performance.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, 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 safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong side-impact performance but a lower rollover resistance rating.