Toyota Land Cruiser vs Acura RDX

The 2025 Acura RDX, positioned between the smaller ADX and the larger MDX, offered a range of packages such as Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, replacing traditional trim levels. It came standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, with prices ranging from $44,700 to $52,450, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. The A-Spec Advance test vehicle, priced at $56,400, featured a refreshed design with a frameless grille, new wheel designs, and paint colors like Sonic Silver and Urban Gray Pearl. The A-Spec Advance model boasted a sportier look with gloss black accents and a finned rear diffuser, complemented by full leather upholstery and a panoramic glass sunroof. Interior materials included premium leather, simulated suede, and brushed aluminum, though the red-marked gauges on a silver background were harder to read. The True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system was less desirable, but the vehicle had plenty of intuitive controls.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, available in two trims, the base 1958 and the more upscale Land Cruiser, offered a retro look with round headlights and cloth seats in the 1958 model. The Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, featured a modern design, more color options, and a nicer interior with larger screens and off-roading capabilities. The Premium Package added leather, tech upgrades, and a roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $71,004. The SUV's traditional two-box design maximized off-road clearances and visibility, with a ring of dark gray cladding emphasizing its utility. The interior, though utilitarian, was nicer than the 1958 model, with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch screens. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads.

The 2025 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, capable of directing up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with adaptive-damping suspension in the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims. The RDX's performance was lively, though fuel consumption increased with turbocharged torque usage, averaging 19.3 mpg in real-world testing. Despite initial impressions of feeling dated, the RDX's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with crisp steering, authoritative brakes, and a well-matched adaptive damping suspension. However, the lack of a configurable Individual mode and the A-Spec badge's focus on sporty looks rather than performance limited its appeal to driving enthusiasts.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. It produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Land Cruiser model adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. Its high seating position provided excellent visibility, and off-road features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor enhanced its capabilities. However, acceleration and braking produced noticeable ride motions, making a slow and steady approach preferable.

The 2025 Acura RDX, in A-Spec Advance trim, featured 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and heated outboard rear seats. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though drivers with longer legs might desire denser padding on the center console sides. Rear seat comfort was less satisfactory due to a flat bottom cushion and excessive backrest recline angle. Storage space was generous, with oversized cupholders and a wireless charging pad. The power liftgate revealed 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Three underfloor storage compartments and a deep well for loose items added to its practicality. Despite the TTI infotainment system's control touchpad compromising the front center console design, the RDX's interior layout, comfort, and cargo space made it user-friendly for daily routines.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, upgraded from the 1958 model, featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats provided excellent support, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The high load floor height required effort when loading heavy items, though the cargo space was generous at 46.2 cubic feet, expandable to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner's power-down feature, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. Despite these drawbacks, the Land Cruiser's interior offered a comfortable and functional space for passengers and cargo.

The 2025 Acura RDX featured a 10.2-inch display atop the dashboard, controlled by the TTI touchpad on the center console. While the TTI required coordination between the touchpad and display, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa Built-in allowed for voice command use. The infotainment system included a stereo volume knob, radio tuning buttons, and separate climate controls. Additional features included SiriusXM satellite radio, AcuraLink connected services with a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a navigation system with an Acura/ELS Studio premium sound system in higher trims. The test vehicle's audio system boasted 16 speakers, including ceiling-mounted ones.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, upgraded from the 1958 model, featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, including Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Drive Connect. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital camera-based rearview mirror, and digital key technology. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a conversational digital assistant, passing voice recognition evaluations with ease.

The 2025 Acura RDX came standard with AcuraWatch, a comprehensive safety features package. It included forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered low-speed front and rear braking and a surround-view camera system. The RDX's lane-assist systems were often irritating, but adaptive cruise control was more satisfactory. The 2025 RDX earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), equipping the SUV with advanced driving assistance systems. It included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided a semi-autonomous highway driving aid. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist (PDA). The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal-impact tests, five stars in side-impact tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating.