Toyota Land Cruiser vs Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation model, featuring a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights that contributed to an imposing front-end look. The body sides were accentuated with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, giving the impression of a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with features like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added sporty elements such as matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5's interior design was characterized by a mix of lines and curves, with top-notch materials and standard leather seating surfaces. The dashboard and door panels featured a discordant design to accommodate the main touchscreen and bulging doors with haptic controls. The SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim and sportier front seats, though the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to dirt. Despite the sporty intentions, the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, offered two trim levels: the base 1958 model and the more upscale Land Cruiser. The 1958 model featured a retro look with round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, while the Land Cruiser trim boasted a modern, upscale appearance with more color options and a nicer interior. The Land Cruiser trim also included critical off-roading hardware and software, making it the preferred choice for those seeking a more capable SUV. The Premium Package added leather, larger screens, and additional tech features. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capability with a traditional two-box SUV shape, maximizing clearances, visibility, and cargo space. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a Java-colored leather option that added contrast. The dual 12.3-inch digital screens provided a technologically advanced feel, and the steering-wheel controls were intuitive compared to other models.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, offering a choice between a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the SQ5, delivering 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. While the base model's output was competitive for a compact crossover, the SQ5's performance was slightly less powerful than some rivals. The Q5's dual-clutch transmission struggled with quick shifts and exhibited turbo lag, resulting in a gap between pedal input and acceleration. Midrange acceleration was punchier, but the transmission occasionally displayed rough shifts. The air suspension, available on the Q5 Prestige and standard on the SQ5, provided capable handling but lacked sportiness. The Q5 offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

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. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The more expensive Land Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. 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 impressive suspension tuning that absorbed bumps and provided a smooth ride. However, it struggled on twisty roads due to its tires and suspension tuning. The Land Cruiser's high seating position offered excellent visibility, making it easy to park and maneuver on trails. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The standard sliding and reclining second-row bench seat provided flexibility, and the cargo area offered 27.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. This gave the Q5 more cargo space than some rivals but less than others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds exceeded some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery in the Land Cruiser trim, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical than the 4Runner's, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a maximum of 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with the top Prestige trim adding a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system on Premium Plus models. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly interface. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display provided essential information. The Q5 also included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958 model's 7-inch digital driver display and 8-inch touchscreen to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Land Cruiser trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system 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 Drive Connect with 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 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring 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. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high beams, 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.