Toyota Land Cruiser vs Chevrolet Traverse

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse was a testament to Chevrolet's knack for crafting visually appealing SUVs, with its exterior styling drawing praise across the board. Inside, the Traverse continued this trend with digital instrumentation and a Google-based infotainment system that offered an attractive layout. However, the quality of materials used in the interior left much to be desired. The hard, glossy plastic and unconvincing Evotex artificial leather detracted from the overall impression, especially given the Traverse's price point. The Z71 trim, which was the off-road version, came with a host of features including Radiant Red paint, a panoramic sunroof, and various driving packages, bringing its MSRP to $55,900.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV design with a focus on off-road capability. The base model, known as the 1958, featured a retro look with basic equipment, while the more modern Land Cruiser trim provided a sophisticated appearance and additional off-roading hardware. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, boasted real leather, a sunroof, and a host of other features, bringing its price to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian interior, the Land Cruiser's Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch screens added a touch of luxury. However, the limited color options and high load floor for cargo were notable drawbacks.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. While the engine provided ample power, its exhaust note was less than pleasing. The Traverse's AWD system allowed for controlled acceleration, and the Z71 trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with a 7.7-inch ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a Twin Clutch AWD system. Despite its size, the Traverse handled trails well, though it felt large on narrow roads. The Z71's tires and suspension provided a smoother ride on rough pavement, and the vehicle achieved an average of 21.5 mpg in combined driving.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time 4WD system and various off-roading features made it a capable vehicle for adventurous drivers. However, the Land Cruiser's handling on twisty roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and a tendency to lean in corners. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg, our test vehicle only achieved 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, with its suspension absorbing bumps and providing a commanding view of the road.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, with ample room for front-seat occupants and an eight-passenger seating capacity. The Z71 trim featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, though the Evotex artificial leather was a downside. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort, but the lack of side window shades was a drawback for families. The third-row seats were comfortable but lacked a view due to the rear window design. The Traverse offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, though folding the third row required adjusting the second row.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather, with the Premium Package adding real leather and a sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less than ideal, and the center console's cool box took up valuable storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in, offering Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to various apps. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The user interface was intuitive, though the lack of a tuning knob was a minor inconvenience. The Traverse also featured an 11-inch digital instrumentation panel with customizable views and a camera-based digital rearview mirror for enhanced visibility.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958 model's smaller displays to dual 12.3-inch screens with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Drive Connect feature offered cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, which performed well in tests. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charging, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Chevy Safety Assist and Safety Package 1 provided additional aids like lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving Package offered Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, and remote-parking technology. The Traverse received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.