Toyota Land Cruiser vs Dodge Durango

The 2026 Dodge Durango, despite its age, maintained a timeless style with its blend of chunky fenders and smooth body panels. The 2021 refresh updated the grille, lighting, and bumpers, while the interior dashboard received an overhaul. The Durango's signature wraparound LED taillight remained a standout feature, giving it a distinctive look. The America250 package, introduced in 2026, added unique touches like black leather seats with blue perforations and flag graphics. However, the interior showed its age with outdated switches and cheaper plastic materials. Despite this, the Durango's analog controls and logical layout provided a refreshing experience.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic 1958 model and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The Land Cruiser emphasized function over form, with a cabin that prioritized practicality. The Premium Package added luxurious touches like soft leather upholstery and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser's construction exuded quality, although a thin metallic echo when closing doors was noted. Overall, the Land Cruiser provided a comfortable and functional interior, suitable for both off-roading and urban driving.

The 2026 Dodge Durango was predominantly powered by V8 engines, with the 3.6-liter V6 being the standard option on base trims. However, its 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque struggled to move the 5,000-pound vehicle efficiently. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, available on GT and GT Plus models, offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving towing capacity to 8,700 pounds. The SRT Hellcat, with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8, delivered an insane 710 hp, making it a powerhouse on the road. Despite its power, the Durango's steering accuracy was poor, and the ride was stiff, especially on the Hellcat trim.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The Land Cruiser's full-time 4WD and various off-road features ensured it lived up to its rugged reputation. It offered a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and returned an average of 20.3 mpg during testing. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, effortlessly navigating challenging terrains. However, its handling on paved roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and a touchy brake pedal.

The 2026 Dodge Durango offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with a standard second-row bench seat on most trims. The third row was tight, reflecting the Durango's older design. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 85.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior provided good headroom and legroom in the first and second rows, though seat padding was firm.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser accommodated up to five passengers, with no third-row option. The higher trim level offered power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 82.2 cubic feet with them folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat cargo floor made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2026 Dodge Durango came equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Uconnect 5, offering features like navigation, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay. However, it lacked advanced driver-assist features and semi-automated driving functions. The audio system varied by trim, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo available on higher trims.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's higher trim level featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen, along with wireless phone charging and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen. Toyota Connected Services offered various connected service plans, enhancing the vehicle's tech capabilities.

The 2026 Dodge Durango received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It included features like blind-spot monitors and parking sensors, but lacked many modern driver-assist technologies. The dated body structure limited its crash performance compared to newer competitors.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from the IIHS. However, the lane-centering assist was overly intrusive, and the steering was slow, affecting its handling.