Toyota Land Cruiser vs Ford Explorer

The 2026 Ford Explorer retained much of its previous design, having undergone a facelift in 2025 that gave it a more rugged, truck-like appearance. This design was particularly well-suited for the 2026 Tremor model, which enhanced its off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, a raised ride height, and off-road lights integrated into the grille. The Tremor also featured unique Electric Spice accents, a golden hue reminiscent of Subaru's Wilderness models, adding a distinctive touch to its rugged persona. Despite these enhancements, the Explorer's overall design remained somewhat generic, lacking significant flair in its basic form. Inside, the 2026 model carried over the interior updates from 2025, including a new infotainment system and improved screen integration. However, the interior materials in the Tremor model did not quite match its price point, though Ford offered a range of options from basic cloth seats to luxurious leather upholstery in the Platinum trim.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two distinct versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model was characterized by its round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim featured rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The higher trim also offered a broader color palette and more features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 model catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the upmarket version, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers desiring more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with several options, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasized functionality, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and other comfort features. The cabin shared similarities with the Lexus GX, offering a sense of quality despite a few minor drawbacks, such as a thin metallic echo when closing doors. Overall, the Land Cruiser exuded a sense of durability and capability, suitable for both off-road adventures and urban environments.

The 2026 Ford Explorer maintained its powertrain options, featuring a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Tremor and ST models offered a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard on most trims and all-wheel drive optional, except for the Tremor, which came with AWD as standard. The Explorer's unibody construction, shared with the Mustang and Lincoln Aviator, contributed to its confident handling and comfortable ride, even in the off-road-oriented Tremor model. The twin-turbo V6 provided ample power for passing and towing, while the 10-speed automatic transmission ensured smooth gear changes. Off-road, the Tremor model demonstrated impressive capability, handling challenging trails with ease, though it was more comfortable on highways and sweeping roads.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with 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. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive were standard, along with a 6,000-pound towing capacity. The Land Cruiser's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined, though our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg in hot conditions and 18.1 mpg on mountainous routes. Off-road, the Land Cruiser excelled with features like center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. The higher-spec model offered additional off-road modes and a surround-view camera system. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided adequate power, though the Land Cruiser was not particularly quick. On-road, it offered a rugged ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections, though the brake pedal was somewhat touchy. Overall, the Land Cruiser was a capable off-roader with a comfortable, if somewhat truck-like, on-road demeanor.

The 2026 Ford Explorer accommodated up to seven passengers across three rows, with an option for second-row captain’s chairs reducing capacity to six. While the Explorer offered reasonable space for a midsize crossover, it had slightly less headroom in the third row compared to some competitors. Second-row legroom was also a bit limited, with the Honda Pilot offering more space. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 85.3 cubic feet with the second row down. The Explorer provided ample storage options, including large door pockets and a spacious center console. Towing capacity was up to 5,000 pounds, average for its class.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied by trim, with the 1958 model featuring manual front seats and cloth upholstery, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. The Premium Package added genuine leather and other luxury features. The Land Cruiser seated five comfortably, with no third-row option. Storage was mixed, with a small optional center console cool box and limited cupholder capacity. The power liftgate provided access to 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat load floor made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2026 Ford Explorer featured a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Google Maps, and SiriusXM. USB-C ports were available throughout the cabin, with a six-speaker audio system on the base model and a 10-speaker B&O system on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though climate control icons could be more accessible. The 360-degree camera system was particularly useful off-road, remaining active at higher speeds.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen on the 1958 model, with the higher trim featuring 12.3-inch displays. Our test vehicle included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota Connected Services provided various connected service plans, with the Intelligent Assistant performing well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The infotainment system was straightforward, with customizable digital driver display panels.

The 2026 Ford Explorer came with CoPilot 360+, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added CoPilot 360 2.0, with a 360-degree camera system and predictive speed assist. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving was upgraded to version 1.5, offering automated lane changes. The Explorer received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and more. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs, though it could be overly aggressive. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and mixed ratings from IIHS, with some lower scores for rear-seat protection and headlights.