Toyota Land Cruiser vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in four trim levels: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim level exuded style and presence, with even the base SEL trim featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile was enhanced by body-color, heated side mirrors, with higher trims adding power-folding and auto-dimming features. The rear of the Palisade was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and stacks of LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a range of luxurious features as you moved up the trim ladder. The interior design was thoughtfully crafted, offering a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim level boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The higher trim also offered more color options and additional 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, offered more luxury. The Land Cruiser's cabin emphasized function over form, with optional Premium Package features like soft leather upholstery and a center console cool box. Despite its rugged off-roading capabilities, the Land Cruiser exuded quality in its construction and materials.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was a testament to the evolution of hybrid technology, offering a fun-to-drive experience with its 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery. This powertrain produced a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, ensuring the Palisade never lagged in performance. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and next-generation hybrid system contributed to its impressive performance, optimizing power distribution and enhancing handling. Inside the cabin, noise and vibration were kept at bay, thanks to noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp and responsive, although the pedal feel was a bit squishy.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, offered a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser's off-roading capabilities were enhanced by features like center and locking rear differentials, hill-start assist, and Crawl Control. Despite its 5,445-pound weight, the Land Cruiser provided adequate power, although it wasn't particularly quick. On-road, it rode like a truck, absorbing bumps and humps, but the brake pedal was touchy. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, effortlessly navigating challenging terrains.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The second-row legroom was slightly compromised due to the battery's position, but the third row provided decent space with a maximum of 33.6 inches of legroom in the Calligraphy trim. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and multiple USB-C power outlets. It accommodated seven passengers with standard captain's chairs, and an optional second-row bench increased occupancy to eight. The interior was filled with convenient storage solutions, including a center console with a rubberized cargo space.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model featured basic amenities, while the higher trim level offered power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, and heated rear seats. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, with no third-row option. Storage was limited, with a small center console cool box and cupholders that couldn't hold larger bottles. The cargo area offered 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat surface made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came well-equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. It supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a Passenger Talk intercom system. Higher trims added a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. The Palisade introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen in the 1958 model, while the higher trim level offered 12.3-inch displays. The test vehicle included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an Intelligent Assistant that responded well to commands, although it occasionally misinterpreted requests.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on the SEL Premium and higher trims. The Palisade's ADAS tech performed flawlessly during testing, but crash-test ratings were not available at the time.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from the IIHS, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.