Toyota Land Cruiser vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective updates. The exterior featured redesigned headlights and grille, with a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a rejuvenated appearance without a significant price hike. The test model showcased the new “Pluton Blue” paint, which was particularly striking. Inside, the Seltos introduced two new interior colors, “Gentle Brown” and “Midnight Green,” although the test model retained the standard black interior. The most prominent interior update was the expansive digital panel covering two-thirds of the dashboard, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, reflecting its retro design and basic features. The more modern Land Cruiser trim provided a sophisticated look, additional color options, and enhanced interior features, including larger screens and off-roading capabilities. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, featured Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, elevating its price to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more refined than the 1958 model, with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The base LX trim came standard with all-wheel drive, while the S and EX trims offered front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. The X-Line and SX trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph scenarios, and handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, supporting a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It offered a powerful and responsive driving experience, though acceleration and braking revealed some limitations.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 26.6 cubic feet with them in use. The SX trim offered a hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos featured an upright seating position with ample headroom, ensuring good visibility and rear legroom. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies, while the SX trim added a removable cargo cover.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Premium Package, featured real leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a standard-size power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. 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 required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying by trim. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate settings. The SX trim offered an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

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. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The S trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The SX trim included smart cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change 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.