Toyota Land Cruiser vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its signature elegant design, characterized by a steeply angled windshield and rear window, a gently sloping roofline, and large upright body sections with minimal creases. Its pop-out door handles and wide taillight strip added a trendy touch, while the clamshell hood, narrow lights, and small grille contributed to a tall and blunt front end. Unlike many SUVs, the Range Rover Sport appeared narrow and tall, which was advantageous for off-road driving and interior headroom. The SV Carbon variant stood out with its two-tone hood featuring exposed carbon fiber, carbon garnishes, and enormous 23-inch carbon wheels, which were a testament to its performance capabilities. The interior design evolved from the previous generation, but the minimalist aesthetic was perhaps too minimal, with the removal of physical controls in favor of touchscreen interfaces. Despite the prevalence of black plastic, the quality of materials like the seat controls and steering wheel remained top-notch.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 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 higher trim also offered more color options and additional features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a functional vehicle on a budget, while the upmarket version, priced from $64,620, provided more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like two-tone paint, a Premium Package, and off-road enhancements, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasized function over form, with a cabin that wasn't as upscale as its Lexus counterpart but still offered comfort and quality. The displays and switchgear were similar to those in the Lexus, giving the Land Cruiser a premium feel. Despite a few minor issues, the Land Cruiser exuded quality in its construction and materials.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered three powertrains, each with two states of tune, depending on the trim. All gas-only trims featured a mild hybrid system with a small battery and a 48-volt electrical system, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and locking center and rear differentials. The SE trim came with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, while the Dynamic SE added an electric supercharger for 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 32-kilowatt-hour battery pack allowed for up to 53 miles of gas-free driving, with a total output of 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The BMW-built V8 engine, available in the Twenty Edition and Autobiography trims, delivered 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The SV trims boasted a revised BMW V8 with 626 hp, offering tremendous acceleration and precise handling. The base six-cylinder powertrain achieved an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined, while the V8 dropped to 19 mpg combined. The Range Rover Sport's adaptive dampers and air springs provided exceptional off-road capability and handling, with the SV Carbon's handling rivaling high-performance SUVs.

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, full-time 4WD, and a trailer brake controller were standard, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser achieved an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, though our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg during a heat wave and 18.1 mpg on a mountainous route. The Land Cruiser featured center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control for off-roading. The higher-spec version offered wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided adequate power, and the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions. In daily driving, it offered a rugged ride, with some drivetrain clunks and a touchy brake pedal. However, it navigated urban environments with ease, thanks to its boxy dimensions and surround-view cameras.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered ample space for five passengers, with generous legroom and headroom in all outboard positions. The seats were heated and electrically adjustable, with the front row offering 20-way power adjustment, ventilation, and memory. The exterior mirrors provided excellent visibility, and the cargo space behind the rear seats measured 31.9 cubic feet. However, the 53 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded was small for a midsize SUV. The narrow rear door openings were a drawback, but the Range Rover Sport's towing capacity of 7,716 pounds was impressive. The lack of physical controls was a functional issue, as most functions were hidden in the touchscreen, making basic operations cumbersome.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model featured manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery, while the higher trim level offered power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. Our test vehicle's Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, and heated and ventilated rear seats. The Land Cruiser's seats were comfortable, with ample room for five passengers. The cargo area offered 46.2 cubic feet of space, with a high liftover height due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. The cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though achieving a flat surface was challenging. The optional center console cool box was small, and the cupholders couldn't accommodate larger bottles.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.1-inch display with software that made basic functionality difficult but excelled at managing occasional features. The Wade Sensing app detected standing water, while the 4x4i app provided detailed information about the vehicle's systems. The "Body and Soul" seats with vibrating speakers were adjustable through an app. Apple CarPlay and the factory navigation worked well, and the instrument panel offered configurable layouts. The surround-view cameras were clear, and the Meridian Signature stereo provided good sound quality, though not as impressive as the full-size Range Rover's system.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model came with a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle included wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an Intelligent Assistant that worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The system lacked a home screen but allowed for customization through the digital driver display.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and more. However, it lacked front knee airbags, a front central airbag, and rear side airbags. No crash-test ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA were available, but the Euro NCAP gave it a five-star rating.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety, though it could be overly aggressive. The Premium Package added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. The NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser an overall safety rating of four stars, while the IIHS provided mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.