Toyota Land Cruiser vs Mazda CX-30

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was designed with a distinctive aesthetic that set it apart from typical cars, featuring an abundance of charcoal-colored plastic on its lower body. While some might have found this excessive, the overall design was appealing, with its short overhangs, long hood, and sculpted sides. The interior of the CX-30 was a standout, offering a level of style and refinement comparable to entry-level luxury SUVs. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and the climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV look, especially in its base 1958 model, which featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment. The more upscale Land Cruiser model provided a modern appearance with additional color options and a more luxurious interior. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, boasted real leather seats and a sunroof, enhancing its appeal. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, and the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth acceleration. Despite its power, the CX-30 didn't leap forward aggressively, as the torque arrived at 2,000 rpm, offering a gradual build-up of speed. The six-speed automatic transmission shifted flawlessly, and the standard AWD system ensured power was distributed to all four wheels. However, the fuel economy was a downside, with an observed 21.3 mpg, falling short of the EPA's 25 mpg estimate.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg, the Land Cruiser achieved only 15.7 mpg during testing. The SUV excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, but its handling on twisty roads was less impressive.

Inside the 2024 Mazda CX-30, the design was marked by quality materials and logical controls. The cabin featured gloss black trim, metallic accents, and exposed stitching, with Terracotta leather seats adding a touch of color. While the front seats were comfortable, the rear seats were cramped. The cargo space was flexible, offering 20.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 45.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially with the Premium Package, offered a more luxurious interior with real leather seats and a sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats lacked support. The cargo area provided 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items difficult.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30's turbocharged models featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen's distance from the driver was a drawback. The system included a three-year subscription to Mazda Connected Services and new USB-C ports for connectivity.

In the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, upgrading from the 1958 model brought two 12.3-inch displays with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included a digital assistant and cloud-based navigation. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charger, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. It earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced safety features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the system's performance varied, with some features proving irritating. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.