Toyota Land Cruiser vs Mazda CX-5

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was a visual standout in its segment, thanks to its evolved Kodo design language, which Mazda referred to as "Wearable Gear." This design gave the CX-5 a sculpted and purposeful appearance, with a Signature Wing grille that seamlessly flowed into new LED headlights. The rear featured more angular lighting, aligning the CX-5 with Mazda's larger models like the CX-70 and CX-90. A new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, contributing to a premium look that belied its price. However, the wheel designs were a letdown, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small on the larger body, and even the 19-inch options lacking the intricate detailing of previous Mazda models. Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, featuring a clean dashboard design, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials used were a step above the competition, with soft-touch surfaces and a two-tone interior option on upper trims. Leather seating on the Premium and Premium Plus trims added to the upscale ambiance, although the presence of hard plastic in certain areas slightly undercut the overall premium feel. The dimensional improvements were significant, with a 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch translating into a more spacious interior, particularly benefiting rear-seat passengers.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The upmarket version also came in a wider range of colors and offered more features and optional upgrades. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 model catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers looking for more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with several options, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasized function over form, with the optional Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. The displays and switchgear were similar to those in the more expensive Lexus GX, giving the Land Cruiser a quality feel. Despite a thin metallic echo when closing doors, the overall construction and materials exuded quality. The Land Cruiser's cabin was comfortable, with ample room for five passengers, although storage was a mixed bag, with the optional center console cool box being notably small. The cargo area offered 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though achieving a flat surface was not possible.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was a mixed bag. It was powered by a carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While these figures were adequate on paper, the engine felt underpowered in practice, especially given the vehicle's weight of 3,856 pounds. The added heft was due to the larger body and standard i-Activ AWD system, but Mazda didn't increase the power to compensate. The 0-60 mph time of 9.6 seconds was the slowest in its segment, and the six-speed automatic transmission lacked the responsiveness of competitors' eight-speed units. The absence of the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine from the previous generation was notable, though Mazda confirmed a hybrid variant for 2027. Despite the powertrain's shortcomings, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering, well-managed body roll, and a sense of agility. Ride quality was firm yet comfortable, and improved insulation reduced road and wind noise. However, the EPA-rated fuel economy of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg was among the lowest in the segment.

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 four-wheel drive, and a 6,000-pound towing capacity were standard. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 23 mpg 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 off-road capabilities, including center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. Ground clearance was 8.7 inches, with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 32, 22, and 23 degrees, respectively. The higher-spec Land Cruiser offered wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and an optional front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Despite its 5,445-pound weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, with impressive torque delivery. Off-road, the Land Cruiser excelled, easily navigating challenging terrain. In daily driving, it rode like a truck but handled urban environments well, though a touchy brake pedal and drivetrain clunk were noted. On highways, wind noise was an issue, but overall, the Land Cruiser was smooth and easy to drive.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's dimensional growth translated into a more spacious interior. The 4.5-inch wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance by 2.3 inches to 33.7 inches, addressing a common criticism of the previous model. A 6'1" test driver found ample space in any seat, and rear headroom was a standout feature at 40.2 inches without the sunroof, the best in its class. Front legroom matched the segment at 41.3 inches, while rear legroom was competitive at 39.1 inches. Cargo space increased to 38 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. Larger door openings and an available hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, trailing competitors like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior offered comfort for up to five passengers, with power-adjustable front seats and artificial leather upholstery in the higher trim. The Premium Package added genuine leather, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. Storage was limited, with a small center console cool box and cupholders unable to accommodate larger bottles. The cargo area provided 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though achieving a flat surface was challenging. The high liftover height, due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement, was a drawback, and the rear window didn't power down like in the 4Runner.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on all trims except the Premium Plus, which had a 15.6-inch unit. The system included Google built-in, offering native Google Maps, the Google Gemini AI voice assistant, and access to the Google Play Store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though its execution was lacking. The absence of a physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added a Bose audio system, SiriusXM, and advanced safety features.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's tech stack included a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen in the 1958 model, with larger 12.3-inch displays in the higher trim. Our test vehicle featured wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a JBL audio system, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display. Five connected service plans were available, with complimentary subscriptions for some. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with data panels. The Intelligent Assistant worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 boasted a comprehensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Premium Plus trim added advanced features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the outgoing model had earned top safety ratings, and expectations were high for the new CX-5.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from IIHS, though some scores were lower.