Toyota Land Cruiser vs Subaru Ascent

The 2024 Subaru Ascent continued to struggle with its styling, as the design changes from the previous year introduced some controversial elements. The vehicle retained its Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $34,395 to $48,695, excluding the destination charge. The Touring trim, which was tested, included a panoramic sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a camera-based rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera. The interior materials were of good quality, but the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more modern and upscale appearance, especially in the Land Cruiser trim, which was preferred over the base 1958 model. The Land Cruiser trim featured a more refined interior with larger screens and critical off-roading hardware. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's utilitarian interior was enhanced with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, providing a technologically advanced feel. Despite its traditional two-box SUV design, the Land Cruiser maximized off-road capabilities and offered a purposeful look.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 pound-feet of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel-drive system with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds, although the Base trim was limited to 2,000 pounds. The SUV excelled in various driving conditions, from city streets to off-road trails, and handled speed humps and rutted terrain with ease. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight, suspension, and tires. Fuel economy was another downside, with the Ascent achieving 16.7 mpg in the city and 18.6 mpg overall during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser could tow up to 6,000 pounds and included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, but its handling on twisty roads was limited by its tires and suspension. The SUV's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Touring trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy loading of children and cargo. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but legroom was slightly limited. The third-row seat was suitable for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. Cargo space was generous, with up to 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially in the Land Cruiser trim, featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a maximum of 82.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. However, the high load floor required extra effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims offered additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation system, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The system included physical buttons and knobs for common functions, but the display washed out in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. The Touring trim included a surround-view camera and a camera-based rearview mirror.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in the Land Cruiser trim, upgraded to two 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The Ascent received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, the lane-centering assist technology was criticized for its performance during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system also offered adaptive cruise control, road sign reader, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal-impact tests, five stars in side-impact tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating.