Toyota Land Cruiser vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to the year it first hit the US market. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, offering a nostalgic look but lacking some modern amenities. The more upscale Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, boasted a modern design, a wider color palette, and a more luxurious interior with larger screens. It also included essential off-roading features and offered a Premium Package with leather and advanced tech. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the total cost to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capability, with a traditional two-box SUV shape and dark gray cladding. Inside, it featured utilitarian switchgear, dual 12.3-inch screens, and Java-colored leather, providing a blend of traditional and modern elements.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid introduced a new design for its sixth-generation model, presenting a more cohesive yet conventional look. It resembled a compact Ford Explorer, with a rugged appearance enhanced by black plastic elements. The hybrid version mirrored its non-hybrid sibling, with subtle badges and an optional contrasting black roof on the top Touring trim. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard and a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard plastics and soft-touch materials, with the rear seats designed for durability. The front seats offered ample cushioning and support, with ventilation in the top trim. While some felt the Forester lost some personality, it gained broader appeal.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the higher trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed a disappointing 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to maneuver both on and off the trail. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing 194 horsepower. It utilized an AWD system with a traditional driveshaft, promising better traction off-road. Acceleration was adequate, though the hybrid transmission made it feel slower than it was. The engine emitted a monotone groan at higher speeds, noticeable mainly during aggressive driving. The hybrid system functioned smoothly, with consistent braking feel. The Forester Hybrid handled predictably on twisty roads, though body roll discouraged sporty driving. Ride quality was firmer than expected, with larger wheels contributing to some passenger jostling. Off-road, the Forester Hybrid excelled with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, offering a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered SofTex artificial leather in the higher trim, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. Front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unobstructed forward view, thanks to thin front roof pillars. The front seats offered ample space and an open feel, while the rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness. Storage included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets, though the charging pad's hard surface allowed phones to slide. Rear passengers had USB ports and air vents but no separate temperature controls. The Forester Hybrid offered 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience. An optional digital rearview mirror maintained visibility when the cargo area was full.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with 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 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, built-in navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Starlink system was praised for its user-friendly interface, with large buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. Physical buttons allowed for no-look temperature adjustments, though some functions required more attention. The X-Mode off-road menu was accessible via the touchscreen, with external camera views aiding off-road navigation. Higher trims featured an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. It also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. Additional features included a road sign reader, automatic high beams, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover rating.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for a four-star rollover rating. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Rear automatic braking and a driver attention monitor were also standard. The systems functioned smoothly, with the option to disable audible lane-keep assist warnings.