Toyota Land Cruiser vs Subaru Forester

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, the 1958 and the Land Cruiser. The 1958 model, named after the year the Land Cruiser was first sold in the US, featured a retro design with round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, offering a nostalgic appeal. The more modern Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, boasted a sophisticated look with more color options, a refined interior with larger screens, and essential off-roading hardware. The Premium Package added leather, advanced tech, and a Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint option, bringing the price to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities, with a traditional two-box SUV design, dark gray cladding, and an optional roof rack. Inside, the utilitarian interior featured traditional switchgear, dual 12.3-inch screens, and Java-colored leather, offering a blend of functionality and modern technology.

The 2026 Subaru Forester, redesigned in 2025, introduced a Wilderness model with a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, and anodized copper accents. The Wilderness model's look was distinctive, with extra body cladding and badges, appealing to some while polarizing others. The interior was designed for easy cleanup after adventures, featuring water-resistant artificial leather and all-weather floor mats. The Forester Wilderness offered a comfortable ride with heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and ample rear seat comfort. The cargo space was generous, with 27.5 cubic feet available, expanding to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Subaru's focus on practicality was evident in the Forester's design, maximizing passenger room and cargo space while ensuring excellent outward visibility.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, allowing a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed a lower 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, offering a smooth ride over rough terrain, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, lacking a turbocharged engine, relied on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) kept the engine responsive, aided by a shorter final-drive ratio for better low-speed off-road performance. The Forester's towing capacity increased to 3,500 pounds. Subaru’s Active Torque Split AWD system, with X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings, improved handling on various terrains. The Wilderness model featured 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance to 9.3 inches. Off-road, the Forester Wilderness handled challenging trails, while on pavement, it offered a comfortable and quiet ride. Fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 22.7 mpg during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered an upgrade from cloth to SofTex artificial leather in the Land Cruiser 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 support. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet available, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness emphasized practicality with a classic two-box design, maximizing passenger and cargo space. Heated front seats were comfortable, with the driver’s seat offering 10-way power adjustment. The panoramic sunroof lacked tint, causing solar heating issues. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and safety improvements in seatbelts. Storage improved with a redesigned center console, accommodating larger items. Cargo space was 27.5 cubic feet, expanding to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, aided by the Forester’s boxy design.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured upgraded 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected service plans. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system was effective, providing accurate navigation and control.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Subaru Multimedia Plus software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Wi-Fi hotspot access. The voice recognition system handled simple commands but struggled with complex queries. The Wilderness model featured a 180-degree forward view camera system, though the camera views were distorted.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front cross-traffic alert. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness featured EyeSight, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Emergency Stop Assist. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.