Toyota Land Cruiser vs Subaru Forester

The 2026 Subaru Forester continued to build on its reputation for practicality and ruggedness, with the introduction of a redesigned Wilderness model. This version was easily recognizable with its lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, and distinctive anodized copper accents. The Wilderness badges added to its unique identity, making it a standout in the Forester lineup. While the look was polarizing, it seemed to suit the Forester Wilderness better than other Subaru models. Inside, the Forester Wilderness was designed for adventure, featuring water-resistant artificial leather and all-weather floor mats, ensuring easy cleanup after outdoor excursions. Copper accents and Wilderness emblems on the head restraints reinforced its adventurous spirit. Despite the lack of seat ventilation, the interior was practical and comfortable, with a focus on utility and safety.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 and a more upscale trim level. The 1958 model was characterized by its round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim level featured rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The latter also offered a broader color palette and more features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a functional vehicle, while the higher trim level, priced from $64,620, appealed to buyers looking for additional luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with several options, including a Premium Package and a stabilizer bar disconnect system, had an MSRP of $73,740. The Land Cruiser's cabin prioritized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. While not as upscale as its Lexus counterpart, the Land Cruiser exuded quality in its construction and materials, making it a solid choice for those seeking a capable and reliable SUV.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the turbocharged option available in the Outback Wilderness, the Forester's lighter weight partially compensated for the power deficit. During testing in the Portland, Oregon area, the Forester's power was adequate for the conditions, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, offering eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters for manual control. The Wilderness model's shorter final-drive ratio improved low-speed responsiveness, and its towing capacity increased to 3,500 pounds. The Active Torque Split all-wheel-drive system, with X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings, enhanced off-road capability. The Forester Wilderness featured 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. While off-roading, the Forester tackled challenging terrain, though it wasn't as capable as traditional off-road SUVs. On pavement, the Forester offered a comfortable ride and secure handling, though its fuel efficiency fell short of Subaru's estimates, averaging 22.7 mpg during testing.

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 deliver 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive were standard, along with a trailer brake controller and 6,000 pounds of towing capacity. The Land Cruiser's EPA-estimated fuel economy was 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, though our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg during a Southern California heat wave and 18.1 mpg on a mountainous route. The Land Cruiser featured center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control for off-roading. Ground clearance measured 8.7 inches, with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 32, 22, and 23 degrees, respectively. The higher-spec Land Cruiser offered different wheel designs, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided ample torque, though the Land Cruiser wasn't particularly quick. Off-road, it excelled, tackling challenging trails with ease. On-road, the Land Cruiser was mostly agreeable, though it exhibited some drivetrain clunk and a touchy brake pedal. It handled urban environments well, but its off-road focus resulted in a less refined on-road experience.

The 2026 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a classic two-box design maximizing passenger and cargo space. Its tall windows provided excellent visibility, making driving and maneuvering easy. The Forester Wilderness featured comfortable heated front seats, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. However, it lacked a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. A panoramic sunroof was standard, though it lacked tint, causing solar heating. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and safety improvements to the seatbelts. Storage improved with a redesigned center console, accommodating larger water bottles and offering a handy bin for small items. The Forester Wilderness provided 27.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 69.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Its boxy design made the most of the available space, and Subaru offered numerous accessories to enhance its cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied between the 1958 model and the higher trim level. The 1958 featured manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, included genuine leather, memory settings, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser's seats were comfortable, with ample room for five passengers, though a third-row seat was unavailable. Storage was mixed, with a small center console cool box and cupholders unable to accommodate larger bottles. The upper trim level featured a power liftgate, providing access to a 46.2 cubic-foot cargo area. The liftover height was high due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement. Cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet, though the rear seats didn't fold flat, complicating the loading of bulky items.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel as part of an option package, providing access to vehicle data, navigation, and driving assistance system status. It paired with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Subaru Multimedia Plus software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The voice recognition system was functional for simple commands but struggled with complex queries. The infotainment screen was busy and cluttered, making it challenging to find features. The test vehicle included wireless smartphone charging and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. A 180-degree forward view camera system was standard, though its activation button was not obvious, and the camera views were distorted.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology varied between the 1958 model and the higher trim level. The 1958 featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle included wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. Five connected service plans were available, with complimentary subscriptions to Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. The Intelligent Assistant worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The infotainment system was simple and easy to use, though it lacked a home screen with different data panels.

The 2026 Subaru Forester featured EyeSight, a package of camera-based advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. EyeSight also included unusual features like automatic throttle management and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. The Forester Wilderness added active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Automatic Emergency Steering. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection operated with adaptive cruise control, detecting unresponsive drivers and bringing the SUV to a halt. Subaru improved the rear seatbelts for 2026, addressing a previous safety rating issue. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2025 Forester five-star ratings in individual assessments and a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors with automatic low-speed braking. TSS 3.0 also featured adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist with automatic emergency stop capability. Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) added subtle braking and steering inputs for safety. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Premium Package added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA). The NHTSA gave the 2027 Land Cruiser an overall safety rating of four stars, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact crash tests, five-star ratings for side-impact crash tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Land Cruiser mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.