Toyota Land Cruiser vs Toyota RAV4

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, the base model 1958 and the more upscale Land Cruiser. The 1958 trim, named after the year the model 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 but lacking the modern amenities found in the higher trim. The Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, presented a more contemporary and luxurious appearance, with additional color options, a refined interior, and essential off-roading enhancements. The Premium Package further elevated the experience with leather upholstery, advanced technology, and a more sophisticated look.

The Land Cruiser's design emphasized functionality, with a traditional two-box SUV shape that maximized off-road capabilities, visibility, and interior space. The interior was utilitarian yet more refined than the 1958 model, featuring dual 12.3-inch digital screens and intuitive controls. The Java-colored leather added a touch of elegance, while the vehicle's off-road prowess was underscored by features like the optional roof rack and robust suspension. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Land Cruiser offered a comfortable and technologically advanced driving experience, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of tradition and modernity.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 introduced a fresh design with three distinct styles—Core, Rugged, and Sport—across seven trim levels. The new RAV4 adopted a blockier appearance, aligning with Toyota's other SUVs and trucks, while maintaining its signature boxy wheel arches and rear fender bulges. The Core models retained a familiar RAV4 look with a cheese grater-like upper grille and a robot pout lower grille. The Rugged grade, paired with the Woodland trim, featured a boxy design with a skid plate-like lower grille, amber running lights, and standard all-terrain tires, AWD, and a roof rack. The Sport style, inspired by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division, showcased a large mesh grille and a standout rear spoiler.

Inside, the RAV4 boasted a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen available on top trims. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a dashboard shelf and a versatile center console. The RAV4 offered comfortable seating for four, though five passengers would find it a squeeze. The Woodland trim, representing the Rugged style, came with all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The RAV4's design and features made it a versatile and appealing choice for a wide range of drivers.

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 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 towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road features included 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 yielded only 15.7 mpg, partly due to challenging conditions.

The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with a suspension that absorbed rough terrain and city streets alike. It offered a commanding view and easy maneuverability, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. The electric assist motor and turbocharged torque provided a powerful and responsive feel, but acceleration tests revealed modest performance. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor enhancing its prowess.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 featured an improved hybrid system, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors generating 226 horsepower in FWD models. AWD versions added a third motor, increasing output to 236 hp. The electric motor provided quick power off the line, while the four-cylinder engine contributed to overall performance. The RAV4's electronic continuously variable transmission offered smooth transitions, with paddle shifters available on Sport models. The suspension, tuned for comfort, absorbed road imperfections well, though body roll was noticeable in corners.

The RAV4 PHEV, including the new GR Sport model, marked a significant advancement, with the Woodland trim offering standard AWD and increased ground clearance. The Woodland's off-road capabilities were enhanced by all-terrain tires and a surround-view camera system, though its performance was not drastically different from other AWD RAV4 models. The RAV4's EPA ratings were expected to be 44 mpg combined for FWD and AWD models, with the Woodland trim achieving 39 mpg combined due to its design and features.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more refined interior in the higher trim, with SofTex artificial leather replacing cloth upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats provided excellent support, the second-row seats lacked comfort, with limited thigh support and an awkward backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's running boards were helpful for roof access but could hinder entry and exit for taller passengers.

The Land Cruiser's cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet available behind the rear seats and 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the high load floor required effort to load heavy items. The rear window design was less practical than the 4Runner's, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary, reducing storage space.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 maintained the same dimensions as its predecessor, with a 105.9-inch wheelbase and similar interior passenger space. Cargo volume increased slightly, with 37.8 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 70.4 cubic feet with them folded. The hatch opening was large and square, though still challenging for small pets. Toyota optimized interior space with clever storage solutions, including a dashboard shelf and versatile center console.

The RAV4 accommodated four passengers comfortably, though five would find it cramped. The panoramic sunroof reduced headroom slightly, and rear legroom was ample at 37.8 inches. Despite its compact size, the RAV4 offered practical storage features, making it a versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured upgraded technology in the higher trim, with dual 12.3-inch displays replacing the 7-inch driver display and 8-inch touchscreen in the base model. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, offering features like 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 voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate directions and responses to prompts.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an enhanced 10.5-inch touchscreen, with a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen on top trims. The Arene operating system offered improved responsiveness and graphics, with customizable tiles and a versatile Voice Assistant. A built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras, triggered by aggressive driving, and offered customizable settings for recording events.

The RAV4's technology suite provided a modern and user-friendly experience, with features designed to enhance convenience and safety for drivers and passengers.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist offered semi-autonomous highway driving, though performance varied depending on conditions.

Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, 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 five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhancements for improved responsiveness and detection range. It included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, updated lane-departure alert and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with limited hands-free driving, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and an emergency stop system.

The RAV4's safety features aimed to enhance protection and convenience, with a limited hands-free driving system allowing brief autonomous operation on highways. The RAV4's strong safety record was expected to continue, with updates addressing previous shortcomings.