Toyota Land Cruiser vs Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, in its third generation, showcased a design evolution influenced by VW's electric lineup. The traditional grille was replaced with an LED lightbar above a faux lower-fascia with a honeycomb design, flanked by large air intakes. The front end was nearly as sealed-off as the all-electric ID.4, with narrow headlights at the corners connected by a chrome strip to the central VW logo. The top SEL R-Line Turbo trim featured an illuminated logo and an LED light bar instead of chrome. At the rear, the honeycomb pattern continued on the bumper, complemented by LED taillights with Volkswagen’s ID.Light signature elements, adding an upscale touch. The Tiguan's wheelbase remained at 109.9 inches, but the front and rear overhangs were shortened, and the d-pillar was more sloped, impacting cargo capacity. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on the base S trim to 20-inch wheels on the SEL R-Line Turbo. Color choices included Monterey Blue and Avocado Green, alongside neutral tones like whites, silver, gray, and black.

Inside, the Tiguan varied by trim. The base S trim had cloth seats with a new embossed design, while the SE and SE R-Line trims offered leatherette. The SEL R-Line Turbo stood out with two-tone Varenna leather upholstery and quilted stitching, resembling an Audi interior. A walnut trim piece added warmth to the dashboard. A tablet-style touchscreen was central, measuring 12.9 inches in most trims, with a 15-inch version in the SEL R-Line Turbo. A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel was standard across the lineup. The dashboard had a minimalist look, with many functions integrated into the touchscreen. A column-mounted gear selector freed up console space, enhancing the interior's sleek design.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim had rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The upmarket version offered more color options and features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers wanting more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like two-tone paint, the Premium Package, and off-road features, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the cabin prioritized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and technology upgrades. The displays and switchgear were similar to the Lexus GX, exuding quality despite a metallic echo when doors slammed.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque with FWD, or 221 pound-feet with 4Motion AWD. The power delivery was smooth and linear, with an eight-speed automatic transmission ensuring a seamless driving experience. The SEL R-Line Turbo trim introduced a new engine version, offering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, providing more acceleration power. Larger rear brakes were added to the SEL R-Line Turbo, but the overall setup remained similar to lower trims. The Tiguan featured drive modes like Normal, Sport, Eco, and Individual, with a focus on comfort. The suspension was stiff enough for sharp cornering, resulting in a rougher ride on bad pavement. The Tiguan was notably quiet, with minimal wind, tire, or engine noise intruding into the cabin. However, the lack of a hybrid option might deter fuel economy-focused buyers.

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 produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and a 6,000-pound towing capacity were standard. The Land Cruiser returned 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, according to the EPA, but our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg during a heat wave and 18.1 mpg on a mountainous route. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. The higher-spec Land Cruiser offered wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and an optional front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided adequate power, especially with gentle acceleration. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, though the Michelins lacked bite. In daily driving, it rode like a truck but handled urban infrastructure well, with a touchy brake pedal being a minor downside.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned for 2025, no longer offered an optional third row. Despite maintaining the same wheelbase as the previous generation, the interior was smaller. Cargo capacity decreased to 69.8 cubic feet behind the front seats and 33.8 cubic feet behind the back seat, with no additional storage below the trunk floor due to the spare tire. However, second-row legroom increased by 1.5 inches, and headroom remained adequate. Visibility was excellent, thanks to narrow A-pillars. The interior featured clear physical buttons on the steering wheel, large door pockets, and tandem-oriented cupholders. A wireless charging pad with an integrated cooling fan was located near the center console bin, keeping phones cool and out of reach while driving.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model was basic, with manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery. The higher trim level offered power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. The Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, with no third-row seat available. Storage was limited, with the optional center console cool box holding only four beverage cans. The power liftgate provided access to a 46.2 cubic-foot cargo area, but the high liftover height was due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement. Cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet, but the rear seat didn't fold flat, complicating the loading of bulky items.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, with a 15-inch version in the SEL R-Line Turbo. The larger screen had bright, crisp graphics, but many controls were integrated into the software, with finicky slider controls for volume and climate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 10.25-inch digital driver display. The SE-and-higher trims featured Volkswagen's "atmospheres" ambient lighting, combining lighting and audio settings to change the cabin mood. A seven-speaker audio system was standard, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon unit in the SEL R-Line Turbo.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 had a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, 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. Drive Connect offered cloud-based navigation and voice recognition, free for three months in the higher-spec Land Cruiser.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan had not been crash tested by NHTSA or IIHS. It featured an Intelligent Crash Response System, which shut off the fuel pump, activated hazard lights, and unlocked doors in a crash. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System applied brakes in certain scenarios to prevent additional collisions. The Tiguan's standard IQ.Drive suite included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-condition monitor. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist provided semi-autonomous driving capability, marketed as VW’s Travel Assist.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors. Proactive Driving Assist 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. NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser a four-star overall safety rating, with five-star side-impact ratings and a three-star rollover resistance rating. IIHS gave mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.