Toyota Land Cruiser vs Volvo XC90

The 2025 Volvo XC90 maintained its reputation for timeless elegance with a refresh that subtly modernized its design while preserving its classic appeal. The updated "Thor’s Hammer" headlights appeared more robust and deliberate, thanks to a precise outline, enhancing the vehicle's established identity. The grille, while retaining its shape, was modernized with diagonal, slightly convex slats, creating a sophisticated, woven appearance. The B5 AWD mild hybrid in Denim Blue and the T8 eAWD PHEV in Bright Dusk both showcased Volvo's "Bright" exterior theme, emphasizing chrome trim elements that resisted fleeting trends. The XC90's interior remained comfortable and understated, with updates like a repositioned infotainment screen and a more symmetrical center console. The introduction of new interior materials, including quilted Nordico, perforated nappa leather, and a herringbone weave textile made from recycled polyester, added a Swedish touch to the cabin.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two trim levels, with the base model, the 1958, featuring a retro look reminiscent of its early years. The more modern Land Cruiser trim provided a sophisticated appearance, larger screens, and essential off-roading hardware. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack. The Land Cruiser's utilitarian interior featured traditional switchgear, with the Premium Package adding leather upholstery and advanced technology. Despite its traditional two-box SUV design, the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capabilities, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and suspension tuning that favored comfort over agility.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all with standard AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base B5 model featured a four-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid support, delivering 247 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The B6 variant added turbo- and e-supercharging, increasing output to 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an 18.8-kWh battery, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T8 offered up to 33 miles of pure-electric range on a full charge. The B5 and B6 models provided hassle-free options without the need for electric charging, while the T8 required regular plugging in to maximize fuel efficiency. The XC90's suspension featured Frequency Selective Damping technology, enhancing ride comfort and stability.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 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 produced 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity reached 6,000 pounds, and it included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The more expensive Land Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road scenarios, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views enhancing its capabilities. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive, with noticeable body roll and suspension tuning that favored comfort over agility.

The 2025 Volvo XC90's redesigned center console improved practicality by relocating the wireless charging pad below the center stack, freeing up space for cupholders. This change kept charging phones out of direct sunlight and ensured they stayed in place during motion. The XC90 offered standard USB-C charge ports for the first and second rows, while third-row occupants had dedicated cupholders and a panoramic roof view. The XC90's third-row space, with 36.3 inches of headroom and 31.9 inches of legroom, was competitive among midsize three-row SUVs. The front and second-row seats provided ample space, with 38.9 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom in the front, and 38.5 inches of headroom and 37 inches of legroom in the second row.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, with the Premium Package adding real leather and a power sunroof. The front seats offered excellent support, while the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design limited airflow, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a high load floor requiring effort to load heavy items. With the rear seats folded, maximum cargo space reached 82.1 cubic feet.

The 2025 Volvo XC90's infotainment system featured a larger touchscreen with sharper resolution and a new user interface. The system emphasized a fewer-taps approach, with a fixed menu bar and a contextual bar for frequently accessed functions. The Android-based system included Google Built-In and standard Apple CarPlay connectivity. The XC90 offered a 10-speaker High Performance stereo as standard, with options for a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins High Fidelity audio system. The top-tier sound system provided four distinct listening modes, each offering a unique audio experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958 model's 7-inch digital driver display and 8-inch touchscreen to two 12.3-inch displays. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. 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 Volvo XC90 had not yet been crash-tested, but its predecessors earned top safety ratings. The 2024 XC90 received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. The XC90 featured standard advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot information. It also offered active collision-avoidance features like intersection auto brake and large animal detection. However, it lacked a hands-free highway-driving system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection. It also offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided a semi-autonomous highway driving aid. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal-impact tests, five stars in side-impact tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating.