2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer marked a significant departure from its predecessors, showcasing a more compact and aggressive design. Its sporty appearance was further enhanced by a minor styling refresh, featuring thinner accent lights and a reshaped grille that gave it a more athletic and serious look. Inside, the Trailblazer boasted a modern dashboard with a new digital instrument panel and an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, although the use of harder plastics was noticeable upon closer inspection. Despite this, the interior offered a comfortable and inviting space, with padded armrests and fabric inserts in the door panels.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a blend of retro and modern styling, with the base 1958 model featuring round headlights and cloth seats, while the Cruiser trim provided a more upscale look with larger screens and additional off-roading capabilities. The Cruiser trim, especially with the Premium Package, added leather upholstery and a host of tech features, making it a more luxurious option. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design maximized off-road clearances and cargo space, while its utilitarian interior was enhanced by dual 12.3-inch digital screens and a Java-coloured leather option.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered two powertrains, with the base model featuring a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a CVT, which, unfortunately, resulted in slow responses and a lack of confidence during acceleration. The Activ-trim test vehicle came with a more powerful 1.3-litre engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the increased power, the Trailblazer's performance remained modest, with a zero to 100 km/h time exceeding nine seconds. Handling was average, but the ride was comfortable, smoothing over road imperfections and minimizing noise.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, was equipped with Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time 4WD system, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning. Despite this, the Land Cruiser provided a powerful and responsive driving experience, particularly in urban and suburban settings.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered ample interior space, with excellent outward visibility and a roomy front cabin. The wireless charging pad, cupholders, and storage bins provided convenient storage options, while the panoramic sunroof added to the sense of space. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adult passengers, with sufficient legroom and headroom. The Trailblazer's cargo space was generous, with 716 litres available behind the rear seats, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

In comparison, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the Cruiser trim, with ventilated front seats and a power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support and comfort. The rear window design was less practical, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. However, the Land Cruiser offered a substantial 1,062 litres of cargo space, with a high load floor requiring some effort when loading heavy items. With the rear seats folded, the cargo space expanded to 2,324 litres.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer came standard with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, though responses were slightly delayed. The digital instrument panel provided clear and modern graphics, but the lack of a native navigation system meant relying on smartphone connectivity. The optional Bose audio system offered improved sound quality for those seeking a premium experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim featured dual 12.3-inch displays, with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, enhancing the infotainment experience. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless charger, and advanced features like a head-up display and digital key technology.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and "good" scores from the IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Confidence package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while adaptive cruise control was available on certain trims.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. These included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. However, the system's performance varied, with some features requiring manual intervention. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results in specific tests.