2024 Hyundai Tucson vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson, a continuation of its fourth generation, maintained its striking design introduced in 2022. Its sharp angles and unique headlight integration into the grille created a contemporary and aggressive look, even in the typically unflattering white colour. The Tucson's design stood out in the compact SUV segment, offering a distinct style that set it apart from other brands that often replicate designs across their lineups. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was modern and refined, with technology seamlessly integrated, although the absence of a volume dial was a minor inconvenience. The layout of controls was intuitive, with some positioned conveniently near the shifter and cupholders.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV design with a focus on off-road capability. The base 1958 model had a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim provided a modern, upscale appearance with additional off-roading features. The Cruiser trim, especially with the Premium Package, boasted a more luxurious interior with leather upholstery and larger screens. However, the interior design leaned towards utility, with traditional switchgear and a high load floor for cargo. The Land Cruiser's exterior design emphasized its off-road prowess, with features like a roof rack and dark grey cladding underscoring its rugged utility.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson in Canada came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled with highway acceleration and produced noticeable noise. For those seeking more power, the Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid offered 226 and 261 horsepower, respectively, though they featured a less intuitive button-style shifter. The Tucson excelled in handling and ride quality, providing a comfortable and well-rounded driving experience, though not as sporty as some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, offering a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Despite its impressive power, the Land Cruiser's fuel efficiency was less than expected, with real-world consumption higher than official ratings. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, but its handling on twisty roads was less refined due to its suspension tuning.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson offered impressive cargo space, with up to 2,119 litres available with the rear seats folded and 1,097 litres with them in use. The hands-free power liftgate, available from the Preferred trim with the Trend package, added convenience. The Tucson comfortably seated five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows, making it suitable for longer trips. The cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including deep cup holders and a centre tray with a wireless charging pad.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in the Cruiser trim with the Premium Package, provided a more luxurious interior with real leather and a power sunroof. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, and the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. While the interior was utilitarian, it provided essential features for off-road adventures, though some design choices, like the rear window operation, were less practical.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a fully digital instrument panel. While the system was intuitive, it lacked wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The haptic volume toggle was less user-friendly, but the interface was glove-friendly, which was beneficial in cold weather. Hyundai's evolved remote start system allowed for seamless vehicle operation once inside.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in the Cruiser trim, upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM and music account integration. The system included a cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant for voice commands. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, a wireless charger, and advanced features like a head-up display and digital key technology.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Ultimate trim added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system and Smart Park remote-parking. The Tucson received high safety ratings from the IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. While the Land Cruiser's ADAS performance varied, some features proved invaluable in critical situations. The NHTSA rated the Land Cruiser with four stars overall, noting areas for improvement in rollover resistance.