2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 was designed with a distinctive aesthetic that set it apart from typical cars, featuring an abundance of charcoal-coloured plastic on the lower body. While some found this excessive, the overall design was appealing, with short overhangs, a long hood, and a sleek roofline. The interior of the CX-30 was a standout, offering a level of style and refinement comparable to entry-level luxury SUVs. The gauges were clear, the infotainment screen was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and the climate controls were elegantly designed.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV look, with a two-box design that emphasized off-road capability and utility. The Cruiser trim, in particular, provided a modern and upscale appearance, with a variety of colour options and a more luxurious interior. The interior was utilitarian yet comfortable, especially in the front seats, though the second-row seats lacked support. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was generous, but the high load floor required some effort when loading heavy items.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30, equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Despite these impressive figures, the power delivery was smooth and gradual, creating a deceptive sense of sluggishness. The six-speed automatic transmission provided flawless shifting, and the standard all-wheel-drive system ensured power was effectively distributed to all four wheels. However, the turbocharged engine's fuel economy was less than ideal, with observed consumption at 13.3 L/100 km on a mountainous route.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This setup, paired with a full-time 4WD system, allowed for a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Despite its power, the Land Cruiser struggled with fuel efficiency, recording 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The SUV excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, but its handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning.

Inside the 2024 Mazda CX-30, the design was both stylish and functional, with quality materials and intuitive controls. The interior space was somewhat cramped, particularly in the back seat, but the front seats were comfortable and offered good adjustability. Cargo space was flexible, with 572 litres available behind the rear seats and up to 1,280 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially in the Cruiser trim, offered a more luxurious interior with SofTex artificial leather and ventilated front seats. However, the second-row seats were less comfortable, lacking adequate support. The cargo area was spacious, providing 1,062 litres of space, but the high load floor could be challenging when loading heavy items. The rear window design was less practical, requiring the glass to be flipped up rather than powered down.

The 2024 Mazda CX-30 featured a new 10.25-inch infotainment display in the GT and Suna trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the screen's distance from the driver and passenger was a drawback. Mazda Connected Services provided a two-year complimentary subscription, and the GT and Suna trims included additional tech features like USB-C ports and a Bose audio system.

In the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, the Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays, offering a sophisticated infotainment experience with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included a digital assistant and cloud-based navigation. 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 Mazda CX-30 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive headlights and a surround-view camera system. The CX-30 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced safety features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added features like front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. However, the Land Cruiser's safety systems occasionally required manual intervention. The NHTSA rated the Land Cruiser with four out of five stars overall.