2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced its iconic status with a distinctive, boxy design reminiscent of its predecessors. It featured a flat roof and a heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, echoing the 40 series. The round headlights on the First Edition paid homage to the 20 series, while rectangular ones on other trims nodded to the FJ62. All lighting was LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. Higher trims boasted colour-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. The lowered beltline improved visibility, and the First Edition included off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while others offered SofTex or leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a steering wheel were standard, with additional features like a moonroof and ventilated seats in higher trims. The cabin emphasized comfort with cushy seats and attractive stitching.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold design, especially after the 2023 refresh that introduced a more angular look. Its balanced forms and upscale appearance made it seem like a bargain. Inside, even the base trim offered a modern, upscale feel. Higher trims featured premium leather and luxury cues, though some metallic controls were hard to read. Thoughtful details included USB ports in seatbacks, smartphone storage pockets, and accessible drink holders. In Canada, it was available in four trims, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584. Our test vehicle, in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, showcased a luxurious interior with Robust Emerald paint.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in 4Hi or 4Lo, and the vehicle included rear- and centre-locking differentials. A push-button disconnect for the front sway bar was new, enhancing off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings and operated silently, improving off-road capability.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Palisade had a towing capacity of 2,268 kg and averaged 11.1 L/100 km in combined driving. It offered a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with a satisfying V6 sound. Despite not being fuel-efficient, it provided a delightful driving experience. The steering and suspension offered reasonable road feel, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm in the front and 897 mm in the back. Legroom was 838 mm front and 678 mm rear. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently placed. The cargo area had a raised load floor and a rubber mat, with a total volume of 1,063 litres. It included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with a seven-passenger arrangement in our test vehicle. It featured Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. Heated and ventilated seats were available in higher trims. The second-row captain’s chairs provided comfort and support, while the third row offered USB-C ports and air vents. Storage was generous, with adjustable cupholders and door panel trays. The Smart Liftgate opened hands-free, and cargo space measured 509 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser included the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard above the base trim, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. It featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base infotainment system had an 8-inch display and six speakers, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. Additional features included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade had a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, navigation, and voice recognition. The Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound, and the Palisade offered a digital rearview mirror and head-up display. The surround-view camera system was useful for parking.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota’s safety record provided confidence. It came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. Higher trims added lane-change assist and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. It offered Highway Driving Assist, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and a surround-view camera. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added evasive steering assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS through 2024 and had five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover ratings from NHTSA.