2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade continued to embody the essence of old-school Cadillac luxury, having evolved significantly since its debut in 1999. The updated design further distinguished it from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, with a new front end that aligned it stylistically with Cadillac's electric vehicles. The Escalade's exterior featured large vertical headlights and tall taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, complemented by the availability of massive 24-inch wheels. Inside, Cadillac enhanced the Escalade's high-tech appeal with a 55-inch OLED curved display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch version. The interior offered a range of luxurious materials and curated motifs, with the Premium Luxury Platinum trim showcasing Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, elevating the Escalade's status as a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more utilitarian design with a nod to its heritage. The base 1958 model featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim provided a modern, upscale appearance with additional off-roading capabilities. The Cruiser trim's Premium Package added leather upholstery and advanced technology, enhancing the interior's appeal. Despite its utilitarian focus, the Land Cruiser's interior was comfortable, with supportive front seats and a high driving position for excellent visibility. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, and the rear window design limited the cabin's open feel. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was generous, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. While the diesel option was discontinued, the V8 remained a solid choice, though it fell short of the Lincoln Navigator's twin-turbo V6. The Escalade-V variant boasted a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. All models featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth shifts and efficient highway cruising. In Canada, most models came with standard four-wheel drive, while the Escalade-V had a performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system. Despite its power, the Escalade's handling and ride quality couldn't match the refinement of competitors like the Range Rover or BMW X7. The optional Performance Upgrade Package, including Brembo brakes, enhanced braking performance.

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 for a total output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time four-wheel-drive system, with electronic locking differentials, enabled a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, real-world fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with observed consumption at 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though its handling on twisty roads was limited by its suspension tuning. The high driving position and off-road features made it easy to maneuver on trails, while the electric assist motor provided a responsive feel during daily driving.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the latter providing increased cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade ESV's extended length contributed to a total cargo capacity of 4,043 litres, surpassing competitors like the Lincoln Navigator L. Seating for up to eight was available, with the option for second-row captain's chairs. The Escalade excelled in first-row headroom and legroom, though second-row and third-row headroom were slightly less than some rivals. Towing capacity reached 3,675 kilograms for the standard model, with the ESV rated slightly lower. While the Escalade met segment expectations, it lacked some towing features offered by competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, and the Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. Front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support and comfort. The high load floor in the cargo area required effort when loading heavy items, though the 1,062-litre cargo space was generous. Maximum cargo capacity reached 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. The Land Cruiser's design prioritized off-road capability and utility, with features like a roof rack and high ground clearance enhancing its practicality.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with advanced technology, featuring a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The infotainment system included a digital instrument cluster, central touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen, with additional controls on a tablet-like screen below. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a hard button for vehicle operation. The optional Executive Second Row Package added rear-seat entertainment and comfort features, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays, offering a sophisticated infotainment experience. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Four connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect providing cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, head-up display, and digital key technology, enhancing the Land Cruiser's tech offerings.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-zone steering assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Safety Alert Seat provided tactile warnings, while Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on mapped roads. However, the system's handoff to manual control could be abrupt. Crash test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving, though performance varied depending on conditions. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with strong side-impact performance but a lower rollover resistance rating.