2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 was a standout in the compact SUV segment, boasting an attractive design that borrowed from the CX-5 but added its own flair with pronounced fender flares and a wider grille. This gave it a sportier and more athletic stance while maintaining an elegant presence. Inside, the CX-50 featured a traditional layout with high-quality materials, including soft-touch surfaces and sturdy plastics. The interior was further enhanced by distinct stitching and exclusive red leather upholstery in the hybrid model, adding a touch of sophistication. However, the decorative stripe running down the middle of the seats was a point of contention, as some found its placement awkward.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more utilitarian design with a nod to its heritage. The base model, known as the 1958, featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim provided a more modern and upscale appearance. The Cruiser trim also offered additional off-roading hardware and a Premium Package with leather and advanced technology. The Land Cruiser's interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a focus on functionality. The Java-coloured leather added a touch of contrast, and the dual 12.3-inch digital screens provided a technologically advanced feel. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser was well-suited for off-road adventures and daily driving.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid debuted with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, delivering 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. It featured all-wheel drive, although it wasn't designed for serious off-road use. The hybrid powertrain was borrowed from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, offering a smart choice given Toyota's expertise in hybrid technology. The CX-50 Hybrid filled the gap between the base engine's 187 horsepower and the Turbo model's 256 horsepower. Acceleration was similar to the RAV4 Hybrid, with an expected 0-100 km/h time of 7.5 to 8 seconds. The sportier suspension tuning provided engaging handling, with minimal body roll and a firm ride quality that remained smooth and quiet on the highway.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser had a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms and included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with real-world consumption at 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, but its handling on twisty roads was less agile due to its suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility and off-road capabilities, including a front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 offered a comfortable driving experience but fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to competitors. While the front seats provided ample room, the rear seats were less accommodating for taller passengers. Personal storage was adequate, but rivals offered more storage options. The CX-50's cargo capacity was 826 litres, which was less than the non-hybrid version and significantly below the class average. However, the space was usable, with a power liftgate and convenient features like remote rear seatback releases and shopping bag hooks.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser provided a more spacious interior, especially in terms of cargo capacity. The Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather and added ventilated front seats. The Premium Package included real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The cargo area offered 1,062 litres of space, with a high load floor requiring effort to load heavy items. Maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded was 2,324 litres.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment system controlled by a centre console dial, offering a unique approach compared to typical touchscreens. While some users appreciated this setup for its ease of use, others found it less intuitive. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad standard on hybrid models. Base trims had an eight-speaker audio system, while the GT trim offered a 12-speaker Bose premium system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with a sophisticated appearance. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Four connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA in most evaluations and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It came equipped with driver assistance features like frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The systems functioned smoothly, with no false alarms, and the adaptive cruise control provided smooth acceleration and stops.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high beams, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with varying performance in different tests.