2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 BMW X3

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to its North American debut year. This version featured a retro aesthetic with round headlights and basic equipment, priced at $73,270. The Cruiser trim, however, offered a more modern and upscale appearance, priced at $82,030. It included larger screens, a nicer interior, and essential off-roading hardware. The Premium Package added leather and more tech, bringing the price to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capability with a traditional two-box SUV design, dark grey cladding, and an optional roof rack. Inside, the Cruiser trim was more refined than the 1958, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens enhancing its appeal.

The 2026 BMW X3, particularly the X3 M50 model, was priced from $81,592 and featured numerous upgrades, including a Frozen Deep Grey paint job and 21-inch wheels, pushing the MSRP to over $100,000. The X3's design was described as "monolithic," with a cold, industrial feel. The interior, while featuring Amber over Atlas Grey leather, was criticized for its austere quality. The X3's cabin included touch-sensing controls and lacked surface liners, which detracted from its premium feel. Despite these drawbacks, the X3 offered a tight turning radius and advanced parking technologies, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials, allowing a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser featured standard Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Cruiser trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed a less efficient 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, offering a high driving position and excellent visibility, but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 BMW X3 M50 boasted a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 393 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds. The M50 included performance features like an M Sport rear differential, M Sport brakes, and an Adaptive M suspension. The base X3 30 xDrive, with a 255-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, offered a 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds. Both models featured AWD and a 48-volt mild hybrid system, contributing to a fuel economy rating of 8.6 L/100 km, with real-world testing showing 9.8 L/100 km. The X3 M50 provided a firm ride but was a capable commuter, with a towing capacity of 2,200 kilograms.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the Cruiser trim, with ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked support, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was criticized for not offering a power-down option, and the centre console's cool box was deemed unnecessary. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2026 BMW X3 featured heated, power-adjustable front sport seats with Veganza upholstery, offering comfort and support. The rear seats, however, were less accommodating, with low cushions and hard plastic frames on the seatback storage nets. The X3 included a standard panoramic sunroof and generous storage, though lacking surface liners. The cargo area offered 892 litres of space, expandable to 1,900 litres with the rear seats folded, and included a temporary spare tire.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays, featuring the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included four connected service plans and a cloud-based navigation system with a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and digital key technology.

The 2026 BMW X3 featured a Curved Display with a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The infotainment system ran BMW Operating System 9, offering cloud-based navigation, in-vehicle gaming, and customizable driver profiles. However, the system had issues with Guest mode and voice recognition, and an unusual Apple CarPlay glitch was noted during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 BMW X3 offered standard safety features like forward collision warning and lane departure warning, with the Driving Assistant Professional Package adding lane-centring assist and adaptive cruise control. The X3's safety tech was customizable, though it had issues with false obstacle detection. The X3 received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.