2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, the 1958 and the Cruiser. The 1958 trim, named after the year the model was first sold in North America, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, priced at $73,270. The Cruiser trim, priced at $82,030, presented a more modern and upscale appearance, with additional off-roading capabilities and a Premium Package option that included leather and advanced technology. The Cruiser trim test vehicle, with the Premium Package, Heritage Blue and Grey paint, and 20-inch wheels, had an MSRP of $90,603. Despite its utilitarian interior, the Cruiser trim offered a more refined cabin than the 1958, with dual 12.3-inch digital screens and intuitive steering wheel controls.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox showcased a successful blend of SUV character and car-like unibody design. Available in LT, Activ, and RS trims, each offered distinct styling features. The LT featured chrome grille mesh and 17-inch wheels, while the RS had black trim and 19-inch wheels. The Activ trim emphasized ruggedness with a prominent lower front fascia and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Equinox's cabin was well-assembled, with neat details like large air vents and a two-tone treatment in the Activ model. The seats, though supportive, were under-cushioned. The Equinox offered a spacious interior with ample storage, and the Activ trim included unique microfibre and Evotex seats.

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. It featured a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials and a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, though it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. It came with a CVT in FWD models and an eight-speed automatic in AWD models, with torque rated at 203 lb-ft for AWD. The Equinox's performance was adequate, though the transmission hesitated to downshift. The suspension provided a comfortable ride but lacked body control, making it a great highway cruiser. The Equinox offered an Off-Road drive mode with AWD, though its ground clearance was less than some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the Cruiser trim, with ventilated and heated front seats. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox provided nearly identical headroom and legroom to its competitors. The seats were supportive but under-cushioned. The Convenience Package III added a power-adjustable front passenger seat and heated rear seats. The Equinox offered 844 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,798 litres. It featured ample storage space and a spacious centre console. The maximum towing capacity for AWD models was 680 kilograms.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim featured dual 12.3-inch displays with Toyota Audio Multimedia, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium Package included a JBL premium sound system and digital key technology. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy voice recognition.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen. The Android-based infotainment system included Google built-in apps and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was intuitive, with easy-to-identify icons and a shallow menu structure. The Equinox lacked options for a head-up display or a more elaborate audio system, but it covered the basics for the average user.

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 Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and lane keep assist. The Safety and Technology Package added a surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition. The Equinox received mixed safety ratings from IIHS, with Good ratings in most crash tests but an Acceptable rating in the small overlap front test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.