2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, the 1958 and the Cruiser. The 1958 trim, named after the year the model first appeared in North America, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, priced at $73,270. The Cruiser trim, priced at $82,030, offered 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. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities, with a traditional two-box SUV design and dark grey cladding. Inside, the Cruiser trim offered a more refined interior than the 1958, with dual 12.3-inch digital screens and Java-coloured leather, providing a technologically advanced and comfortable cabin.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse resembled a smaller Chevrolet Tahoe with its upright design and high-set grille. It featured eye-slit LED headlights and a semi-floating roof design. The Traverse's grille varied by model, with the Z71 trim standing out with red front tow hooks and all-terrain tires. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 22 inches, and a Midnight/Sport Edition package was available for a sportier look. Inside, the Traverse boasted a 17.7-inch touchscreen and an 11-inch digital instrument cluster. The interior materials were smart, with soft-touch surfaces and contrasting stitching. The base LT trim offered cloth upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a hands-free power liftgate, while the RS trim added leather upholstery and additional power adjustments. The Traverse's interior was well-designed, with ample storage and comfortable seating for first-row occupants.

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 off-road conditions, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse, with its car-like unibody architecture, offered better road manners than the larger Tahoe. It featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The Traverse's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms. While the turbo-four engine provided adequate power, the 0 to 100 km/h time was around eight seconds. Engine noise was a concern, and the AWD system required manual engagement. The Traverse offered various drive modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, Snow/Ice, and Tow/Haul, but it was not particularly sporty.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded from cloth to SofTex artificial leather, 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 thigh 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 Traverse, nearly 18 centimetres shorter than a Tahoe, provided ample passenger space but less cargo space. The RS trim featured second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating, while the LT and Z71 trims offered an eight-passenger configuration. First-row occupants enjoyed comfortable seats and excellent storage options. Second-row passengers had good space, but the third row was cramped for adults. The Traverse offered 648 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 2,764 litres with the seats folded, with a flat load floor for usability.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim featured dual 12.3-inch displays, with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected service plans. The Premium Package included a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system was effective, providing accurate navigation assistance.

The 2026 Chevrolet Traverse boasted an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was intuitive, with Google Maps for navigation and access to music services. Standard features included a satellite radio trial, Wi-Fi hotspot wiring, and a wireless phone charger. The base audio system had six speakers, with an optional 12-speaker Bose system available.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving. 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 Chevrolet Traverse offered standard safety features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Enhanced Driving package included Super Cruise hands-free technology and a surround-view camera system. The Traverse earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with room for improvement in the updated moderate front overlap test.