2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

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 Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens. The steering wheel controls were notably intuitive compared to those in a Lexus RX.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade underwent significant changes, maintaining its recognizable profile but adopting a more upright and squared-off design. The standout feature was its bold front lighting with rectangular slashes flanking the grille. Inside, the Palisade's interior was softened with flowing shapes and simple lines reminiscent of mid-century modern furniture. The Ultimate Calligraphy model featured high-quality materials and a refined, relaxing atmosphere. The Palisade was 65 millimetres longer than its predecessor, with a 70-millimetre longer wheelbase, offering seating for seven or eight passengers. The Palisade's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements.

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 Land Cruiser offered off-road capabilities with features like Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select modes. However, its fuel efficiency was less than expected, with real-world consumption at 15.0 L/100 km compared to the official 10.1 L/100 km rating. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments but struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 287 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Palisade offered a refined driving experience with a comfortable ride and good isolation from road imperfections. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and featured Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD system with selectable drive modes. The Palisade XRT Pro trim enhanced off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, and additional off-road features. A hybrid powertrain option was also available, offering a total system output of 329 horsepower.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered SofTex artificial leather upholstery 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 had a high load floor, offering 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. However, the rear window design and centre console's cool box were less practical.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade provided spacious and comfortable seating, with captain’s chairs in the middle row and a third row suitable for occasional adult use. The interior featured USB-C ports, cupholders, and air vents for all passengers. The Palisade offered flexible seating arrangements with sliding second- and third-row seats. Heated and ventilated seats were standard in higher trims, with Relaxation Mode available in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade offered up to 540 litres of cargo space with the third row forward, expandable to 2,455 litres with the seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 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 JBL sound system, wireless charger, head-up display, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system was effective, providing accurate navigation assistance.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a head-up display and integrated dashcams. The Palisade included an in-car intercom, Rear Seat Quiet Mode, and a UV-light cleaning system. The Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality, standard on higher trims.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed performance in specific tests.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added evasive steering assist. The Palisade’s safety systems were generally effective, though not flawless in cyclist detection.