2026 Lexus NX vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

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, 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 tech. The Cruiser trim test vehicle, with its Premium Package, Heritage Blue paint, and 20-inch wheels, reached a price of $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road functionality, with a traditional two-box SUV shape and dark grey cladding. Inside, the Cruiser trim boasted a more refined interior than the 1958, with dual 12.3-inch screens and intuitive steering wheel controls.

The 2026 Lexus NX maintained a fresh look despite being a few years into its second generation. Its design featured integrated styling elements like chunky fenders and a spindle grille, which, while controversial, was balanced by the placement of headlights and air intakes. The NX was offered in various powertrain options, including non-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models, with packages like F Sport 3 adding performance features. However, the base NX 350's interior didn't quite meet luxury expectations, feeling similar to high-end Toyota RAV4 versions. The NX 350 Executive package offered leather upholstery and standard heated and ventilated front seats. Despite its bold design, the NX's ride quality and performance were less engaging compared to its German rivals, with a focus more on comfort and refinement.

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, allowing a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Cruiser trim added features like Multi-Terrain Select and a front stabilizer bar disconnect for enhanced off-road capability. However, real-world fuel efficiency was lower than expected, with observed consumption at 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, offering a high driving position and excellent visibility, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered multiple powertrain options, with the NX 350 F Sport 3 test car featuring a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite a quoted 7.0-second zero to 100 km/h time, the eight-speed automatic transmission felt sluggish. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling performance figures, with the latter achieving 304 hp and a 6.1-second zero to 100 km/h time. However, the NX's chassis tuning was indifferent, with firm dampers and lifeless steering detracting from the driving experience. The NX struggled to match the performance and ride quality of its German competitors, focusing more on comfort and refinement.

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. 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 less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expanding to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2026 Lexus NX provided competitive passenger space, though rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport 3 package added sport seats, which were comfortable but unnecessary given the NX's performance. Cargo space measured 643 litres with the rear seats up and 1,328 litres with them folded, trailing competitors. The NX's towing capacity was 907 kilograms, and the centre console featured large cupholders, aided by a compact shifter design.

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

The 2026 Lexus NX featured a standard 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 14-inch display available in higher packages. All models included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Higher packages offered a head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Data connectivity packages enabled features like cloud-based navigation and digital key functionality. The voice recognition system responded to commands but had limitations, such as not being able to change SiriusXM stations. The instrument cluster presented information efficiently, though it resembled older analog displays.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving, though performance varied. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, featuring forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features like park assist and a 360-degree camera system were available. The NX was named a 2025 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it missed the highest award due to an "Acceptable" score in one crash test. The NHTSA had not yet rated the current-generation NX.