2026 Subaru Forester vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 was first sold in North America, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, offering a nostalgic nod to its origins. Despite its lower price point of $73,270, the 1958 trim was quite basic, with cloth seats and limited colour options. The Cruiser trim, priced at $82,030, presented a more modern and upscale appearance, with additional colour choices and a more refined interior. It also included essential off-roading hardware and software, making it a more appealing option for those seeking both style and functionality. The Cruiser trim with the Premium Package, which added leather and advanced tech, brought the price to $90,603, offering a blend of luxury and ruggedness.

The 2026 Subaru Forester, redesigned for 2025, introduced a Wilderness model that enhanced its utility and safety features. The Wilderness model was easily recognizable with its lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, exclusive wheel designs, and anodized copper accents. While the look was divisive, it suited the Forester Wilderness better than other Subaru models. The interior was designed for easy cleanup after adventures, featuring water-resistant artificial leather and all-weather floor mats. The Forester Wilderness also offered a 360-kilogram static load rating on its roof rack, making it suitable for rooftop tents and other gear. The gas-only Forester lineup in Canada included several trims, with prices ranging from $36,884 to $48,384, and was built in Japan for Canadian models.

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 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials. It had a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms and featured off-roading aids like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with real-world consumption at 15.0 L/100 km, despite official ratings of 10.1 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments but struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness, lacking a turbocharged engine, relied on a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. While it weighed less than the Outback Wilderness, the Forester Wilderness could have benefited from more power, especially at elevation. The CVT transmission kept the engine responsive, and the shorter final-drive ratio improved low-speed off-road performance. The Forester Wilderness had a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms and featured Subaru’s Active Torque Split AWD system with X-Mode Dual Mode traction settings. It offered increased ground clearance and underbody protection, making it capable off-road. On pavement, it provided a comfortable ride, though fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, averaging 10.4 L/100 km during testing.

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 less practical, and the centre console’s cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 1,062 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2026 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, with a classic two-box design maximizing passenger and cargo space. The Wilderness model’s heated front seats were comfortable, with the driver’s seat offering 10-way power adjustment. However, it lacked a heated steering wheel and rear seats. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and safety improvements. The redesigned centre console improved storage, and the Forester Wilderness provided 779 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,957 litres with the rear seats folded. Its boxy design made efficient use of space, and Subaru offered numerous accessories to enhance its utility.

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 added a JBL premium sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and advanced features like a head-up display and digital key technology. The voice recognition system was effective, providing accurate navigation and control.

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness was equipped with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Subaru Multimedia Plus software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to MySubaru connected services. While it lacked a conversational digital assistant, the voice recognition system could handle basic commands. The infotainment screen was cluttered, but smartphone integration offered an alternative. The Wilderness model included a Harman Kardon audio system and a 180-degree forward view camera, though the camera’s distorted view was less reliable off-road.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The system also included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist, though its performance varied. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with mixed results in specific tests.

The 2026 Subaru Forester featured EyeSight, Subaru’s camera-based ADAS package, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also included unique features like automatic throttle management and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. Most trims had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Forester’s Emergency Stop Assist could detect unresponsive drivers and stop the vehicle safely. The 2025 Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS, and Subaru aimed to improve its rear passenger safety score. NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star ratings in individual assessments.