2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas

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 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, 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 its Premium Package, Heritage Blue and Grey paint, and 20-inch wheels, reached a price of $90,603. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capabilities and utility, 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, providing a technologically advanced feel.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the Execline trim, bordered on luxury crossover territory. Starting with the base Comfortline trim, the Atlas featured full-LED lighting, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, and a sculpted silhouette. The Peak Edition added rugged elements like all-terrain tires and blackout trim pieces. The Execline trim, with 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels and R-Line design elements, stood out with its Pure Grey paint and Titan Black upholstery. Priced at $64,492, the Execline trim offered a competitive price compared to luxury models like the BMW X5. Inside, the Atlas featured quilted diamond-pattern leather seats, metallic accents, and a 12-inch touchscreen. Despite its upscale appearance, the MIB3 infotainment system was frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were difficult to operate at night. The Atlas excelled in providing a spacious and comfortable environment for passengers, with competitive cargo capacity and genuinely usable third-row seating.

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 four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser featured off-roading capabilities with standard Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, while the Cruiser trim added Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite its off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. Fuel efficiency was a concern, with real-world consumption at 15.0 L/100 km, higher than the official rating of 10.1 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, offering a comfortable ride with features like a high seating position and excellent visibility.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas retained the turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine from previous models, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, the Atlas offered a flexible power delivery with peak torque available from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. While initial acceleration was modest, the Atlas settled into a competent rhythm on highways and country roads. The Drive Mode Select system offered various driving modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response. Fuel consumption was recorded at 10.7 L/100 km, slightly better than the official estimate. The 4Motion AWD system performed well in rain and light snow, though it was not intended for serious off-roading. The Atlas had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. Ride quality was a concern, particularly with the Execline trim's 21-inch wheels, which transmitted vibrations on imperfect pavement.

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 behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,324 litres with the seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. The Execline trim featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with supportive seating for long drives. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which provided decent leg support. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 583 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,735 litres with all seats down. The Atlas offered competitive space across all three rows, making it ideal for transporting people and belongings comfortably.

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 charger, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 12-inch touchscreen with the MIB3 operating system, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The Highline trim added a Harman Kardon audio system and a surround-view camera, while the Execline included a head-up display. Despite its impressive specifications, the MIB3 system was frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were difficult to operate at night. The voice control system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred options for connectivity.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems 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 safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS for 2025. The IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. The systems performed reliably during testing, with no need to disable them. The Execline trim added Park Assist, though the Atlas was easy to maneuver without it.