2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Volvo XC60

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 its 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 capability 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 Volvo XC60 was offered in Canada as the B5 mild hybrid and the T8 Plug-in Hybrid, with the B5 available in Core, Plus, and Ultra trims. The B5 Ultra trim, with numerous upgrades, pushed the MSRP past $80,000. The XC60's design, with its Forest Lake paint and 22-inch wheels, added significant presence, and its nearly decade-old design aged gracefully. The interior of the XC60 Ultra was a highlight, featuring clean Scandinavian design, plush Nappa leather, premium wood trim, and classy metal speaker grilles. The minimalist interior design, while elegant, could be frustrating for some due to the controls. The XC60 proved to be an excellent road trip vehicle, with its compact dimensions making it easy to park, though care was needed to avoid scraping the expensive wheels.

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, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser featured standard off-roading capabilities, including Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the Cruiser trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an official fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed a less efficient 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to park and maneuver on trails.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 B5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, with power delivered to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system contributed to a claimed 6.9-second sprint to 100 km/h, though response delays due to turbo lag or transmission reluctance were noted. The official fuel economy rating was 9.0 L/100 km, but real-world testing showed 9.5 L/100 km on a fuel economy loop and 10.8 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The XC60's ride quality was impacted by the 22-inch wheels, though the air suspension in Comfort mode filtered most unpleasantness. In Firm mode, the XC60 handled mountain roads with grace, though the light steering lacked feedback, and the brakes faded under hard use. The XC60 was equipped with Standard and Off-Road modes, though its ground clearance and wheel size limited off-road capability.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the Cruiser trim, with ventilated and heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical than the 4Runner's, and the centre console's cool box reduced storage space. The cargo area offered 1,062 litres of space, expanding to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2026 Volvo XC60's seats were a highlight, with the test vehicle featuring top-shelf front chairs with Nappa leather, heating, cooling, massage, and extending leg supports. The rear seats were less comfortable, with firm cushions and low positioning. The XC60 had a four-zone climate control system and a panoramic sunroof. In-cabin storage was adequate, with tamboured covers for cupholders and large bins in the front door panels. The cargo area offered 613 litres of space, expanding to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded. The 40:20:40-split folding back seat allowed for carrying longer items while accommodating passengers.

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 access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Four connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 featured an updated infotainment system with an 11.2-inch touchscreen and Volvo Car UX software. A four-year subscription to Digital Services provided access to Google built-in apps, including Google Maps and Google Assistant. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though Apple CarPlay required a wired connection. The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system offered 15 speakers and 1,410 watts of power, providing lush sound quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with 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 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing and three stars in rollover resistance.

The 2026 Volvo XC60 did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the side-impact crash test. However, it featured advanced safety tech, including forward collision warning with large animal detection and intersection braking assist. The XC60 earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in individual crash tests except for rollover resistance.