2025 Volvo XC90 vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Volvo XC90 maintained its reputation for timeless elegance with a refresh that subtly modernized its design while preserving its classic appeal. The updated "Thor’s Hammer" headlights appeared more robust, and the grille's new asymmetrical, woven-like design added a sophisticated touch. The B5 AWD mild hybrid and T8 eAWD plug-in hybrid models showcased Volvo's "Bright" exterior theme, emphasizing chrome trim and large wheels that filled the arches beautifully. Inside, the XC90's interior remained comfortable and understated, with updates like a more spacious centre console and a standard Orrefors crystal shift knob in Canada. The introduction of new interior materials, including quilted Nordico and herringbone weave textile, added a Swedish flair to the cabin.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more rugged and utilitarian design, with the base 1958 model featuring retro elements like round headlights and cloth seats. The Cruiser trim, however, presented a more modern and upscale appearance, with additional colour options and a nicer interior. The Premium Package added leather and advanced tech features, enhancing the overall experience. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design maximized off-road capabilities and interior space, while the optional roof rack and dark grey cladding emphasized its utility. Inside, the Cruiser trim's Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital displays provided a more refined atmosphere compared to the base model.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 offered two powertrains in Canada, both with standard AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The B6 mild hybrid, a turbo- and e-supercharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an 18.8-kWh battery, producing a total of 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T8 offered up to 53 kilometres of pure electric range, and its Charge mode allowed the gas engine to boost the hybrid battery's charge level. The XC90's standard suspension featured Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, providing improved ride comfort and stability.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, pairing a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms, and it included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. Despite an optimistic fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, real-world testing showed 15.0 L/100 km. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views, but its handling on twisty roads was less impressive.

The 2025 Volvo XC90's redesigned centre console improved practicality by relocating the wireless charging pad below the centre stack, freeing up space for cupholders. The XC90 offered standard USB-C charge ports for the first and second rows, while third-row occupants had dedicated cupholders and a panoramic roof view. The XC90's third-row space was tight, with 922 mm of headroom and 810 mm of legroom, but it outperformed competitors like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Infiniti QX60 in this regard.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim replaced cloth upholstery with SofTex artificial leather, adding ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package introduced real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats provided excellent support, the second-row seats lacked comfort and thigh support. The Land Cruiser's 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, with a maximum of 2,324 litres when the back seat was folded, though the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Volvo XC90's infotainment system featured a larger touchscreen with sharper resolution and a new user interface, emphasizing a fewer-taps approach. The Android-based system included Google Built-In and standard Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Ultra package added a head-up display and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system with four listening modes, offering an exceptional audio experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included four connected service plans and a cloud-based navigation system with a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Volvo XC90 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, with standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and blind-spot information. While it lacked a hands-free highway-driving system, the XC90 prioritized functional safety features.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), offering 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 additional safety features like front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist available in the Premium Package.