Toyota Land Cruiser vs Buick Encore GX

The 2024 Buick Encore GX emerged as one of the most visually appealing models from Buick in recent years. Drawing inspiration from the 2022 Wildcat concept, this refreshed model showcased a completely redesigned front with sleek daytime running lights positioned above the grille and angular LED lamps flanking it. The introduction of a new Buick logo added to its modern appeal. The Avenir-trim test vehicle featured a unique grille and chrome trim, enhancing its sophisticated look. While the rear design remained largely unchanged from 2023, the addition of new LED tail lights on the top trims added a touch of modernity. The Encore GX offered a range of vibrant colors, including brilliant red, deep blue, maroon, and the striking Copper Ice Metallic. Some colors even allowed for a contrasting black roof, mirrors, and roof rails, adding to its stylish appearance.

Inside, the most significant change was the relocation of HVAC vents to accommodate a new 19-inch glass panel housing the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen. This large glass panel gave the interior a premium, tech-savvy look, although some cheap-feeling plastics were present. The interior color options were limited to black or cream, but given the price point, it was a minor drawback. Overall, the Encore GX presented a handsome package, especially with the available 19-inch wheels.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, offered two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, paying homage to the year it was first sold in the US. This version had a retro look with round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. The more expensive Land Cruiser model, priced at $62,965, boasted a modern, upscale appearance with more color options and a nicer interior featuring larger screens. It also included critical off-roading hardware and software, making it a more appealing choice for those seeking adventure. The Premium Package added leather, more tech, and features like a Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack, bringing the price to $71,004.

The Land Cruiser's design maximized off-road clearances, outward visibility, and room for people and cargo. Its utilitarian interior featured traditional switchgear, and the Java-colored leather added a desirable color contrast. The dual 12.3-inch digital driver and infotainment screens gave it a technologically advanced appearance. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Land Cruiser's interior was more refined than the 1958 model, making it feel worth the price. The steering-wheel controls were intuitive, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX retained its previous engine options, offering a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). All trims could be upgraded to a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, delivering 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided a responsive feel, accelerating to 60 mph in about nine seconds. While not exceptionally quick, it held its own among competitors. However, there was a noticeable delay in highway passing, with the transmission reluctant to downshift promptly. The Encore GX excelled as a city car, offering a smooth ride and a selectable AWD system for added control.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, transferred through a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking rear and center differentials. The Land Cruiser had a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and included features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. The more expensive model added Multi-Terrain Select off-roading modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with impressive suspension tuning that absorbed rough terrain. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its tires and suspension tuning.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX, as a subcompact SUV, offered limited utility but aligned with its competitors. It had a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds and featured an available hands-free liftgate for easy loading. The cargo space measured 23.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The interior offered available heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with eight-way adjustable seats available on higher trims. A seven-speaker Bose audio system was also an option.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, when upgraded from the 1958 model, featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats provided excellent support, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. The cargo space measured 46.2 cubic feet, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX featured an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, housed under one pane of glass. While visually appealing, the screens had unused real estate, giving the impression of malfunctioning. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 120-volt outlet. The available rear camera mirror provided a wider-angle view of the rear. The infotainment system was simple, with tiles for smartphone mirroring, climate control, settings, camera views, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, when upgraded from the 1958 model, featured two 12.3-inch displays with a sophisticated appearance. The Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, including Service Connect, Safety Connect, Remote Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Drive Connect. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital camera-based rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Buick Encore GX came standard with Buick's Driver Confidence package, including lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, a following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was also standard. However, rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera were optional. The Encore GX featured unique safety features like Teen Driver and Buckle to Drive. The NHTSA awarded it a full five-star overall safety rating, with five stars for frontal and side crash ratings and four stars for rollover.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving aid. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist (PDA). The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, and Traffic Jam Assist. The NHTSA awarded the Land Cruiser a four-star overall rating, with four stars for frontal impact, five stars for side impact, and three stars for rollover resistance.