Toyota Land Cruiser vs Buick Envista

The 2026 Buick Envista was available in three trim levels: Preferred, Sport Touring, and Avenir, with Canadian prices ranging from $32,049 to $36,849, including a $2,300 destination charge. The Sport Touring Studio Series test vehicle, priced at $36,344, showcased a trendy design that made the crossover stand out. Despite its appealing exterior, the interior revealed the car's affordability, with plastic materials, fake leather, and hard seats. The lack of refinement was evident in the cheap-sounding noises from the centre armrest, turn signal stalk, and transmission shifter, reminding drivers of its budget-friendly nature.

In contrast, the 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the upscale version boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. Starting at $73,600 in Canada, the 1958 catered to those seeking a functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $82,390, targeted buyers desiring more features. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, emphasized function over form, with a cabin that exuded quality despite a few minor flaws. The Land Cruiser's construction and materials were impressive, offering a more upscale experience compared to its platform-mate, the Lexus GX.

The 2026 Buick Envista's performance was aligned with its price tag, featuring a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the front-wheel-drive crossover lacked all-wheel drive. The Envista's base curb weight was 1,423 kilograms, resulting in a slow and not very fuel-efficient vehicle. Turbo lag was noticeable, making it challenging to navigate traffic smoothly. Over a 500-kilometre journey, the Envista averaged 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres, exceeding the official rating of 7.9 L/100 km combined. The six-speed automatic transmission and cornering grip of the 19-inch wheels were highlights, but the steering and brakes were rudimentary, and the ride quality remained unsettled.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system paired a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, offering full-time four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. With a towing capacity of 2,722 kilograms, the Land Cruiser consumed 10.1 litres per 100 kilometres combined on premium fuel. The vehicle excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select modes. In daily driving, the Land Cruiser was mostly agreeable, though it exhibited some body roll and wind noise. Despite these minor drawbacks, it remained a capable and comfortable vehicle for various terrains.

The 2026 Buick Envista offered easy access due to its higher seating position, though rear passengers needed to be cautious of the sloping roofline. The interior featured basic climate control, but the air conditioning performed well. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated mirrors were standard in Canada. The front seats were supportive but lacked power adjustment for passengers. Storage space was decent, though unlined surfaces caused items to rattle. Rear seat passengers found the Envista accommodating, with generous legroom and a comfortable backrest angle. The cargo space measured 586 litres, expanding to 1,189 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied between the basic 1958 model and the higher trim level. The 1958 featured manually adjustable heated front seats with cloth upholstery, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats, ventilated front seats, and SofTex artificial leather. The Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, and heated rear seats. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, though storage was limited. The cargo area offered 1,062 litres, expanding to 2,327 litres with the rear seats folded, though the high liftover height and lack of a flat surface made loading challenging.

The 2026 Buick Envista featured an 8-inch digital driver display and an 11-inch touchscreen housed within a single glass surface. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The Studio Series upgrade added wireless smartphone charging, though it was slow. OnStar Basics connected services were free for eight years, providing valuable features like automatic crash response. The six-speaker audio system was adequate, with convenient steering wheel controls compensating for the lack of a tuning knob.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen in the 1958 model, while the higher trim featured 12.3-inch displays. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with trial periods for Toyota's connected services. The Premium Package included a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an Intelligent Assistant that responded well to commands, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests.

The 2026 Buick Envista came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors. In Canada, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard. The Envista received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with a Poor rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and an Acceptable rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention. The NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the Envista at the time of writing.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included features like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist. Additional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five-star ratings in the side impact crash test. The IIHS gave the Land Cruiser mostly Good ratings, though the updated moderate overlap frontal impact test resulted in a Marginal score.