Toyota Land Cruiser vs Jeep Compass

The 2024 Jeep Compass, tested in Michigan, presented a rather generic exterior, especially in its Sport trim. The model we evaluated was a white Compass with black plastic door handles and small wheels, reminiscent of a utility fleet vehicle. Its design was largely indistinguishable from other small crossovers, save for the iconic seven-slot grille. The interior, however, was a different story. The Compass boasted a well-designed cabin with supportive cloth seats featuring blue stitching and textured inserts. The dashboard and door panels were adorned with light grey cloth, adding a touch of contrast. The vehicle came equipped with a 10-inch infotainment screen and push-button start, offering a sense of style and quality that was a marked improvement over older models.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser exuded a more traditional SUV aesthetic with its two-box design, maximizing off-road clearances and visibility. The Cruiser trim, which we tested, featured a Heritage Blue and Grey paint job, 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack. The interior was utilitarian yet upscale, with Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens. The Land Cruiser's cabin was spacious, though the second-row seats lacked comfort. The vehicle's exterior was characterized by a ring of dark grey cladding, emphasizing its rugged utility. Despite its drab paint options, the Land Cruiser's design was purposeful and functional, catering to both daily driving and off-road adventures.

The 2024 Jeep Compass was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Compass offered smooth city driving and highway merging. It featured three driving modes and a rear-axle disconnect for fuel efficiency. However, its steering and handling were less impressive, with too much play off-centre and low grip. The Compass Trailhawk variant offered additional off-road capabilities, including a low-range transfer case and extra ground clearance. Fuel economy was estimated at 9.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 on the highway.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Its full-time four-wheel-drive system, with electronic locking differentials, allowed for a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, its handling on twisty roads was less agile due to its suspension tuning. Fuel economy was rated at 10.1 L/100 km combined, though real-world testing showed higher consumption. Despite this, the Land Cruiser offered a powerful and responsive driving experience, ideal for both urban and off-road settings.

The 2024 Jeep Compass offered practicality and ease of use, with clear analog gauges and a large colour display. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with rear seats featuring vents, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest. Cargo space was competitive, with 770 litres behind the rear seats and 1,693 litres when folded. The front passenger seat also folded, allowing for easy transport of longer items.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in the Cruiser trim, featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery and ventilated front seats. The interior was spacious, though the second-row seats lacked comfort. The rear liftgate revealed 1,062 litres of cargo space, with a maximum of 2,324 litres when the back seats were folded. However, the high load floor required effort when loading heavy items. The Land Cruiser's interior was functional, with a focus on utility and comfort for long journeys.

The 2024 Jeep Compass came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen featuring Uconnect 5 software, offering a slick and responsive interface. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with optional factory navigation and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. The Altitude and Trailhawk Elite trims featured a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel with full-screen maps.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and a head-up display. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant for voice commands.

The 2024 Jeep Compass had not been rated by the NHTSA for 2024, but the 2022 model received four out of five stars. The IIHS awarded the 2023 Compass a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were standard on all but the base trim.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a road sign reader and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.