Toyota Land Cruiser vs Kia Seltos

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, resulting in subtle yet effective updates. The exterior featured redesigned headlights and grille, with a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies, giving the vehicle a rejuvenated appearance without significant cost increases. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, which was particularly striking. Inside, the Seltos introduced a new Gentle Brown interior colour, although the test model retained the standard black interior. A prominent change was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dashboard, integrating a fully digital instrument panel and an enlarged touchscreen infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two trim levels, with the base model, the 1958, evoking a retro aesthetic reminiscent of its early North American days. The Cruiser trim, however, presented a more modern and upscale look, with additional colour options and enhanced interior features. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, boasted Heritage Blue and Grey paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more refined than the 1958 model, featuring Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Kia's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The SX and X-Line trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a new eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 60 to 100 km/h scenarios, although some turbo lag was present at lower speeds. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 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 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials, allowing for a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Despite its impressive power, the Land Cruiser's handling on twisty roads was less agile due to its suspension tuning. However, it excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its capabilities. The Land Cruiser's fuel efficiency was lower than expected, with real-world consumption at 15.0 L/100 km.

The 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 1,778 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 753 litres with them in use. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility and ample headroom, accommodating taller occupants comfortably. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including in-door cupholders and cubbies, although the centre console tray was small. A hands-free power liftgate was standard from the EX Premium trim.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in the Cruiser trim, offered a more luxurious interior with SofTex artificial leather and ventilated front seats. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, and the running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear cargo area provided 1,062 litres of space, expanding to 2,324 litres with the rear seats folded. The high load floor required effort when loading heavy items, but the cube-shaped area was practical for storage.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a consistent digital bezel across trims, with screen sizes varying by model. The base infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while upper trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with physical controls for volume and climate settings. The SX and X-Line trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's Cruiser trim upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays, offering a sophisticated appearance. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to streaming services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless charger, and advanced features like a head-up display and digital key technology. The Drive Connect system provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant for voice commands.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came equipped with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The EX Premium trim added adaptive cruise control and navigation-based curve prediction, while the SX trim included traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with varying scores in specific tests.