Toyota Land Cruiser vs Toyota Sequoia

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the U.S.-only 1794 Edition trim, presented a unique aesthetic with its dark grey painted 20-inch wheels and reduced exterior chrome compared to its Canadian counterpart, the Platinum trim. The absence of Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim in the U.S. market was notable. In Canada, the Sequoia lineup included various trims such as the SR5 TRD Off-road, Limited, Platinum, and Capstone, with prices ranging from $87,174 to $106,175. Despite its few years on the market, the Sequoia's Lunar Rock paint, available only on lower trims in Canada, turned heads due to its rarity on the road. However, the interior, dominated by Toyota-grade plastic, left much to be desired in terms of luxury.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, offered two trims: the base 1958 and the more upscale Cruiser. The 1958 trim, priced at $73,270, featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment, while the Cruiser trim, at $82,030, boasted a modern appearance with more colour options and advanced off-roading capabilities. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue and Grey paint, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing the MSRP to $90,603. The Land Cruiser's traditional two-box SUV design emphasized off-road clearances and utility, with a utilitarian interior that was significantly enhanced in the Cruiser trim. The Java-coloured leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens added a touch of sophistication, making it feel worth its price.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was powered by an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in real-world conditions, compared to the expected 11.7 L/100 km. The SUV's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with a peak payload of 640 kilograms. However, the Sequoia's solid rear axle and battery placement compromised its driving dynamics, resulting in a jittery ride and limited off-road capability due to the low ground clearance and restrictive front air dam.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time 4WD system, with electronic locking differentials, allowed for a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. Despite an optimistic fuel economy rating of 10.1 L/100 km, the Land Cruiser averaged 15.0 L/100 km during testing. The SUV excelled in urban and off-road environments, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its capability. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning and tire choice, making it best suited for slow and steady driving.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals. The Platinum and Capstone trims offered luxurious features like 10-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the Sequoia's high floor and low roof made accessing the third row awkward, and cargo space was limited, with a maximum of 2,460 litres. The Sequoia's interior was practical but lacked the spaciousness of some rivals, and its long rear doors were cumbersome in tight parking spaces.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in the Cruiser trim, offered a comfortable front seating experience with ventilated and heated seats. However, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was generous, with 1,062 litres available behind the rear seats and a maximum of 2,324 litres with the seats folded. Despite the high load floor, the cargo area was cube-shaped and practical for various needs. The Land Cruiser's interior was functional, though the rear window design and centre console's cool box were less than ideal.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Limited trim upwards. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with various connected services plans. However, many advanced features required active subscriptions. The system's voice recognition was reasonably capable but had limitations, and the lack of a tuning knob was a minor annoyance. The Sequoia also included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror for added convenience.

In the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, the Cruiser trim upgraded the infotainment system to dual 12.3-inch displays, offering a sophisticated appearance. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to music accounts. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant, which performed well in tests. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and other advanced features, enhancing the overall technology experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driving assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the lane assist features were sometimes intrusive, leading to false warnings. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the latest ADAS suite, with enhancements like pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection. The system included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist, though it occasionally struggled in certain conditions. Additional safety features were available with the Premium Package. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results in specific tests.