2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 BMW X7

The 2023 BMW X7 underwent a significant mid-cycle refresh, adopting a more assertive front-end design reminiscent of the BMW 7 Series sedan. The new styling featured LED accent lights positioned where the previous headlights were, with the actual headlights now recessed below. This bold design choice, particularly the oversized kidney grille, continued to polarize opinions. While the front-end changes were divisive, the sides and rear of the X7 remained largely unchanged, offering a sense of familiarity. The interior saw a modern update with a curved glass housing for the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen, alongside a more streamlined dashboard design. The quality of materials was top-notch, with options for leather upholstery and a new Sensafin synthetic substitute. Despite some reflective issues with glossy trim, the interior revisions were generally well-received, providing a modern and elegant atmosphere.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic boxy design, retained its classic appeal with a flat roof and heritage-inspired details. Each of the three trims paid homage to past models, with the heritage grille and round headlights echoing earlier series. The Land Cruiser embraced modernity with LED lighting and color-selectable fog lights on higher trims. The interior offered a mix of comfort and functionality, with cloth seats in the base trim and leather in the First Edition. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with additional features like a moonroof and ventilated seats available in the Premium Package. The cabin design emphasized comfort, with cushy seats and padded surfaces, allowing drivers to focus on the road ahead without discomfort.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with the base xDrive40i model, which featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This setup delivered 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, an increase from the previous year. The X7 M60i model took performance up a notch with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing all-wheel drive capabilities. Despite its nearly 6,000-pound weight, the X7 handled well on the road, with the V8 offering potent acceleration. The ride was slightly firmer compared to other luxury SUVs, but it maintained a good balance of performance and comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser introduced a hybrid powertrain with the i-Force MAX system, combining a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-horsepower electric motor. This setup produced a total of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and a two-speed transfer case. The ability to disconnect the front sway bar and the inclusion of CRAWL control further enhanced its off-road prowess. The Land Cruiser's hybrid system provided ample power for various terrains, and its off-road capabilities were complemented by a smooth and unobtrusive transmission.

The 2023 BMW X7 offered ample space for passengers and cargo, with a power-operated middle row providing access to the third row. While the third row could accommodate average-sized adults, the seat cushion was lower, affecting thigh support. Cargo space behind the third row measured 12.8 cubic feet, expandable to 48.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 90.4 cubic feet with the middle seats down. The split tailgate design and adjustable suspension made loading and unloading easier. Front-seat passengers enjoyed generous storage options, including a large center console bin and door pockets.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured two rows of seating with no third-row option in the U.S. Headroom and legroom measurements were modest, with 36.1 inches of headroom in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. The center console housed key off-road controls, and the cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space with a raised load floor. The cargo area included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims. The interior design focused on practicality and ease of use, with hard controls for climate and media placed within easy reach.

The 2023 BMW X7 featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, which, despite its intuitive layout, had moved many functions to the touchscreen, reducing the number of physical buttons. This change made accessing certain features, like seat adjustments and cruise control settings, more cumbersome. Voice commands offered a workaround, but they interrupted audio playback. While the system excelled in navigation and texting, more physical buttons for frequently used features would have been appreciated.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with the Multi-Terrain Monitor system on higher trims, enhancing the 12.3-inch touchscreen's utility during off-road driving. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers. The base trim featured an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added features like a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 BMW X7 had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard features included frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and adaptive headlights. The M60i trim added a surround-view camera system, with options for adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The highway driving assist feature was particularly effective in reducing driver fatigue on long trips.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. This suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist, along with automatic high beams and road-sign assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert. The Land Cruiser's safety features provided a high level of confidence, despite the lack of official ratings.