2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Jeep Compass

The 2023 Jeep Compass presented a more refined and upscale appearance, moving away from the rugged design ethos traditionally associated with Jeep. It featured round headlights and square taillights, with a utilitarian interior replaced by a more sophisticated look. The Compass shared design elements with the larger Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer families. The 2023 model introduced new 17-inch wheel designs for the Sport and Latitude models, while the Trailhawk's wheels were painted gloss black. The Compass was available in five core trim levels, with special editions like the Altitude, Red, and High Altitude. The Limited trim, with its Granite Crystal paint and optional 19-inch wheels, resembled a scaled-down Grand Cherokee. Inside, the two-tone black and gray cabin with caramel accents exuded a sense of luxury, though the price tag of $45,800 seemed steep for a small SUV.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic boxy design, maintained its classic look with a flat roof and heritage grille. The J250 model featured round headlights on the base 1958 trim and top-shelf First Edition, while the middle-grade Land Cruiser had rectangular headlights. All lighting was LED, aligning with modern standards. The two higher trims offered color-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. The Land Cruiser's interior emphasized comfort, with cloth seats in the base trim, SofTex in the middle trim, and real leather in the First Edition. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims. The Premium Package added a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The cabin, with its cushy seats and attractive contrast stitching, provided a comfortable environment for navigating challenging terrains.

The 2023 Jeep Compass finally addressed its powertrain issues with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 200 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The engine's peak torque was available from 1,750 to 4,250 rpm, with maximum horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Jeep Active Drive AWD, the Compass offered three driving modes: Auto, Snow, and Sand/Mud. The Trailhawk version featured a Jeep Active Drive Low AWD system with a 20:1 crawl ratio, Rock driving mode, and hill descent control. The Compass Trailhawk excelled in off-road conditions, though it struggled on mud and loose dirt. The new turbo engine was quieter and more refined, but the Compass remained tall and narrow, affecting its handling on uneven surfaces. The EPA fuel economy rating was 27 mpg combined, though real-world testing averaged 23.8 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser introduced a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, delivering a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by an automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and center-locking differentials, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The CRAWL control function, with five speed settings, managed braking and acceleration over challenging terrain. The Land Cruiser's performance on the off-road course was impressive, with the CRAWL control operating silently and effectively.

The 2023 Jeep Compass offered a spacious interior with seating for adults in both rows. Despite its narrow design, it provided decent comfort for four people. Standard features included an air filtration system and available dual-zone automatic climate control. Cloth upholstery was standard, with leather seats available on higher trims. The Limited trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat offered enough space for adults, though legroom was snug. The Compass provided 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, had two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console housed controls for off-road features, while the wireless charging pad was conveniently located. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a raised load floor and a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The trunk included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2023 Jeep Compass featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM services. The system offered over-the-air updates and paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel. The Limited trim included an embedded navigation system, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and Alexa Built-in technology. The parking assist system could autonomously steer the Compass into parking spaces, while the surround-view camera was useful for maneuvering.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, utilized a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim featured an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system with an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Jeep Compass added a drowsy driver detection system and rear-seat reminder for 2023. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Available upgrades included adaptive cruise control and a traffic sign recognition system. The Trailhawk, Limited, and High Altitude trims offered Highway Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system. The Compass had not been rated by NHTSA, and IIHS ratings were incomplete.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's safety record provided some confidence. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert. The Land Cruiser's safety features were comprehensive, though official ratings were unavailable.