2024 Acura MDX vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Acura MDX presented a striking exterior with its large shield grille, rakish headlights, and modern intake vents, creating a refined presence. Inside, the MDX was high-tech but cluttered, with a center console filled with controls that could be overwhelming. The MDX was available in several trims, including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance Packages, as well as the Type-S and Type-S Advance. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. The Type-S Advance package, which was reviewed, added a 26-speaker ELS sound system and massaging front seats, offering a luxurious experience despite the busy interior.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, offered in two trims, the 1958 and the Land Cruiser, showcased a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment in the base model. The Land Cruiser trim, however, provided a more modern and upscale appearance with additional colors and a nicer interior. The Premium Package added leather, a sunroof, and more tech features. The Land Cruiser's design maximized off-road capabilities and visibility, with a traditional two-box SUV design and dark gray cladding. The interior was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a Java-colored leather option that added contrast. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Land Cruiser felt worth its price due to its advanced technology and comfortable front seats.

The 2024 Acura MDX featured a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Type-S variant came with a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive System. The Type-S Advance model offered strong acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and Brembo performance brakes enhancing its performance. The MDX was agile for its size, with a tight turning radius and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time four-wheel-drive system included electronic locking differentials, enabling a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road features included Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select modes. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like a front stabilizer bar disconnect and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2024 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, with the first two rows being comfortable and supportive, while the third row was smaller and best for children. Cargo space was 16.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 71.4 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The MDX featured a power liftgate, with a hands-free option on higher trims. The center console provided ample storage, though the control layout was cluttered, with a touchpad shifter and a large drive-mode selector dial taking up space.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly with the Premium Package, featured SofTex artificial leather or real leather upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row seats lacked comfort, with poor thigh support and an awkward backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2024 Acura MDX's infotainment system was its weak point, with a 12.3-inch display controlled by an unintuitive touchpad. Despite this, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The center console cleverly integrated charging ports, but the overall system was less user-friendly compared to competitors like the Genesis GV80.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Premium Package, upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package also included a JBL sound system, wireless charging, a head-up display, and digital key technology, enhancing the Land Cruiser's tech offerings.

The 2024 Acura MDX came with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. The MDX earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with strong side-impact scores but a lower rollover resistance rating.