2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban, a long-standing icon in the automotive world, continued to impress with its massive size and practicality. Despite its imposing dimensions, the Suburban managed to blend seamlessly into traffic, a testament to its status as an automotive institution. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, it was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, for those in need of ample cargo and passenger space, as well as significant towing capacity, the Suburban was a top contender. Available in six trims, from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, the Suburban offered a range of features, including automatic windshield wipers, LED lighting, and tinted windows. While the interior was spacious and comfortable, even the top trims left some features as optional, such as power running-board steps and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its second model year, offered two trim levels: the base 1958 and the more upscale Land Cruiser. The 1958 trim paid homage to the model's history with a retro design, while the Land Cruiser trim provided a modern, sophisticated look with additional off-roading capabilities. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, featured a Heritage Blue exterior, 20-inch wheels, and a roof rack, bringing its price to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's interior, though utilitarian, was enhanced with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens. Despite its traditional design, the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road environments, thanks to features like Multi-Terrain Select and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. However, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive, and its fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8, and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-liter V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, provided 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering smoother acceleration. The diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, was praised for its fuel efficiency and lower cost on the High Country trim. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's size was managed well by its steering and brakes, though some body roll was expected.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 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. This setup, paired with a full-time 4WD system, allowed for a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with features like Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control. However, the Land Cruiser's real-world fuel economy was disappointing, with observed figures significantly lower than the EPA's 23 mpg combined rating. Despite this, the Land Cruiser excelled in urban and off-road environments, though its handling on twisty roads was less than ideal.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban was renowned for its cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for families needing ample space for road trips and towing. The Suburban also featured a 28-gallon fuel tank, allowing for long highway drives between fill-ups.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the cargo area was generous, the high load floor required some effort when loading heavy items. The interior, especially with the Premium Package, offered comfortable front seats, though the second-row seats lacked support. The Land Cruiser's rear window design and center console's cool box were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban's infotainment system featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen, standard on most trims, with Google Built-in for seamless access to apps like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. However, the 10-speaker Bose audio system was underwhelming compared to competitors' offerings.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Premium Package, boasted dual 12.3-inch displays and the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and various connected services. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package also included a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system, as an option.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a road sign reader and Predictive Driving Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with similar ratings in frontal and side-impact tests, and a three-star rollover resistance rating.