2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic design, retained its classic boxy shape with a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured elements that paid homage to earlier models, such as the heritage grille and round headlights. The vehicle's lighting was updated to LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The interior offered a range of materials from cloth to real leather, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard across all trims. The cabin was designed for comfort, with cushy seats and padded consoles, allowing drivers to focus on the road without discomfort.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV appearance with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal and cabin placement contributed to its athletic look. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly designed with Nappa leather and polished metallic trim, though some materials reflected its competitive pricing. Despite its upscale appearance, the vehicle's ergonomics were criticized, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. However, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated feel compared to other midsize three-row SUVs.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the Multi-Terrain Select system, automatic limited-slip differential, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The updated CRAWL control function allowed for precise low-speed navigation over challenging terrain.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, with its turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine, delivered 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in the 3.3 Turbo models, and up to 340 hp with premium gas in the Turbo S variant. The power was managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system. The CX-90 offered various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior. The vehicle's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined, though real-world testing showed lower efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured 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 provided easy access to off-road features, and the cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space with a raised load floor. The vehicle came with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior, despite its elegant design, struggled with climate control efficiency. The 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim included Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and the second-row captain's chairs offered comfort, though space was limited for rear-facing child seats. The third row was best suited for children. The CX-90's cargo space measured 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 74.2 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system on higher trims, with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen display. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers. The base infotainment system had an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system and additional features like a head-up display.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard combined a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The infotainment system was touch-sensitive only with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, requiring the use of a knob and buttons for the native Mazda Connect platform. The vehicle's voice recognition system was lacking, but a new Google Built-in infotainment system was expected in future models. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its platform-mates had received favorable ratings. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. The Premium Package added features like lane-keep assist and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the PHEV model. It came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist and a surround-view camera system. The vehicle's driver aids were generally effective, though some features, like speed reduction, were criticized.