2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic design, retained its boxy shape and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured elements that paid homage to earlier models, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the base and top trims, and rectangular ones on the mid-grade trim. All lighting was updated to LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The higher trims boasted color-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. The lowered beltline improved visibility, and the First Edition trim came with additional off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while the mid-grade offered SofTex, and the First Edition featured real leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated seats. The cabin emphasized comfort with cushy seats and padded consoles, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain ahead.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking the start of its third generation. It adopted a sleek, modern look inspired by VW's electric vehicles, particularly noticeable in the front with narrower headlights and a plastic trim element reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The top SEL R-Line trim featured an illuminated VW badge and light bar. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The side profile showcased a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The rear featured a single bar taillight spanning the liftgate, with an oversized plastic trim piece echoing the front grille. The interior modernization included a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel. The dashboard was more minimalist, with climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space. Materials quality was average, with soft-touch materials in contact areas and durable plastics in the rear seats.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, tested on an off-road course, showcased its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 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 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on mid-tier and First Edition models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. Standard features included an automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and center-locking differentials. The middle and top trims offered a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, enhancing off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function provided low-speed cruise control with five speed settings, operating silently over challenging terrain.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, while Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive was available on all models and standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with confident highway acceleration. The braking system provided a smooth stop, and the suspension favored comfort while maintaining composure on winding roads. The cabin was quiet, with minimal tire and wind noise. The Tiguan was not sporty but was appropriately tuned for a mix of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

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, and legroom at 33.0 inches front and 26.7 inches rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, with hard controls for climate and media placed below the infotainment screen. A wireless charging pad was available, and the center console cool box was part of the Premium Package. The rear liftgate opened to a cargo area with a raised load floor, offering 37.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. It included a 120-volt AC outlet, USB-C ports, and illumination.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons improved usability, with traditional controls on the steering wheel. Outward visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently large rear window. The center console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller, with an angled liftgate limiting bulkier object loading. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system on higher trims, with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen display. MTM activated automatically at low speeds, aiding 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 had an 8-inch display and six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system or an upgrade to the First Edition's 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with a wireless phone charger in the center armrest bin. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the infotainment screen frame, but a new volume knob on the center console improved usability. The Atmospheres feature combined ambient lighting with audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system included remote monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided confidence in its safety. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor. Emergency Assist and post-collision braking were also included. The SE R-Line added a head-up display, while the top SEL R-Line featured a surround-view camera system, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system.