2024 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan presented a sophisticated exterior that many perceived as more premium compared to its non-European counterparts in the compact SUV category. The vehicle featured standard LED headlights and taillights, with an illuminated grille light line enhancing the front end of the SEL R-Line trim. This top-tier model also boasted silver roof rails, while lower trims had black ones. The rear design centered the model name in a stylish all-caps format, complemented by the classic Volkswagen badge. However, the color options were limited, especially for the base Tiguan S, which was only available in grayscale. The configurator on Volkswagen’s website posed challenges for those seeking specific combinations of interior and exterior colors, wheel sizes, and materials.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional SUV design with a focus on off-road capabilities. The base model, named the 1958, paid homage to the year the Land Cruiser was first sold in the US, featuring a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment. The more modern Land Cruiser trim provided a sophisticated appearance with additional color options and a more luxurious interior. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased Heritage Blue and Grayscape paint, 20-inch wheels, and an accessory roof rack. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was enhanced with Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, offering a technologically advanced feel.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive available for an additional $1,500 on lower trims and standard on the top trim. The AWD models featured a slightly larger fuel tank, accommodating the system's impact on fuel economy. The Tiguan's performance was a mixed experience, with inconsistent power delivery and a touchy gas pedal. However, it offered good visibility and handling, making it feel more maneuverable than expected for its size.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, was equipped with Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking differentials. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capabilities, featuring Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. However, its real-world fuel economy fell short of the official 23 mpg combined rating, achieving only 15.7 mpg during testing. Despite its impressive off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a versatile interior with seating for five in AWD models and seven in FWD versions. The two-row configuration provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. In the three-row setup, cargo space was reduced, but passenger space remained largely unaffected. The Tiguan's compact crossover design was one of the few in its class to offer a third row, providing a competitive edge over rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, in contrast, featured a more spacious interior with 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Premium Package added real leather upholstery and a power sunroof, enhancing comfort for front-seat passengers. However, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The high load floor height required extra effort when loading heavy items, but the overall cargo space was generous and practical for various needs.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with haptic touch slider buttons for climate control, which were responsive and easy to use. However, the physical volume knob integrated with the on/off button was less user-friendly. The infotainment system featured an 8-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the base Tiguan S had a smaller 6.5-inch screen. The Digital Cockpit System was standard across all trims, with the SEL R-Line offering a fully configurable 10.25-inch display. The nine-speaker Fender Premium Audio System was a highlight, providing excellent sound quality.

In comparison, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more advanced technology suite with two 12.3-inch displays in the upgraded trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, and digital key technology. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a conversational digital assistant, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan earned a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, and its safety features improved for 2024 with the standard inclusion of Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE suite. This included adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and emergency assist. Additional features like rain-sensing wipers, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection were also standard.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact testing but a three-star rollover resistance rating.