2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade distinguished itself with a bold and unmistakable design, moving away from the rugged off-roader styling cues that many competitors adopted. Its angular and technical look, introduced in the 2023 refresh, replaced the previous chubby-cheeked face, sparking mixed reactions but generally appreciated for its upscale appearance. Inside, even the base SE trim offered a clean and modern look, with higher trims like the Calligraphy featuring premium materials such as leather and artificial suede. Despite some hard-to-read metallic-surface control markings, the Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details, including USB charging ports in the front seatbacks and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. The Palisade was available in seven trim levels, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a more traditional and utilitarian design, with the base 1958 model featuring a retro look reminiscent of its early years. The more modern Land Cruiser trim provided a sophisticated appearance with additional off-roading hardware and software. The interior of the Land Cruiser was utilitarian, with traditional switchgear and a focus on functionality. The Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof, enhancing the cabin's appeal. However, the rear window design and center console's cool box were seen as drawbacks. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a maximum of 82.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. The Land Cruiser's pricing started at $58,195 for the 1958 model and $62,965 for the Land Cruiser trim, with our test vehicle reaching $71,004 with options.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, though our tests recorded slightly lower figures. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but softened at higher speeds, handling speed humps impressively. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the automatic transmission delivering silky shifts. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving dynamics remained competitive, though it was not the most fuel-efficient option in its class.

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. It had a full-time 4WD system with electronic locking differentials and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser's EPA rating was 23 mpg combined, but our tests showed a lower 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, it struggled on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. The Land Cruiser was powerful and responsive in daily driving, but its handling was best suited for slow and steady driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious interior with three rows of seats, accommodating up to eight passengers. Our test vehicle featured a seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain's chairs. The Calligraphy trim included Nappa leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, with good thigh support and legroom. The third-row seat was also heated, a rarity in this segment. The Palisade provided generous storage space, with a Smart Liftgate for easy access. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior featured SofTex artificial leather in the base model, with real leather available in the Premium Package. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a maximum of 82.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded. The high load floor height required effort when loading heavy items.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology was functional but starting to show its age compared to newer Hyundai models. It featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though smartphone connectivity required a cable. The system included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ connected services. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera system for parking assistance.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded from the 1958 model's smaller displays to two 12.3-inch screens with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to music accounts. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charging, a head-up display, and digital key technology. The voice recognition system was effective, and the cloud-based navigation system provided accurate directions.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist. The Palisade SEL added an ultrasonic rear occupant alert system, while the Calligraphy model featured automatic parking braking and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 but missed the accolade in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars for frontal impact and four stars for rollover resistance.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and lane-change assist. Our experience with Toyota's ADAS varied, with some features proving useful while others were less reliable. 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.