2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was tested in challenging conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, where a snowstorm deposited over two feet of snow. Despite the harsh weather, the Pathfinder, particularly in its Rock Creek trim, proved its mettle with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard all-wheel drive. The vehicle's adventurous design was complemented by its practical features, such as a metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch, although it lacked additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a comfortable experience with its leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and heated front seats, though it missed out on a heated steering wheel in the Rock Creek trim. The interior was generally well-received, with comfortable seating and solid material quality, though it didn't boast cutting-edge technology.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, available in two trims, offered a blend of retro and modern aesthetics. The base 1958 model featured a nostalgic design with round headlights and basic equipment, while the more upscale Land Cruiser trim provided a modern look with additional off-roading capabilities. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, showcased a sophisticated interior with leather upholstery and advanced technology. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was comfortable, especially with the Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens. However, the vehicle's paint options were limited to mostly neutral tones, and the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor, but its handling on twisty roads was less impressive.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Rock Creek trim offered a slight boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Despite the increased power, the Rock Creek's performance was tempered by its all-terrain tires. The Pathfinder's nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the vehicle's towing capacity reached up to 6,000 pounds with the right equipment. However, the Pathfinder's soft suspension led to a floaty ride on twisty roads, making it less composed than some competitors. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was modest, with an average of 20.8 mpg over a 200-mile evaluation. The Pathfinder's traction management system included seven drive modes, which effectively adjusted power delivery and transmission shift points for various conditions.

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 to produce 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. Despite an official EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing yielded only 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor enhancing its capabilities. However, its handling on twisty roads was less than ideal due to its tires and suspension tuning. The Land Cruiser's high seating position provided excellent visibility, and its off-road features, including a front stabilizer bar disconnect, made it a capable vehicle for rugged terrain.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while not offering as much cargo capacity as some competitors, provided ample interior space for real-world needs. During a three-day ski trip, the Pathfinder comfortably accommodated four adults and their gear. With the third row folded, cargo space expanded to 45 cubic feet, and with both the second and third rows down, it reached 80.5 cubic feet. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and supportive seats. The Rock Creek trim featured captain's chairs and a removable center console in the second row, while the EZ Flex Seating System allowed for easy access to the third row without removing car seats.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a comfortable interior, especially in the upgraded trim with SofTex artificial leather or real leather from the Premium Package. The front seats provided excellent support, but the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less practical, and the center console's cool box reduced storage space. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet behind the second row and 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's technology lagged behind some competitors, with an older infotainment system compared to other Nissans. The interface was user-friendly, with physical buttons and rotary knobs, but the screen sizes were smaller than those in rival vehicles. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo as standard, with an optional 13-speaker Bose system on higher trims. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the larger screen. Additional tech features included voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with navigation available only on higher trims.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in the upgraded trim, featured advanced technology with dual 12.3-inch displays. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Five connected service plans were available, including Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received high safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and Nissan's ProPilot Assist were standard on most trims, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving capabilities. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and Predictive Driving Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with varying scores in different crash tests.