2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Cadillac XT5

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 aimed to deliver affordable luxury by incorporating high-end materials, advanced technology, and a robust engine, all while maintaining a reasonable price. However, the cabin's design seemed more fitting for a Buick or a high-end Chevy rather than a luxury brand like Cadillac. Despite this, the interior was well-organized and spacious, offering ample room in both seating rows. The XT5's cargo space was notably generous, with 30 cubic feet available behind the second-row seats, which helped offset some of its interior shortcomings. Cadillac's decision to retain many physical controls provided an intuitive user experience, although it contributed to a somewhat dated cabin feel. The XT5 offered good headroom and legroom, with options for a panoramic sunroof and genuine leather upholstery in higher trims, enhancing its appeal.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its iconic boxy design and flat roof, paid homage to its predecessors while incorporating modern elements. Each of the three trims featured details reminiscent of past models, such as the heritage grille and round headlights. The Land Cruiser's lighting was fully LED, aligning with contemporary standards, and higher trims included color-selectable fog lights. The vehicle's beltline was lowered for improved visibility, and it came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available. The First Edition trim boasted additional off-road gear, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a range of seating materials, from cloth in the base trim to real leather in the First Edition. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding features like a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The cabin emphasized comfort, with cushy seats and padded surfaces, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain ahead.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The XT5's acceleration from 0-60 mph was in the high-seven-second range, but the engine could sound rough under heavy throttle. An available V6 engine provided 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, offering a more suitable performance, though the XT5 lacked driving excitement with either engine. Handling was decent, but ride quality suffered on uneven surfaces, with noticeable cabin vibrations and noise. Compared to rivals, the XT5 fell short in performance, lacking the driving dynamics of the Porsche Macan S or the refinement of the BMW X3. The XT5's EPA-rated fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city to 29 mpg highway with the turbo-four and FWD, while the V6 and AWD combination offered 18/25 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 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 came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's 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 vehicle also offered a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, enhancing off-road articulation. Toyota's CRAWL control function, with five speed settings, managed braking and acceleration over challenging terrain, operating silently. The transmission was unobtrusive, allowing drivers to focus on navigating difficult courses.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's interior featured more hard plastics and cheaper materials than expected, but it offered plenty of useful storage spaces. The center console storage bin was deeper than anticipated, and front-seat ergonomics were well-designed for easy access. The rear seats provided less storage, but passengers had access to large seatback pockets and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The XT5's cargo space was generous, with 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was competitive in its class, surpassing the Porsche Macan and Genesis GV70 in cargo capacity.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, offered 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, with controls for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and differential lockers. The wireless charging pad was conveniently located, and the Premium Package included a center console cool box. The rear liftgate opened to a cargo area with a raised load floor, offering 37.5 cubic feet of space. The cargo area included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 featured the CUE infotainment system, offering an intuitive interface with crisp graphics on an 8-inch touchscreen. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and dual-zone climate controls. The system could be controlled via a rotary controller, voice commands, or the touchscreen. A Bose premium audio system with 14 speakers, wireless charging, and navigation were available. Cadillac retained physical buttons for climate and steering wheel controls, providing a user-friendly experience compared to rivals with touch-based systems.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on higher trims, which utilized 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 featured an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5's last full crash test results were from the 2021 model, which earned top "Good" scores in crash tests but missed a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to a "Marginal" headlight score. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and a Driver Assist Package with adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's safety reputation provided some confidence. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist and front cross-traffic alert, with traffic jam assist available via subscription.