2024 Cadillac LYRIQ vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a striking vehicle with a design that commanded attention. Its exterior styling was reminiscent of a long sedan, despite being an SUV, with a long hood and low ground clearance. The design drew inspiration from the classic Seville, featuring a long wheelbase, short tail, and wide track. The front of the LYRIQ was adorned with vertical light bars and nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking. The grille varied between trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's wraparound taillights and vertical fender lights created a bold visual statement, while the interior boasted luxurious details like leather-wrapped seats and a sweeping 33-inch OLED display.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser embraced a more traditional SUV design with a focus on utility and off-road capability. The base model, known as the 1958, featured a retro look with round headlights and basic equipment. The more upscale Land Cruiser trim offered a modern appearance with additional colors and a refined interior. The Land Cruiser's utilitarian design was complemented by features like a roof rack and dark gray cladding, emphasizing its rugged nature. Inside, the Land Cruiser provided a comfortable driving experience with a focus on practicality, although the second-row seats lacked comfort for long journeys. The vehicle's high load floor and limited interior storage were notable drawbacks.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ delivered a smooth and comfortable ride, excelling on highways with its calm demeanor and impressive power. The dual-motor powertrain in the test vehicle produced 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, offering continuous all-wheel drive. The standard setup featured a single rear motor with 340 horsepower. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, resulting in understeer and uninspiring steering feel. The regenerative braking system was a welcome feature, but the overall chassis performance left room for improvement. The LYRIQ's range was slightly below Cadillac's claims, and charging speeds were inconsistent.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota's i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor for a total output of 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The full-time four-wheel-drive system and off-road features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhanced its off-road capabilities. However, the Land Cruiser's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, with real-world testing yielding 15.7 mpg. While the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road scenarios, its handling on twisty roads was less impressive due to its suspension tuning and tire setup. The vehicle's powerful and responsive feel was somewhat deceptive, as acceleration tests revealed modest performance.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in terms of build quality and functionality. Misaligned rear fenders, a malfunctioning charging port, and a problematic pull-out tray were notable issues. The floating center console lacked practicality, and the glovebox was inconvenient to access while driving. Despite these drawbacks, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom, with a spacious back seat. However, its cargo space was limited compared to other midsize SUVs, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser provided a more practical interior, especially in the upgraded trim with SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. The Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked support and comfort. The Land Cruiser's rear window design was less than ideal, and the center console's cool box seemed unnecessary. The vehicle offered 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The Super Cruise system provided an excellent hands-free driving experience, and the 19-speaker AKG stereo delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser upgraded its displays to two 12.3-inch screens with the Premium Package, offering a sophisticated appearance. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect feature provided cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a JBL premium sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. It came standard with forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and rear emergency braking.

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