2026 Hyundai Kona vs 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two trim levels, the 1958 and the Land Cruiser. The 1958 model, priced at $58,195, featured a retro design with round headlights and basic equipment, reminiscent of the year it was first sold in the US. The more modern Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, offered a sophisticated look with additional color options, a refined interior, and advanced off-roading capabilities. The Premium Package further enhanced the Land Cruiser with leather upholstery, larger screens, and a roof rack, bringing the total cost to $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more upscale than the 1958 model, featuring dual 12.3-inch digital screens and intuitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona was offered in four trim levels: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, and Limited, with prices ranging from $27,100 to $34,135. The Limited trim, with its Neoteric Yellow paint, was particularly eye-catching, priced at $36,375 with AWD. The Kona's interior was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, and offered a choice between Black or Grey interiors. The vehicle's technological sophistication was evident in its widescreen digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by traditional analog controls. However, the white control labels on a metallic background posed visibility issues during the day.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with 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. This power was delivered through a full-time 4WD system, allowing a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed a disappointing 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Monitor, but struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona offered two engine options. The SEL Premium and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 190 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base SE and SEL Sport trims had a less powerful 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower and a CVT. The turbocharged engine provided a more satisfying driving experience, with AWD improving ride quality. Fuel economy for the turbo ranged from 26 to 28 mpg, with real-world testing showing 26.4 mpg. The Kona's ride was firm over road irregularities, and the brakes showed signs of overheating during testing.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a utilitarian interior with SofTex artificial leather in the base model, while the Premium Package added real leather and a sunroof. The front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support. The rear cargo area provided 46.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona boasted a spacious interior with practical storage solutions. The Limited trim featured H-Tex artificial leather, power-adjustable front seats, and second-row air conditioning vents. The cargo area offered 25.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.7 cubic feet. The smart hands-free power liftgate was convenient but could open unintentionally.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured dual 12.3-inch displays with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and various connected services. The Premium Package added a JBL sound system, wireless charging, and a head-up display. The voice recognition system performed well, providing accurate navigation assistance.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona's Limited trim included two 12.3-inch screens, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Bluelink+ connected services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the digital key and Hyundai Pay added convenience. The Kona's voice assistant was responsive, and the vehicle featured a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Premium Package added front cross-traffic alert and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Limited trim added a Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist. The Kona received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.