2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was offered in two trim levels, with the base model named the 1958, a nod to the year it first hit the US market. This version had a retro aesthetic, featuring round headlights, cloth seats, and basic equipment, available in three paint colors. It was priced at $58,195, offering a nostalgic appeal but lacking some modern conveniences. The more upscale Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, presented a modern look with more color options, a refined interior, and essential off-roading features. The Premium Package added leather, larger screens, and more tech, elevating the MSRP to $71,004. The Land Cruiser's design emphasized off-road capability with a traditional two-box SUV shape, dark gray cladding, and an optional roof rack. Inside, it offered a utilitarian yet advanced cabin with dual 12.3-inch screens and intuitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 was praised for its striking design, showcasing Mazda's evolved Kodo design language, which gave it a sculpted and purposeful appearance. The front featured a Signature Wing grille and new LED headlights, while the rear had angular lighting, tying it to Mazda's larger models. A new "MAZDA" script badge replaced the traditional logo, enhancing its premium look. However, the wheel designs were underwhelming, with the base 17-inch wheels appearing small and the 19-inch options lacking intricate detailing. Inside, the CX-5 continued Mazda's tradition of high-quality interiors, with a clean dashboard, a prominent central touchscreen, and a driver-focused cockpit. The materials were mostly premium, though some hard plastics detracted from the upscale feel. The dimensional improvements provided more interior space, making it comfortable for taller passengers, and the cargo space was competitive, though not class-leading.

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 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, while the higher trim added Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed a disappointing 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road adventurer, though it struggled with handling on twisty roads due to its suspension tuning. It offered a high driving position with excellent visibility, making it easy to maneuver and park. Off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like the front stabilizer bar disconnect and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera views.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's performance was hampered by its carryover SkyActiv-G 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine felt underpowered for the vehicle's 3,856-pound weight. The 0-60 time of 9.6 seconds was the slowest in its segment, and the transmission struggled with responsiveness. The absence of the previous generation's turbocharged engine was notable, though a hybrid variant was planned for 2027. Despite the powertrain limitations, the CX-5 excelled in handling, with direct steering and well-managed body roll. The ride quality was firm yet comfortable, with improved insulation for reduced noise. The EPA rated it at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined mpg, which was low for the segment.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser offered an upgrade from cloth to SofTex artificial leather in the higher trim, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Premium Package added real leather and a power sunroof. While the front seats were comfortable, the second-row seats lacked thigh support and had an uncomfortable backrest angle. The running boards could be cumbersome for taller passengers. The rear window design was less practical compared to the 4Runner, and the center console's cool box was deemed unnecessary. The cargo space was generous at 46.2 cubic feet, expanding to 82.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, though the high load floor required effort to load heavy items.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 benefited from dimensional growth, providing a more spacious interior. The wheelbase stretch improved rear knee clearance, and rear headroom was class-leading at 40.2 inches without the sunroof. Front legroom was competitive, and rear legroom was adequate. Cargo space increased to 38 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. Larger door openings facilitated entry and exit, and the hands-free power liftgate added convenience. However, towing capacity decreased to 1,500 pounds, trailing competitors like the Tucson and Sportage.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured upgraded 12.3-inch displays for the driver and infotainment system, with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. 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, a wireless smartphone charger, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system was significantly improved, with a 12.9-inch touchscreen on most trims and a 15.6-inch unit on the Premium Plus. Google built-in provided native navigation, voice assistant, and app access, with a year's free data trial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster was standard, though its execution was lacking. The removal of the physical volume knob was a drawback, and the climate control interface was not intuitive. Higher trims added a Bose audio system, SiriusXM, a 360-degree View Monitor, and rear USB-C ports.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist provided semi-autonomous highway driving, though performance varied. Additional safety features included a road sign reader, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2026 Mazda CX-5 offered an extensive standard safety suite, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. The Premium Plus trim added advanced features like an adaptive front-lighting system and a 360-degree View Monitor. While crash test results were pending, the outgoing model had a strong safety record, and expectations were high for the new model. Mazda emphasized its commitment to safety, with most of its lineup earning top ratings from IIHS.