2025 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Mazda CX-30

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser was available 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 amenities. The more upscale Land Cruiser trim, priced at $62,965, boasted a modern look, a wider color palette, and a more luxurious interior with larger screens. It also included essential off-roading features and offered a Premium Package with leather and advanced tech. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, Heritage Blue paint, and additional accessories, had a total price of $71,004. Despite its utilitarian design, the Land Cruiser's interior was more refined than the 1958 model, featuring Java-colored leather and dual 12.3-inch digital screens, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 was offered in eight trim levels, all featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $27,870 to $39,395. Our test vehicle was the S Aire Edition, priced at $33,130, and included options like Aero Gray paint and a navigation system. The Aire Edition had a premium look with blacked-out exterior trim and white artificial leather upholstery. Aero Gray was a standout color choice, complementing the black details and upscale interior. The CX-30's control layout was well-designed, though the Mazda Connect infotainment system required a learning curve. Once accustomed, it was intuitive to use. The CX-30's overall design and features made it feel more expensive than its price suggested, offering a refined and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor. This setup delivered 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, with a full-time 4WD system and electronic locking differentials, allowing for a 6,000-pound towing capacity. Standard features included Downhill Assist Control and Crawl Control, with the higher trim adding Multi-Terrain Select modes and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. Despite an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, real-world testing showed 15.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser excelled as a daily driver and off-road vehicle, though it struggled 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-30 came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with higher trims offering a turbocharger. The standard engine produced 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged version delivered up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda’s i-Activ AWD system. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg combined for the standard engine and 25 mpg for the turbo. In testing, the naturally aspirated engine averaged 28.5 mpg. The CX-30’s standard drivetrain was lively, offering a satisfying driving experience compared to competitors. It featured G-Vectoring Control Plus for improved stability and a brake-based limited-slip differential for better traction. The CX-30 was engaging to drive, with precise steering and responsive brakes, making it enjoyable in various driving conditions. It also offered modest off-road capability with 8.0 inches of ground clearance and Off-Road Traction Assist.

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. Front seats were comfortable, but the second-row seats lacked support, and 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 reduced storage space. The Land Cruiser provided 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space, 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-30 had some limitations in practicality, with small door openings and a tight back seat for adults. The front seats were comfortable but snug, with only the driver’s seat offering height adjustment. The air conditioning struggled in hot weather and was loud. The back seat provided supportive cushions but limited space, with small door openings making access difficult. Storage space was decent, with a roomy center armrest bin and practical door pockets. The cargo area offered 20.2 cubic feet of space, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the smaller options in its segment.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, upgraded to dual 12.3-inch displays in the higher trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Five connected service plans were available, with Drive Connect offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL sound system, wireless smartphone charger, head-up display, and digital key technology.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30’s Mazda Connect infotainment system came with two screen sizes and varying functionality. The base S trim had an 8.8-inch display with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch screen with touchscreen functionality for these features. The system included Mazda Connected Services, providing emergency notification and remote access features. A 12-speaker Bose sound system was available in top trims, with SiriusXM only in the Turbo Premium Plus. The system’s native interface was controlled via a center console knob, which required adjustment but became intuitive over time. Voice recognition was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided better alternatives.

The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, though performance varied depending on conditions. Additional safety features included a road sign reader and blind-spot monitoring. 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.

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 offered impressive safety features, with standard systems like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The Turbo Premium Plus trim featured lane-centering assist and traffic support technology. The CX-30 received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS, with high ratings in most assessments.