2027 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Kia Sportage

The 2026 Kia Sportage showcased a refreshed styling that gave it a more rugged, truck-like appearance, setting it apart from its competitors. The wide grille design, which pushed the headlights to the corners of the front fascia, was retained but became more rectangular, with vertical headlights and daytime running lights. This design aligned the Sportage with the larger Sorento and Telluride crossovers, enhancing its rugged appeal. However, the rear end remained curvaceous, creating a slight mismatch with the restyled front. The Sportage X-Pro model benefited the most from this refresh, with its off-road pretensions now visually distinct from other Sportage models. Inside, the Sportage featured a new steering wheel design reminiscent of early airbag-equipped wheels, and the dashboard's curved screen became more prominent due to the removal of large air vents. The materials used in the X-Pro test car were not luxurious but felt appropriate for an active lifestyle vehicle.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim level boasted rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The higher trim also offered more color options and additional features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 model catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the upmarket version, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers desiring more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with several options, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. The displays and switchgear were similar to those in the Lexus GX, giving the Land Cruiser a premium feel. Despite a thin metallic echo when closing doors, the Land Cruiser exuded quality in its construction and materials.

The 2026 Kia Sportage offered a range of powertrains, including conventional gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The base and hybrid powertrains were available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the plug-in hybrid was AWD-only. Non-hybrid models featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains used a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering 232 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque for hybrids, and 268 hp for plug-in hybrids. The X-Pro model, designed for off-road use, featured all-terrain tires and different drive-mode tuning, but its off-road capabilities came at the expense of everyday driving comfort. Ground clearance was consistent across all Sportage models at 8.3 inches.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive were standard, along with a 6,000-pound towing capacity. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. Ground clearance was 8.7 inches, with approach, breakover, and departure angles of 32, 22, and 23 degrees, respectively. The higher-spec Land Cruiser offered additional features like Multi-Terrain Select modes and a surround-view camera system. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided adequate power, and the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions. However, in daily driving, it felt more like a truck, with a touchy brake pedal and some drivetrain clunking.

The 2026 Kia Sportage's interior space remained competitive, with headroom and legroom comparable to key rivals. Rear-seat legroom was particularly generous, surpassing the Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Cargo space was 36.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 69.3 cubic feet with them folded, expandable to 39.6 and 74.1 cubic feet, respectively, by adjusting the cargo floor. The Sportage's towing capacity was 2,500 pounds for non-hybrid models and 2,000 pounds for hybrids. The center console offered ample storage, with a wireless charging pad, adaptable cupholders, and a large storage bin.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior varied between the 1958 model and the higher trim level. The 1958 featured manually adjustable cloth seats, while the higher trim offered power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. The Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, but lacked a third-row seat. Cargo space was 46.2 cubic feet, expandable to 82.2 cubic feet, but the high liftover height and lack of a flat surface made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2026 Kia Sportage came standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless phone charging on all but the base trim. A Harman Kardon audio system was standard on higher trims, and digital key functionality was available on X-Line and X-Pro models. The interface featured sharp graphics and large icons, but the screen-centric design required frequent swiping and complicated exiting from Android Auto. Some functions were doubled up on the same control panel, requiring attention to avoid mistakes.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's tech varied by trim level. The 1958 model had a 7-inch driver display and 8-inch touchscreen, while the higher trim featured 12.3-inch displays. Our test vehicle included wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a JBL audio system, digital rearview mirror, and head-up display. Five connected service plans were available, with varying subscription lengths. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the Intelligent Assistant occasionally misinterpreted commands.

The 2026 Kia Sportage boasted a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and parking sensors. Higher trims offered advanced systems like Highway Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. The Sportage received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ award and a five-star overall rating.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors. Additional features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and mixed ratings from IIHS, with some Marginal scores.