2027 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2026 Mazda CX-50

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered a range of models, including the 2.5 S, 2.5 Turbo, and Hybrid, each with various trim levels. The top-spec 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus model featured new white leather seats and a retractable cargo cover, bringing its price to $44,920. The CX-50's design was wide and low-slung, resembling a lifted wagon more than an SUV, with 8.6 inches of ground clearance. Its sporty styling, flared fenders, and appealing paint colors, including the new Cypress green, added to its visual appeal. The interior boasted a white leather option that contrasted sharply with the black dashboard, creating an upscale look. However, the gloss-black plastic on the center console was prone to dust and scratches, and the center air vent was poorly integrated.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came in two versions: the basic Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim had rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The higher trim also offered more color options and features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a functional vehicle, while the upmarket version, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers wanting more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like two-tone paint, a Premium Package, and off-road features, had an MSRP of $73,740. The cabin emphasized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and technology upgrades. The Land Cruiser's construction exuded quality, though a thin metallic echo was noted when doors were closed.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with AWD, available in naturally aspirated, turbocharged, or hybrid forms. The base 2.5 S produced 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed automatic transmission and driving modes like Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. It achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg combined and could tow up to 2,000 pounds. The turbocharged version offered 227 hp on regular gas and 256 hp on premium, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. However, its real-world fuel economy was lower than expected, averaging 22.1 mpg in mixed driving. The hybrid model, with 219 hp, provided better fuel efficiency at 38 mpg combined but lacked mid-range passing power. The CX-50's steering was crisp, and the suspension offered firm body control, though it could be stiff over bumps. The Meridian Edition was best for off-roading, but the CX-50 excelled in on-road driving.

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 deliver 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The EPA rated it at 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, but real-world testing showed 20.3 mpg in mixed driving. The Land Cruiser boasted off-road capabilities with features like center and locking rear differentials, hill-start and hill-descent assist, and Crawl Control. It had 8.7 inches of ground clearance and impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles. The higher-spec model offered wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and a surround-view camera system. Despite its weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, and the Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions. In daily driving, it felt rugged but handled urban environments well, though wind noise was noticeable on highways.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 offered easier entry and exit than a sedan but sat lower than many crossovers, affecting visibility. The front seats were firm, with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, but the air conditioning struggled in hot weather. Rear-seat legroom was acceptable, with good thigh support and amenities like USB ports and heated seats. Storage space was decent but could have been improved with additional trays and shelves. The cargo area provided 31.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model featured manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery, 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, and heated rear seats. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five people comfortably, with no third-row option. Storage was mixed, with a small center console cool box and cupholders that couldn't hold larger bottles. The power liftgate revealed a 46.2 cubic-foot cargo area, expandable to 82.2 cubic feet, though the high liftover height and lack of a flat load floor posed challenges.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 featured clear gauge displays with a 7-inch screen for data panels. A 10.25-inch infotainment screen offered sophisticated graphics but limited touchscreen functionality to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Mazda Connect system required acclimation, with a control knob and buttons on the center console. Alexa built-in and a Mazda Connect voice assistant were available, though the latter struggled with basic commands. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, and higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bose sound system. A head-up display and surround-view camera system were available on select models.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model came with a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen, along with wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system, a digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display. Five connected service plans were available, with complimentary subscriptions for some. The Intelligent Assistant worked well, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The infotainment system was user-friendly, lacking a home screen but offering programmable data panels.

The 2026 Mazda CX-50 came equipped with the i-Activesense suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and more. Premium models added features like traffic-sign recognition and adaptive front lighting. The Turbo Premium Plus model included a surround-view camera system and additional safety features. The NHTSA awarded the CX-50 a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ award, though it received a Poor rating in a new whiplash prevention test.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety, though it could be overly aggressive. The Premium Package added lane-change assist and Traffic Jam Assist. The NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser a four-star overall rating, with mixed scores in various tests. The IIHS awarded mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores, particularly in the updated moderate overlap frontal impact test.