2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E was a standout with its Mustang-inspired design, setting it apart from typical crossover SUVs. Its front featured a familiar Mustang grille insert and squinting headlights, while the sculpted sides diverged into an SUV-like two-box shape. A sloped roofline gave it an SUV-coupe-like profile, reminiscent of the BMW X6, maintaining a sporty theme. At the rear, the Mach-E sported a roof spoiler and the iconic Mustang sequential three-bar taillights. Most models came with 19-inch alloy wheels, with the GT trim boasting 20-inch wheels. Dual hood stripes were available for a sportier look across all trims. The Rally trim added a black roof, black wheel arches, and dish-style wheels, with options for a taller rear spoiler and “Mach-E Rally” door graphics. Inside, synthetic leather mimicked the real thing, with contrast stitching on the doors, dash, and center console. The GT featured sport seats with bigger bolsters, while the Rally added aluminum pedals and “Mach-E Rally” logos. Ambient lighting enhanced the interior, except in the base Select trim.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model was identifiable by its round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim featured rectangular lamps and standard artificial leather upholstery. The upscale version also offered a broader color palette and more features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, targeted buyers desiring more luxury. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like two-tone paint, a Premium Package, and off-road enhancements, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the Land Cruiser emphasized function, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. The displays and switchgear mirrored those of the pricier Lexus GX, exuding quality despite a metallic echo when doors slammed.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup producing 264 horsepower and a 73-kilowatt-hour battery, providing 260 miles of range. Adding a second motor increased output to 325 hp but reduced range to 240 miles. An Extended Range battery was available, offering 320 miles with a single motor or 300 miles with dual motors, producing 325-370 horsepower. The Mach-E GT featured a dual-motor powertrain with 480 hp and 280 miles of range, while the Rally shared the same powertrain but with a 255-mile range. Our test vehicle, a Premium model with dual motors and the extended-range battery, delivered 370 hp, 500 pound-feet of torque, and 300 miles of range. The Mach-E's electric motors provided immediate torque, achieving 0-60 mph in under five seconds. The GT and Rally models offered even more power, with the GT hitting 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and the Rally in 3.4 seconds. The Mach-E's handling was agile, with a rear-drive bias and electronic torque vectoring enhancing its performance. However, the ride could be improved, especially in the rear, where it drummed over broken pavement.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder 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 fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined, but our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg during a heat wave and 18.1 mpg on a mountainous route. Off-road capabilities were impressive, with 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 wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and an optional front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Despite its weight, the i-Force Max powertrain provided adequate power, though it wasn't particularly quick. The Land Cruiser excelled off-road, easily navigating challenging trails, while its on-road performance was mostly agreeable, with a touchy brake pedal being a minor downside.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured a spacious interior, thanks to its longer wheelbase compared to gas-powered vehicles. It accommodated a couple or family like a typical compact or midsize two-row crossover, with good headroom and legroom in both rows. Power-adjustable front seats were standard, with options for heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims offered sportier seats with additional bolstering. Cargo space was practical, with 29.7 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. However, the sloping rear roof limited space compared to rivals like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. An optional 4.8-cubic-foot front trunk provided secure storage and could be used as a cooler.

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. Our test vehicle's Premium Package added genuine leather, memory settings, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser comfortably seated up to five people, with no third-row option. Storage was mixed, with a small center console cool box and cupholders unable to accommodate larger bottles. The upper trim level included a power liftgate, accessing a 46.2 cubic-foot cargo area. The liftover height was high due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement. Cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet, but the rear seat didn't fold flat, complicating the loading of bulky items.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E borrowed from Tesla with its large, 15.5-inch center touchscreen, which absorbed many controls and sat in a portrait orientation. A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster displayed basic information like range and speed. The Sync 4A software was somewhat outdated, with slow screen loading times, but it was easy to use and could be updated over the air. Buyers received a year of the Ford Connectivity package, including a 5G Wi-Fi hotspot, real-time navigation, and a voice assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a digital key. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with an optional 10-speaker B&O system available.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 came with a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle had the larger displays, wireless phone charging, and Toyota Connected Services. 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 to Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. Drive Connect, offering cloud-based navigation and concierge services, was free for three months in the higher-spec Land Cruiser. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with different data panels.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 Assist+ suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and more. Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system was standard for 90 days, with options for longer subscriptions. BlueCruise was a Level 2 driver-assistance system, capable of handling steering, throttle, and brakes on mapped highways. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs for extra safety. 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 NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser an overall safety rating of four stars, while the IIHS awarded mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.