2027 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2027 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was available in two distinct versions: the Land Cruiser 1958 and a higher trim level. The 1958 model was characterized 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 model catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, appealed to buyers desiring additional amenities. Our test vehicle, equipped with options like two-tone paint and a Premium Package, had an MSRP of $73,740. Inside, the cabin prioritized function over form, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. The displays and switchgear mirrored those of the more expensive Lexus GX, giving the Land Cruiser a quality feel, despite a slight metallic echo when doors were closed.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica received a facelift that not everyone appreciated. Above the base LX trim, the Pacifica featured a lit-up logo and sharper lighting, which some found less appealing than the previous design. The base LX retained a more reserved look, appealing to styling purists. The side profile remained unchanged, with new two-tone wheels adding visual interest. At the rear, a clean and modern light bar spanned the tailgate. The Pacifica maintained its handsome minivan appearance, sleeker than the Honda Odyssey and less aggressive than the Toyota Sienna. Inside, the cabin largely mirrored the previous year's refresh, with comfortable seats and thoughtful use of soft materials. However, lower areas featured more plastic, detracting from the overall refinement. The Pacifica's interior was practical, with features like driver seat memory and ample storage, though it could benefit from more matte finishes to maintain cleanliness.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, shared with the 4Runner and Tacoma. This system combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The EPA estimated 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, though our tests showed 20.3 mpg in hot conditions and 18.1 mpg on mountainous routes. The Land Cruiser boasted off-road capabilities 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 model offered additional off-road features and tire options. Despite its weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, though it wasn't particularly quick. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road scenarios, handling trails and descents with ease. In daily driving, it felt rugged but manageable, with some drivetrain clunks and a touchy brake pedal. It navigated urban environments well, aided by its boxy dimensions and camera systems, though it struggled with handling on winding roads.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica featured a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided ample power for the segment, outperforming the Toyota Sienna's four-cylinder hybrid. However, the engine's exhaust note was less refined, and the cabin wasn't well-insulated against noise. FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims except the base LX for an additional cost. The Pacifica's handling was composed, thanks to its low center of gravity and wide stance, though it struggled on rough pavement. The discontinuation of the plug-in hybrid left the V6 as the sole powertrain option, with EPA estimates of 19 city, 28 highway, and 22 combined for FWD, and slightly lower for AWD. Despite the V6's power, the Pacifica couldn't match hybrid minivans in fuel economy, with real-world tests falling short of EPA numbers. The Pacifica offered a unique combination of V6 power and AWD, but its refinement and fuel efficiency lagged behind competitors.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's 1958 model featured basic amenities, including manually adjustable front seats and cloth upholstery. The higher trim level offered power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, wrapped in SofTex artificial leather. Our test vehicle included the Premium Package, adding genuine leather, memory settings, heated and ventilated rear seats, and a power sunroof. The Land Cruiser accommodated up to five passengers comfortably, with no third-row option. Storage was mixed, with a small center console cool box and cupholders unable to hold larger bottles. The upper trim level included a power liftgate, providing access to a 46.2 cubic-foot cargo area, though the high liftover height and lack of a power-down rear window were drawbacks. The cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet, but the rear seat configuration made loading bulky items challenging.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica offered 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, the smallest among major minivans, but its deep, tub-like shape was practical for strollers and luggage. The Pacifica excelled in cabin reconfiguration, with third-row seats folding into the cargo area and Stow 'n Go seating allowing second-row seats to fold flat into the floor. While competitors offered more total cargo volume, the Pacifica's ease of use was unmatched. However, the Pinnacle trim sacrificed Stow 'n Go for power-adjustable second-row seats. Sliding side doors remained a key advantage, especially in tight spaces. Our Limited-trim tester featured second-row captain's chairs, providing ample legroom and usable third-row space. Storage was thoughtfully designed, with a ventilated wireless charging pad, USB-C ports, and a pass-through beneath the center console. The door panels offered a three-tier layout for efficient use of space.

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 included these larger displays, along with wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, 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 for Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. Drive Connect, offering cloud-based navigation and voice recognition, was free for three months on the higher-spec model. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with multiple data panels. The Intelligent Assistant performed well, except for occasional misinterpretations, and the Night mode was preferred for better visibility.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica retained fully analog gauges across all trims, with a tachometer and speedometer flanking a mid-size trip computer screen. While familiar, this layout felt outdated compared to rivals with digital displays. The main touchscreen was a 10.1-inch unit running Uconnect 5, standard across trims. It was well-integrated into the dash, but the graphics lacked polish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the built-in navigation was unremarkable. A standout tech feature was the blind-spot camera system, which activated with the turn signal, displaying a live view on the center screen. Physical climate controls were a highlight, with buttons for temperature and fan adjustments. Heated seats were standard, with ventilated seats available from the Limited trim, though dedicated buttons for these features would have been convenient.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors with low-speed braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist with automatic emergency stop capability. Proactive Driving Assist provided subtle braking and steering inputs, though it could be overly aggressive. Standard features also included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe-exit assist system. The Premium Package added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed ratings in specific tests. The IIHS gave it mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores, particularly in the updated moderate overlap frontal impact test.

The 2027 Chrysler Pacifica featured standard safety equipment, including full-speed forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, ParkSense rear park-assist with stop, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Enhanced Safety Sphere Package added a turn-signal-activated blind-spot camera and a ParkSense-activated front camera. Our Limited-trim tester included this package, and both features performed well. The Pacifica received a five-star rating from the NHTSA in 2026, though the 2027 model hadn't been rated yet. The IIHS gave it mixed ratings, with a Good score in the small-overlap front test and an Acceptable rating in the updated side crash test. However, it received a Marginal rating in the updated moderate-overlap front test, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation. Despite this, no minivan outperformed the Pacifica in that test, and the Honda Odyssey fared worse.