Toyota Land Cruiser vs Toyota Sequoia

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia presented a robust and family-oriented design, sharing its ladder-frame platform with the Tundra pickup. Its tall and wide stance, coupled with blocky features, gave it a commanding presence. The front showcased a large black grille, more contained than the Tundra's, with blacked-out elements confined within the grille. The sides featured a stepped shoulder line from the tall hood to the front doors, with pronounced haunches over the wheels, and black wheel flares on all models except the top Capstone trim, which opted for body-colored flares. The rear was marked by a standard spoiler and tailgate Sequoia lettering, with wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin continued the chunky design with large dials suitable for gloved hands. The TRD Pro model emphasized utility over luxury, featuring black synthetic leather upholstery with a camouflage pattern, TRD Pro embroidery, and red contrast stitching. While soft-touch surfaces adorned parts of the interior, hard plastics were prevalent, reinforcing its utilitarian feel.

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 artificial leather upholstery. The upmarket version also boasted a broader color palette and additional features. Starting at $59,775, the 1958 catered to those seeking a basic yet functional vehicle, while the higher trim, priced from $64,620, appealed to those 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 prioritized function, with the Premium Package adding soft leather upholstery and generous padding. The displays and switchgear mirrored those of the pricier Lexus GX, offering a sense of quality. Despite a metallic echo when doors slammed, the Land Cruiser's construction and materials exuded quality.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia transitioned from a V8 to a hybrid powertrain, known as i-Force Max, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor added 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, drawing power from a 1.87-kWh battery pack. The engine delivered a V8-like experience, with strong acceleration and a 0–60 mph time of about six seconds. The Sequoia could tow up to 9,520 pounds, aided by a haul mode and optional Tow Tech package. However, the large towing mirrors were cumbersome, obstructing views at intersections. Handling was typical for a full-size SUV, with body lean in corners and slow steering. The TRD Pro model featured an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox coil-overs and shocks, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sequoia's ride quality was generally good, with the TRD Pro's tires absorbing bumps effectively. Off-road features included a part-time 4WD system, low-range gearing, and various drive modes, supported by a surround-view camera system.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser shared its i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with the 4Runner and Tacoma, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The EPA estimated 23 mpg combined on premium fuel, though our test vehicle averaged 20.3 mpg in hot conditions and 18.1 mpg on a mountainous route. The Land Cruiser boasted off-road capabilities with 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 wider tires, Multi-Terrain Select modes, and an optional front stabilizer bar disconnect system. Despite its weight, the powertrain provided adequate performance, though it wasn't particularly quick. Off-road, the Land Cruiser excelled, navigating challenging trails with ease. In daily driving, it absorbed bumps well but exhibited some drivetrain clunk and a touchy brake pedal. The Land Cruiser handled urban environments adeptly, aided by its dimensions and surround-view cameras, though it struggled on winding roads with noticeable body roll and wind noise.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia, a full-size SUV, accommodated seven or eight passengers. The first row featured eight-way power seat adjustments and two-way power lumbar adjustments, though the seats were too flat for long-trip comfort. Headroom and legroom were ample, with heated front seats standard and ventilation available on most trims. The Platinum and Capstone trims also offered ventilated second-row seats. Second-row comfort was commendable, especially with captain’s chairs, and the Sequoia's width allowed for three passengers across the second and third rows. The third row provided enough space for adults up to six feet tall on short trips, though low seat bottoms compromised comfort. Cargo space was both a strength and a weakness, with 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.5 cubic feet with seats moved forward. Folding the third row increased space to 49 cubic feet, and with the second row folded, it reached 86.9 cubic feet. However, the third row didn't fold flat, and rivals offered more cargo space and user-friendly load floors. A cargo shelf helped level the floor.

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 five, with no third-row option. Storage was mixed, with a small optional 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 high liftover height was due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement. Cargo space expanded to 82.2 cubic feet, though the rear seat didn't fold flat, complicating the loading of bulky items.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 14-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The instrument cluster displayed trip information, fuel economy, and more, while the 14-inch touchscreen offered shortcuts to wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and vehicle settings. Standard tech features included satellite radio, an eight-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Safety Connect. Options included a head-up display, a 120-volt outlet, a wireless phone charger, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. The climate controls and drive mode selector were easily accessible.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958 featured a 7-inch digital driver display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The higher trim level offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Our test vehicle included 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 to Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. Drive Connect offered cloud-based navigation and voice recognition, free for three months on the higher-spec model. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with data panels.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia had mixed crash-test results from the IIHS, with Good scores in some tests and Marginal in others. The safety systems performed well during testing, though the large tow mirrors posed visibility challenges. Toyota did not offer a hands-free highway driving system.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors. It also included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety, though it could be overly aggressive. Standard features 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 NHTSA gave the Land Cruiser a four-star overall safety rating, with mixed results in specific tests. The IIHS awarded mostly Good ratings, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.