By William Byrd
Howdy hoons, it’s your friendly neighborhood car reviewer. Today, we’re going to take a look at the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser. Now, you may remember that I just reviewed a Land Cruiser in November. But it was the 1958 trim, and this is just the “Land Cruiser” (LC). This one starts at nearly $5,000 more than the other Cruiser, so this will focus on the differences and determine whether it’s worth the upgrade.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser: What’s the Same?
There are no major changes for the 2025 model year, which marks the second model year of the seventh-generation LC. However, you can no longer opt for the “First Edition,” a trim that was only available in the 2024 model year. If you browse through the Toyota website, you’ll notice that many significant features of each trim level are the same.
Both models come with the same “i-FORCE MAX” 2.4L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain, producing 326 net combined horsepower and a strong 465 lb.-ft. of torque. They feature the same eight-speed transmission, identical ground clearance, towing capacity (6,000 pounds), brakes, and suspension. The exterior and interior dimensions are the same, ensuring that cargo capacity, headroom, legroom, and hip room are consistent throughout.
Pricing starts at almost $56,500 for the 1958 and nearly $62,500 for the version Toyota dropped off for us to test.
Our tester has the Land Cruiser Premium Package, which adds another $4,600 to the bottom line. More on that in a bit. All in all, you’re looking at nearly $70,000 out the door. As a reminder, our last LC tester was $59,979, making this just over $10,000 more. Let’s explore some of the differences and see if it’s worth the upgrade.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser: Exterior & Mechanical Upgrades
As noted above, both versions of the 2025 Land Cruiser have mostly the same mechanical components. The (non-1958) Land Cruiser clearly features a different front-end design with rectangular LED headlights, while the rear remains largely unchanged.
Personally, I prefer the look of the 1958, but the trim I just drove still looks good. Other exterior changes are minimal and include a set of 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels (compared to the 18-inch dark gray metallic on the 1958), a set of Rigid Industries LED color-selectable fog lights, roof rails, and running boards. The Premium package also adds illuminated entry with illuminated running boards.
Mechanically, our Land Cruiser features a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system that allows you to cycle through settings for dirt, sand, mud, rock, and deep snow (as well as an “auto” setting). You can also opt for an additional Stabilizer Disconnect Mechanism.
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser: Interior and Tech Upgrades
Inside, you will discover more significant differences between the two trim levels. The most noticeable differences are the leather seats, which were technically part of the Premium Package. The 1958 is available only with black fabric seats, while our LC started with upgraded heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed power-adjustable seats before the upgrade.
Other standard bits on the inside of our LC include a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel and some floor liners. Of course, our car came with some additional upgrades beyond the leather seats, such as the power moonroof and center console cooler.
From a technological perspective, the most significant difference between the two trim levels is the larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver (compared to seven inches in the 1958) and an added 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (compared to eight inches). The previously mentioned Premium Package includes several tech upgrades, including:
- Digital Key
- 14-speaker JBL® audio, including subwoofer and amplifier
- Digital rearview mirror
- Qi-compatible wireless charging
- Head-Up Disolay (HUD)
The package also adds driver aides like Lane Change Assist (LCA), Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA), and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA).
So, is the Higher Trim Worth it?
Sort of, yes. The initial $5,000 premium beyond the 1958 makes sense. It offers some comfort and tech upgrades that seem worth the cost of admission. After adding nearly another $5,000 for the Premium Package, I found that the 2025 Land Cruiser experience was…still mostly the same. The upgraded seats are nice, but the additional features in the package didn’t significantly improve the experience.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you want your Land Cruiser to achieve. Are you an off-roader seeking a fun daily driver that can get muddy on weekends? In reality, if the most off-roading your Cruiser will experience involves hopping a curb during the school run or at the mall, you don’t need all the fancy drive modes.
If you’re a current or former Wrangler, Bronco, or 4Runner owner, the 1958 LC will feel like a major upgrade. It offers impressive power, plenty of interior space, and looks fantastic. If you’re coming from a more typical crossover, the Land Cruiser may feel a bit more truck-like than you’re accustomed to. Either way, make sure to take a long test drive and examine both trim levels to find out which one best suits your needs.