WATCH: Off-road mega test - what's the best 4x4?

We may not be in the same league as the indigenous peoples of North America when talking about snow, or those of the Middle East about sand.
Clag, clart, gunk, mire, ooze – call it what you will, it seems we are notorious global experts on it. And we're looking at the full glorious spectrum of it today, in an old Rutland limestone quarry criss-crossed with tracks and paths.
This is exactly the kind of place we need to be to settle a question posed by the arrival of the new, J250-generation Toyota Land Cruiser.
Here and now, which is the best, toughest and most capable road-legal, dual-purpose off-roading 4x4 on sale? We tested it against the Ineos Grenadier and Land Rover Defender to find out - watch the video above for our definitive verdict.
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Forbes

2 days ago

• Forbes

Three Ruggest 2025 SUVS, Tested

Love 'em or hate 'em, SUVs are here to stay and if you've got a brood, a trade or otherwise love that king-of-the-road flavor, here are three worthy big guys I've recently tested. None are cheap, but all are worth the coin and can not only dish it out, but take it, too. 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser The 2025 Land Cruiser combines the best of what fans love about SUVs - it's great-looking, it's big but not gargantuan and it takes off like a shot. Its mileage is even decent for an SUV at 23 MPG city/highway combined. After apparently disappearing from the U.S. market, the Toyota Land Cruiser made its return in 2024 with a new design, modern features, and a downsized body. There are no updates for 2025, but the First Edition trim has been discontinued. My tester, the Wagon Hybrid, starts at $61,470, topping out at $70,164 with all options and delivery charge. 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser The interior of the 2025 Land Cruiser leans more rugged-chic than ultra-luxury—expect plush leather or SofTex-trimmed seats in higher trims, with heated and ventilated fronts, soft-touch surfaces and wood or contrast stitching accents. The cockpit features a modern infotainment setup—either an 8‑inch or available 12.3‑inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto—surrounded by straightforward, durable controls ideal for off‑road life. It's a cozy, well‑appointed cabin that blends comfort with functional toughness. All trims come equipped with Toyota's newest infotainment system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C charging ports, and a wireless phone charging pad. Buyers can also opt for a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system and onboard Wi-Fi for added convenience and entertainment. The 2025 Land Cruiser uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 326 horsepower. It pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system that includes a locking center differential, low-range gearing, crawl control and hill-descent control. That takes some of the rock-and-roll away from your off-roading, but it's still a rollicking ride in the dirt or gravel. Though torque delivery is strong, the small battery limits electric boost at times. Ride quality is smooth and noticeably quieter than rivals. Cargo space is generous for the segment, with room for 17 carry-on suitcases behind the rear seats and up to 31 when the second row is folded down. 2025 Lexus GX 500 The 2025 Lexus GX 550 may be one of the most perfect SUVs Lexus has ever made. It's large but not elephantine. Its body corners are sharp and tight, each with definable beginnings and endings, unlike the bloblike appearance of some SUVs. It's got three rows of seats and should feel like a Brontosaurus, but the drive is loose and nimble. Let's have a look. The GX got the go-over snout to tail last year, with six grades on the menu - Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+ (my tester), Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The estimated MSRP for my tester, as equipped, is $84,395. It's about as 2025 as it gets with its stylish triple-beam LED headlamps, smart LED foglamps, outside mirrors with puddle lamps and automatic power-extending running board. (The kiddos always love those, as do those of shorter stature.) Also included are a power rear door with kick Sensor, tow hitch receiver and a dynamic SkyTM panorama glass roof. It looks elegant but also ready-for-business, and I liked it as soon as I saw it despite its vaguely Land Rover-ish flavor. 2025 Lexus GX 500 It's got a soothing, muted interior, elegantly appointed furnishings and feels like fine hotel, in a good way. What I especially appreciated was that anything I could think of to look for was there, like adjusting my seat quickly to an ideal position, choosing different engine modes when it occurred to me, paddle shifters which I didn't know where there but which worked incredibly well, and more. I would feel comfortable picking up a VIP, beloved family or other important passengers in the GX because of its quiet, its plushness and comfy seats. A 14-inch touchscreen display, multiple USB-C connection ports and a charging table come with. The climate system worked as it should and the sound of the Mark Levinson® 21-speaker Premium Surround Sound System was sweetly sublime. I was frustrated, however, as I have been with so many Lexii, with my inability to quickly suss what did what in the guts of the software. I have now spent several days with the vehicle so I can make the tech do as I wish, but it took us a while to get there. Inside, it's a pleasure to either drive or to hang out in with a book or a laptop or a partner. You roll on 22-in. x 7.5-in. six-twin-spoke alloy wheels with Dark Gray Metallic and machined finish. A limited-slip locking differential comes with, assisting in off-road or snowy endeavors. The outgoing V-8's been replaced with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pounds-feet of torque. It's plenty powerful - you can tow up to 6,655 pounds - but mileage is a fairly feeble 16 MPG in urban areas, 20 highway, 16 combined. A hybrid is coming, says Lexus. The 10-speed automatic shift is silk-smooth, and 4WD is standard, all the time. Driving modes are ECO, Comfort, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom. I made jaunts of about 50 miles as soon as I got the vehicle and was immediately impressed with the sharpness of all controls from pedal to steering to braking as I rolled through towns and highways. I kept it in 'ECO' mode as much as I could but I was also in a fair hurry and I love to mash pedal, so there went my mileage. That said, it's a pleasure to drive a vehicle that can respond in kind to your wishes, especially a big guy like this. I was surprised at how elegant the vehicle looked as I emerged from stores, rather than ferocious, because I felt ferocious in the GX. Visibility was particularly good. The third-row seats are best for children, not grown adults. 2025 Nissan Armada The 2025 Nissan Armada sheds some of its dated styling with a fresh, squared-off design that's both modern and imposing. At over 209 inches long and nearly 5,900 pounds, it's a full-size beast with bold new LED lighting, a massive grille, and sculpted metal that screams presence on the road. Inside, the redesign pays off with upscale materials, optional massaging front seats, and real upgrades to comfort and finish. Twin 14.3-inch screens dominate the dash, running Google Built-In and paired with a Klipsch 12-speaker audio system, wireless charger, and available second-row captain's chairs. It's far more refined than past models and offers seating for up to eight. Under the hood, that new V6 delivers strong numbers but don't expect a hybrid or electric version just yet. Fuel economy is rated at 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway in 2WD models, but it's a slight improvement over the previous V8's figures and real-world drivers are reporting closer to 17–18 mpg combined. 2025 Nissan Armada The new turbocharged V6 replaces the old V8, delivering strong acceleration with a slightly improved fuel economy of up to 20 mpg highway. Steering is light, ride quality is plush, and acceleration feels surprisingly quick for something this size. It's still a big truck underneath, but handling is tidy and highway cruising is serene. Massive, handsome and much more refined than before, the 2025 Armada is a luxury cruise ship on wheels. Just don't expect class-leading cargo space behind the third row—or a hybrid badge anytime soon.

Miami Herald

13-06-2025

• Miami Herald

Toyota Unleashes the Most Powerful Land Cruiser Ever But Not For America

Introduced in the 1950s, the Toyota Land Cruiser range has become a global icon, and rightfully so. Its go-anywhere and imposing demeanor has become its calling card and is among the toughest and most recognizable vehicles on the planet. From the Toyota Jeep BJ, the Land Cruiser has evolved into several shapes and forms, with the heavy-duty series Station Wagon line serving as the most versatile versions at the top of the range. In the US, the 200 series was the final heavy-duty Land Cruiser, leaving the lineup for the light-duty Land Cruiser 250, also known in other markets as the Land Cruiser Prado. But it seems like America is missing out, as the Land Cruiser 300 series has now evolved into the inevitable – it has become a hybrid, officially turning into the most powerful Land Cruiser to date. Initially launching in the Middle East, the Land Cruiser Hybrid is powered by a 3.5-liter dual VVT-i V35A-FTS V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine that works in concert with a parallel hybrid system. The whole system produces a total of 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The system is mated to a 10-speed nickel-metal hybrid battery. That makes it the most powerful LC to date, with a pulling power that surpasses even the diesel variant sold in select markets. To differentiate from the non-hybrid Land Cruiser 300, the hybrid model gets black fog lamp housings, along with HEV and 457 TT badges to indicate the top-of-the-line electrified output numbers. Color options include black, white, and silver, while the sportier-looking GR Sport trim is solely available in black. Inside, the black and red theme is the sole option in the Middle East for now for the leather upholstery. It appears that Toyota Middle East has removed the non-hybrid options in the region, leaving buyers with two choices: the GR Sport Hybrid or the VXR Hybrid. According to the configurator, the estimated delivery date of the electrified Land Cruiser is this September. While the US is missing out on the Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid, American fans can opt for something more luxurious while still benefiting from the added performance and efficiency of a hybrid powertrain. We're talking about the Lexus LX 700h, which has the same setup as the newly introduced Land Cruiser 300 Hybrid. It's a bit pricey, though, with a starting price of $115,350, including on-road charges. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Yahoo

09-06-2025

• Yahoo

This New Howler Brothers x Toyota Land Cruiser Collab is Perfect

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You've probably heard of Howler Brothers, the Austin, Texas-based lifestyle brand known for its fun and innovative outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories. Today, Howler Bros. launches its latest capsule collection celebrating the iconic go-anywhere, do-anything Toyota Land Cruiser. This official collaboration features co-branded clothing and accessories specially designed to honor the pioneer spirit of the iconic off-road vehicle, including Howler Bros.' trademark snap-front shirts, caps, shorts, and other lifestyle clothing and accessories. It's Howler Brothers' largest co-branded capsule drop to date, and infuses the brand's rich Costa Rican history with its well-known ruggedness. The collection is now available at the Howler Brothers website as well as Backcountry [LINK] and [>> TOYOTA?????]. 'This collaboration with Toyota Land Cruiser is a natural fit. Both of our brands are rooted in a shared love for exploration and craftsmanship,' said Chase Heard, CEO of Howler Brothers. 'We've combined Howler's signature style with Land Cruiser's legendary legacy to create a collection built for the jungle roads ahead.' Howler Brothers is the brainchild of two buddies who shared a love of surfing and the outdoors. It was inspired by their shoestring approach to their Costa Rican surfing excursions, many of them powered by a 70s Land Cruiser that exemplified their DIY ethos. Surfing, fishing, beach camping, tacos, dogs, skateboards, guitars, western it all comes together in Howler Brothers' designs and in this capsule collection. Howler Brothers describes its ethos as "a kung-fu surf movie set in the wild west," and that tracks. Check out the hilarious-but-somehow-still-informative Howler Brothers origin story on YouTube: That whimsical pastiche carries over to the new Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers collection. It draws inspiration from the founders of Howler Brothers' early adventures in Costa Rica. Their expeditions, often undertaken in vintage Land Cruisers, fueled the brand's origin story and instilled a deep appreciation for rugged trucks and the spirit of adventure they represent. This collection features a range of apparel and accessories designed for diverse outdoor activities from camping and fly fishing to surfing. The collection's design thoughtfully incorporates elements that blend both the classic Land Cruiser aesthetic and the signature Howler Brothers style. Toyota Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Apparel: Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers T-Shirts Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Tech Polo Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Monoloha Shirt Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Lined Depot Jacket Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Hoodie Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Salado Shorts Toyota Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Accessories: Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Snapback Hats Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Patches Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Bandana Land Cruiser x Howler Brothers Keychain Full details on the Howler Brothers and Toyota partnership can be found at Fans of both brands can follow along on Howler Brothers' social channels on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car