The new Lucid Gravity base trim was revealed at the LA Auto Show 2025, presenting potential buyers with a more affordable option than other trims.

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Walk into any Toyota showroom this fall, and you’ll face a choice that comes down to about five grand and a whole lot of soul-searching. The 2026 Land Cruiser arrives with just two options: the heritage-focused 1958 at $58,650 or the higher-spec standard trim at $63,540. Both pack the same hybrid muscle under the hood, but they couldn’t feel more different when you climb inside. Toyota’s betting that some buyers will pay extra for modern conveniences while others want that back-to-basics feel. Here’s what actually changes when you move up the ladder.

• The 1958 rocks classic round LED headlights that nod to Land Cruiser history, while the standard trim goes contemporary with rectangular LEDs and color-changing fog lights.
• Inside, you’re looking at an 8-inch screen and cloth seats in the 1958 versus a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, and ventilated seats in the upper trim.
• Off-road junkies get Multi-Terrain Select and stabilizer disconnect on the standard model, but the 1958 still comes with locking diffs and crawl control for serious trail work.

What You Get With Both Models

Let’s talk about what doesn’t change, no matter which trim you pick. Toyota dropped the same i-Force Max hybrid powertrain into both versions, pairing a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor that cranks out 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. That’s the same setup you’ll find in the new Tacoma and 4Runner, and it works beautifully here. The eight-speed automatic feels smooth, and the full-time four-wheel drive means you’re always sending power to all four corners.

Both trims pull 6,000 pounds when you need to haul a boat or trailer, and they’ll get you 22 mpg in town and 25 on the highway. That’s a massive jump from the old V8 that barely cracked 13 mpg city. Ground clearance sits at 7.9 inches on both, and you get the same frame-mounted tow hooks, skid plates protecting your vital organs, and stubby bumpers for tackling rocks without scraping your undercarriage.

Where the 1958 Stands Out

Toyota designed the 1958 as a throwback to 1958 when the Land Cruiser first hit American soil. Those round headlights are fully functional LED units that work great and look fantastic. You also get the heritage Toyota grille badge instead of the modern logo. If you’re someone who appreciates automotive history and wants your truck to stand out from every other SUV on the road, this trim delivers.

The cabin keeps things simple with heated cloth seats, a heated steering wheel, and that smaller 8-inch touchscreen running wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB ports mean everyone can charge their devices, and you still get Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with all the driver assistance features. The 1958 uses manual adjustments for the steering column and seats, but honestly, once you’ve got it dialed in, how often are you really changing it?

What you’re trading for that lower price is mostly comfort and convenience items. The interior materials feel cheaper, with more hard plastics visible throughout the cabin. Several reviewers mentioned this, and it’s worth seeing in person at auto dealers before you commit. The smaller screen works fine, but it can feel cramped when you’re trying to see map details or use split-screen functions.

What the Standard Trim Adds

Step up to the confusingly named “Land Cruiser” trim and things get noticeably more refined. That 12.3-inch touchscreen pairs with a matching digital gauge cluster, and the difference is night and day. You can see more map detail, the menus are easier to navigate, and the whole system feels more modern. The 10-speaker audio sounds much better than the base six-speaker setup, and you can opt up to a 14-speaker JBL system if you’re serious about your tunes.

The seats switch to ventilated SofTex material with power adjustments for the driver. On a hot summer day or during a long highway stretch, those cooled seats make a real difference. You also get a power-adjustable steering column, which sounds minor until you’re sharing the vehicle with someone who’s a different height than you.

This trim also unlocks options you can’t get on the 1958: 20-inch wheels, a head-up display, leather seats, a console cool box, wireless charging, and a power moonroof. If you want to load up your Land Cruiser with all the goodies, you need this trim as your starting point. The Premium package bundles several of these features together with driver’s seat memory and a 14-speaker JBL system.

The Off-Road Advantage

Here’s where the gap widens if you’re serious about hitting trails. The standard trim gets Multi-Terrain Select with modes for sand, mud, rock, deep snow, and more. This system automatically adjusts throttle response, traction control, and other parameters to match the surface you’re on. The 1958 can still handle serious terrain, but you’re doing more of the work manually.

The stabilizer disconnect mechanism is another big deal for hardcore off-roaders. When you activate it, the front stabilizer bar disconnects to allow much greater wheel articulation over rocks and uneven terrain. This lets one wheel drop into a hole while the opposite corner stays planted, keeping you moving forward. On pavement, the system reconnects automatically to maintain stability.

The Multi-Terrain Monitor uses cameras positioned around the vehicle to show you what’s directly in front of your tires, beside them, and behind you. When you’re crawling over boulders or trying to thread between trees, these views help you avoid expensive bodywork. The 1958 gets a standard backup camera but misses these additional angles.

Making Your Choice

If you’re buying a Land Cruiser primarily for its capability and heritage appeal, the 1958 makes sense. You’re getting the same powertrain, the same four-wheel-drive system with locking differentials, and crawl control that’ll get you through most situations. The round headlights look amazing, and you’ll save nearly five thousand dollars that could go toward recovery gear, upgraded tires, or actual adventures.

But if this is your daily driver and you want the refinement to match, the standard trim justifies its price. The bigger screens, better seats, improved materials, and advanced off-road tech add up to a more comfortable experience, whether you’re commuting to work or exploring fire roads. The ability to add options like the head-up display and leather seats means you can build exactly the truck you want.

Toyota’s platform sharing with the Lexus GX is shown here, too. The Land Cruiser undercuts that luxury SUV by tens of thousands while delivering most of the same capability. The standard Land Cruiser trim sits in a sweet spot where you’re getting serious equipment without entering luxury pricing territory.

Your Next Move

Before you decide, spend time in both versions. The 1958’s simpler cabin might feel refreshingly straightforward, or it might seem too basic for a sixty-thousand-dollar vehicle. The standard trim’s tech and comfort could be exactly what you need, or it might feel like overkill if you’re planning to cover everything in mud anyway. Both Land Cruisers will take you places most SUVs only dream about. The question is whether you want to get there with modern amenities or vintage style.

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Chevy went big with changes to the 2026 Traverse High Country. The three-row family hauler now runs on a turbocharged four-cylinder that actually makes more power than the old V6, comes with that giant 17.7-inch touchscreen everyone’s been raving about, and includes Super Cruise as standard equipment. But the real question families need answered is simple: does it work better for hauling kids, gear, and a week’s worth of groceries? (more…)

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Hyundai just rolled out the redesigned 2026 Palisade with fresh styling, new engines, and upgraded tech. The question everyone’s asking is whether these changes are enough to pull ahead of the Kia Telluride, which has owned the three-row SUV segment since both vehicles launched in 2020. These Korean cousins share the same platform and have been trading wins in comparison tests for years. Now one has a head start with a full redesign while the other waits in the wings.

• The 2026 Palisade starts at $41,035 compared to the Telluride’s $37,885, but offers wireless CarPlay and parking sensors as standard
• Palisade’s new 287-hp V6 is actually slower than before, taking 8.8 seconds to hit 60 mph versus the Telluride’s 7.5 seconds
• A new Palisade Hybrid with 258 horsepower joins the lineup and should deliver fuel economy in the low to mid-30s

Price Tags Tell Part of the Story

The Telluride holds a clear advantage when you compare base prices. You’ll spend about $3,150 less getting into a Telluride than its Korean cousin. Both come standard with eight seats, LED headlights, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and all the driver assistance tech you’d expect. The Telluride even throws in synthetic leather seats as standard equipment, while the Palisade base trim sticks with cloth.

That price gap shrinks when you look at what Hyundai includes. The Palisade comes with wireless smartphone connectivity, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic reverse braking right out of the gate. You’ll pay extra to get those features on a Telluride.

At the top end, a maxed-out Telluride SX-Prestige runs $52,885 while the Palisade Calligraphy hits $56,160. The Hyundai justifies that premium with extras like a massaging driver’s seat and built-in dashcams for the front and rear.

Engine Options Present a Trade Off

Here’s where things get interesting. The 2026 Palisade ditched its old 3.8-liter V6 for a smaller 3.5-liter unit making 287 horsepower. Hyundai claims this new engine will get 21 mpg combined. The problem? The redesigned three-row SUV gained about 400 pounds, and that extra weight really shows. The new model takes 8.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is more than a full second slower than the previous generation.

Kia’s SUV still runs the 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 that returns 22 mpg combined. It hits 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which feels noticeably quicker when you’re merging onto highways or passing slower traffic. That’s not blazing fast, but it’s about average for the class and definitely better than the sluggish Palisade.

The wild card is the new Palisade Hybrid. This turbocharged four-cylinder setup makes 258 horsepower and pairs with electric motors integrated into the transmission. Hyundai hasn’t released official fuel economy numbers yet, but expect something in the low to mid-30s for combined driving. That would smoke both V6 options at the pump.

The Palisade Offers Comfort and Space Where It Counts

Both SUVs excel at the family hauler mission. The Palisade offers 19.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.3 cubic feet with those seats folded. Drop all the rear seats and you’re looking at 86.7 cubic feet of cargo room. The Telluride’s numbers are slightly better on paper, but you won’t notice the difference when loading groceries or vacation luggage.

The new Palisade edges ahead slightly in ride quality. It glides over rough pavement with barely a whisper reaching the cabin. The seats offer better support and the overall composure feels more refined. The Telluride is still smooth and comfortable, but the Palisade’s updates give it a small advantage. Both provide generous headroom and legroom in all three rows, though neither SUV is spacious enough for adults in the third row on long trips.

Tech and Features Stack Up Evenly Between the Palisade vs. Telluride

The Palisade’s curved dual 12.3-inch displays look modern and work smoothly. You get over-the-air updates, a UV-C sterilization compartment, and available features like a head-up display and relaxation seats with leg rests. The Telluride counters with its own 12.3-inch screens, a solid Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims, and plenty of USB ports throughout the cabin.

Both SUVs come loaded with safety tech. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist come standard across the board. The Palisade adds some newer features like Highway Driving Assist with predictive safety systems.

What This Means for Shoppers

The 2026 Palisade brings some real improvements, but it also introduces some compromises. The slower acceleration is a real concern if you regularly drive with a full load of passengers and gear. The higher starting price might push some buyers toward the Telluride, especially when the Kia still offers sprightlier performance.

Wait for the Telluride’s redesign if you can. It’s expected to arrive for 2027 with the same powertrains and updates you see in the Palisade. That will level the playing field again and might bring its own improvements. If you need a three-row SUV now, test drive both. The Palisade’s refinement and hybrid option make it compelling, but the Telluride’s combination of value and better acceleration shouldn’t be dismissed. If neither new model fits your budget, both the Palisade and Telluride hold their value well, making them strong choices if you’re shopping for a used SUV.

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The luxury EV market just got a lot more interesting. Two completely different philosophies have emerged in electric SUVs, and they couldn’t be further apart. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ brings old-school American luxury with a monster battery, while the 2026 Lucid Gravity shows what happens when engineers get obsessed with efficiency. Both claim similar range numbers, but the story gets messy when you dig into how they actually work in real life.

• The Escalade IQ stuffs a 200+ kWh battery into a 9,000+ pound frame, creating efficiency challenges that math can’t solve
• Lucid Gravity hits 450 miles of range using just a 123 kWh battery through aerodynamic wizardry and smart engineering
• Charging speeds reveal the real difference – Gravity adds 200 miles in 11 minutes while Escalade needs the same time for half that

Two Ways to Build an Electric SUV

Step into any Cadillac dealer showroom and the Escalade IQ dominates the space. At 220+ inches long and nearly 77 inches tall, this thing looks like it could tow a house. But here’s what that presence costs: the IQ weighs 9,120 pounds. That’s four Honda Civics stacked on top of each other. Moving that much weight requires serious battery power. Cadillac crammed a 205 kWh pack under the floor, stacking battery cells two layers deep just to fit everything. The payoff? Around 460 miles of estimated range, though the SUV weighs so much it’s exempt from official EPA testing. Meanwhile, Lucid took a completely different path with the Gravity. Their SUV weighs about 6,100 pounds and still manages 450 miles of range with a 123 kWh battery. The math is wild – the Gravity squeezes 3.65 miles per kWh while the Escalade manages just 2.13. That’s like comparing a Prius to a pickup truck in terms of efficiency.

The Charging Game Changes Everything

Here’s where things flip upside down for road trips. Sure, the Escalade IQ can add 100 miles in 10 minutes at a DC fast charger. Sounds pretty good. Then you look at what the Gravity does: 200 miles in about 11 minutes at a 400kW station. The Gravity’s charging tech borders on ridiculous. Lucid built a system that works with both old 500V chargers and new 1000V equipment, automatically adjusting to squeeze maximum speed from whatever you plug into. The Escalade IQ handles 800-volt charging well enough, but it can’t match this flexibility. Tesla Supercharger users get a bonus with the Gravity – it comes with the Tesla charging port built right in. No adapters, no fumbling with cables. Recent real-world testing showed it hits about 210 kW at Superchargers and keeps charging above 200 kW until the battery reaches 42% capacity.

Weight vs Wind

Paper specs only tell part of the story. In city driving, that 9,000-pound Escalade fights physics every time you hit the brakes. Regenerative braking helps, but there’s only so much energy you can recover when you’re hauling around that much mass. Highway cruising favors the Gravity’s sleek shape. With a 0.24 drag coefficient, it slices through air like a sports car. The Escalade, built to look like its gas-powered sibling, pushes air around like a brick wall. Both have rear-wheel steering to help with parking lot maneuvers, but the driving experience couldn’t be more different. Need to stop quickly? The Escalade needs 203 feet from 70 mph. The Gravity does it in 163 feet. That 40-foot difference could save lives.

Plugging In Everywhere

Charging infrastructure tells an interesting story. The Gravity’s built-in Tesla port gives you access to the biggest fast-charging network in America right out of the box. Beyond Tesla, its advanced charging system maxes out whatever high-power station you find. Current 350kW+ chargers can’t always deliver full power to every vehicle, but the Gravity’s setup grabs every available watt. It’s like having a universal translator for EV charging. Both handle home charging at up to 19.2 kW with the right equipment. That’s enough to add about 37 miles per hour of charging – perfect for overnight top-ups.

Space and Comfort Trade-offs

The Escalade IQ’s bulk does buy you something: interior room. Traditional SUV proportions mean easy entry, high seating position, and a third row that actual adults can use. If you regularly haul seven people and all their stuff, the size makes sense. Lucid worked magic with the Gravity’s interior packaging. Despite the lower roofline, there’s surprising space inside. The flat-floor battery design creates flexible seating options, and folding all the seats flat opens up 111 cubic feet of cargo space.

The Real Range Test

Winter driving, mountain passes, loaded with gear – these scenarios separate marketing claims from reality. The Gravity’s efficiency advantage should hold up better under tough conditions. Less weight means less energy needed for everything from heating to climbing hills. The Escalade’s bigger battery provides a cushion, but you’re always fighting that extra weight. In cold weather, when battery capacity drops, the more efficient vehicle wins.

Decision Time

Range anxiety isn’t the issue here. Both SUVs go farther than most people drive in a day, and both charge fast enough for reasonable road trip stops. The choice comes down to what matters most. Pick the Escalade IQ if you need maximum interior space, love the commanding driving position, and want people to notice when you pull up. Cadillac’s dealer network and service reputation count for something too. Choose the Gravity if efficiency bothers you, if you appreciate clever engineering, and if you’d rather get to your destination faster thanks to quicker charging stops. The lower weight makes it more fun to drive, and the tech feels genuinely advanced. For long trips, the math favors the Gravity. Spending less time plugged in means more time moving, and the aerodynamics help maintain range at highway speeds where many EVs struggle. Both represent different ideas about what luxury means. The Escalade IQ says luxury means size, presence, and traditional comfort. The Gravity argues luxury means not having to compromise on anything – efficiency, performance, or space. The winner depends entirely on which philosophy matches how you actually live.