2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium SUV, offering a range of trims from the basic SL to the luxurious Denali. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia aimed to deliver a professional-grade experience. The Denali trim, in particular, featured all-wheel drive, a sophisticated Satin Steel Metallic paint, and a Technology Package, with a price tag of $52,385. The design updates for 2020 were most evident in the front, with a more squared-off appearance and intricate grille detailing, enhancing its upscale aspirations. Inside, the changes were subtle, with new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim in the Denali model. The cabin offered a mix of soft and hard surfaces, with logical control layouts, but lacked distinctive premium features beyond leather upholstery and wood trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, continued to offer a Heritage Edition to celebrate its 65th anniversary. However, the standard model was tested, featuring Magnetic Gray paint and Terra semi-aniline leather upholstery. The exterior design was reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with oversized headlights and chrome accents. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a plush and comfortable experience. Despite its dated design, the interior was equipped with a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player, adding to its nostalgic charm. The Land Cruiser's presence was akin to a time capsule, offering a glimpse into the past while maintaining a sense of luxury.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options, starting with a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for lower trims. The SLT trim introduced a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 230 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AT4 and Denali variants featured a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Acadia provided both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the AT4 trim offering a dual-clutch AWD system as standard. The V6 engine and nine-speed transmission combination was praised for its smooth and refined performance, offering up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in FWD mode, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, providing a comfortable driving experience, though it lacked distinctive driving character.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. The engine's roar was subdued, contributing to an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA rating of 14 mpg. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivered power to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of traction control features, including Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. The SUV's suspension system, featuring a double-wishbone front and four-link rear setup, provided a refined on-road experience, though it required more steering effort when parking. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, reflecting its robust hardware and go-anywhere capabilities.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered seating for five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim providing six-passenger seating through standard second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide and supportive, featuring 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet for rear passengers. Despite being smaller than previous models, the Acadia's third-row seat was surprisingly roomy, though cargo space was limited to 12.1 cubic feet behind it. Folding the third-row seat expanded cargo capacity to 41.7 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated. The second-row bench seat offered ample space and comfort, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat accommodated adults if the second-row passengers were willing to slide forward, though leg support was limited. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate facilitated easy access to the cargo area, with a maximum capacity of 82.8 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded.

The 2020 GMC Acadia was equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen offered a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology that generally performed well. Additional technology upgrades included USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror, providing an unobstructed view behind the vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, running Toyota Entune technology. The system required tapping rather than swiping, with audible feedback for each command. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and only allowed single-device Bluetooth pairing. However, Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription were included. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while the rear-seat entertainment system offered dual 11.6-inch displays, though they were not touchscreens. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality, though it was not as advanced as other high-end systems.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited, with blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning as standard. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on higher trims, with additional features in the Driver Alert Package. The Acadia received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments, but the IIHS provided incomplete data.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) as standard, offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included. However, more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control were not available. The Land Cruiser's crash-test ratings were not available, but its 10 airbags and substantial curb weight provided a sense of security.