2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Jeep Compass was a handsome SUV, reflecting the refined side of the Jeep brand, much like the Grand Cherokee. It was available in four core trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk, with various packages and special edition trim upgrades to enhance the lineup. The base model started at $22,280, while a fully loaded Compass Limited with AWD and numerous options could reach $39,755. Despite its upscale features, the Compass had some cost-cutting measures that detracted from its overall appeal, such as low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts. However, it was a significant improvement over the original Compass model.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard Land Cruiser, however, arrived in Magnetic Gray paint with plush Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior design was basic, with giant headlights and a blizzard of chrome, lacking character aside from its flared fenders. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, featuring a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. It felt like a trip back in time, with a dated yet plush interior that offered a commanding view of the road.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was powered by a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these figures, the engine was loud, slow, and thirsty, with sluggish acceleration and an average fuel economy of 23.1 mpg, falling short of the EPA rating of 25 mpg. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the automatic engine stop/start system could be inconvenient. While the Compass's suspension controlled body roll, it allowed too much vertical motion and impact harshness. However, the Compass excelled in off-road capability, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and a Rock driving mode.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. The engine was quiet during acceleration, with an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA rating of 14 mpg. An eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case provided excellent off-road capability. The Land Cruiser included features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a Multi-Terrain Select traction assist system. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though it required more steering effort when parking.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered a new Luxury Seat Group, adding premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet. Cargo space measured 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. However, storage space inside the cabin was limited, with awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was swanky, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was roomy, with heated cushions and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward, though leg support was lacking. Cargo space measured 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Jeep Compass featured an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics, though some features were embedded in menus. Voice recognition worked well, and drivers could adjust stereo and climate controls using voice commands.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the voice-recognition system was basic. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was available. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered optional driving assistance and collision avoidance technology, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Compass earned Good ratings in IIHS crash tests, except for headlight performance, and received mixed ratings from NHTSA.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, and crash-test ratings were unavailable.