2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to luxury and ruggedness, a combination that had defined the brand since its inception. Originating from the rugged Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with stout 4x4 underpinnings, appealing to wealthy British landowners. By 2012, the current-generation Range Rover was introduced, offering various trims like HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, while options ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, celebrating its 65th anniversary, offered a Heritage Edition with distinctive styling elements like bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima roof basket. However, the standard Land Cruiser, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, was more subdued. Its exterior, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured large headlights and chrome accents. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was plush, with premium leather upholstery and a commanding driving position.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while a plug-in hybrid powertrain offered 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque with a 19-mile electric range. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, providing a blend of power and efficiency. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling ensured a comfortable ride, while its Terrain Response System offered various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission directed 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 prowess was enhanced by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. Toyota's brake-based Active Traction Control, hill start assist, and downhill traction control ensured safe progress on steep grades. Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control provided additional off-road capabilities, while the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) allowed for maximum wheel articulation. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though its nearly 3-ton weight was noticeable in handling. The SUV was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: SWB and LWB, both with standard seating for five. The optional second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating to four but enhanced comfort, especially in the LWB version. The SWB model provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB offered 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover's hands-free power liftgate featured a two-piece configuration, facilitating easy loading and tailgating. The front row included a convenient center-console compartment and decently sized door compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though dated, 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 accommodated three passengers, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat, though less comfortable for long trips, could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access and a convenient seating area for outdoor activities. Maximum cargo space measured 82.8 cubic feet.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, and smartphone connectivity, while the lower screen controlled climate, seat settings, and Terrain Response. Integrated dials on the lower screen changed functions based on the selected menu. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but a volume knob provided tactile control. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display enhanced the driving experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system, running Toyota Entune technology, lacked depth and did not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Bluetooth pairing was limited to one device, but Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription were included. Large buttons and knobs on the dashboard made control adjustments straightforward. The rear-seat entertainment system featured 11.6-inch displays, but lacked streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and high-speed automatic emergency braking. The Range Rover also offered adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and a system to alert rear-seat passengers when it was safe to exit the vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, with 10 airbags and substantial curb weight, provided a sense of security in collisions. However, it lacked crash-test ratings. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services were also standard. The Land Cruiser did not offer advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control or lane-centering assistance.