2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, with its practical and utilitarian design, resembled a larger Subaru Forester. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares that added visual strength. The robust roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on most trims contributed to its purposeful appearance. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels, while the Premium trim offered more features for $34,395. The Limited trim added leather seats, and the Touring trim, priced at $45,045, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and other luxury enhancements. The Touring trim's Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior provided a stylish and quality feel, making it a worthwhile investment.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard model, however, arrived in Magnetic Gray paint with plush Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured giant headlights, taillights, and chrome accents. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota parts-bin switchgear with Lexus design themes, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior exuded a sense of luxury and nostalgia, making it feel like a trip back in time.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, providing good acceleration and maintaining power at higher elevations. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with undulating road surfaces. Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent excelled off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, offered a quiet and refined driving experience. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided impressive off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser's Torsen limited-slip differential and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist ensured optimal performance on various terrains. On pavement, the Land Cruiser delivered a smooth and refined ride, though its nearly 3-ton weight required more steering effort when parking. With a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, the Land Cruiser was well-suited for heavy-duty tasks.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable interior, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats provided significant track travel, appealing to tall individuals. The Ascent's dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. It offered a choice between a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing comfort and convenience. The third-row seat was accessible and suitable for short trips. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, despite its dated appearance, was luxurious with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the SUV featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The second-row bench seat was roomy and comfortable, while the third-row seat accommodated adults for short trips. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, and a WiFi hotspot. The Touring trim improved the display and included navigation. While the voice-control system was outdated, the Harman Kardon speakers delivered rich sound quality. The Ascent offered a 180-degree front camera view and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler time, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but included Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, but the 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, built on a robust global platform, received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, a collection of camera-based ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Ascent also offered a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, with 10 airbags and substantial curb weight, provided a sense of security. It included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance.