2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was more about subtlety than making a bold statement. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme that was consistent across various elements, such as the tailgate's license plate cutout and the slimmer headlights. The body panels had more pronounced creases, and the tailgate glass was slightly more slanted compared to previous models. While the base L trim had standard headlights, higher trims like the Limited and Platinum boasted projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights. The interior was where the Highlander truly shone, with quality fit and finish that stood out. The cabin was adorned with silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash, complemented by an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it a comfortable and inviting space.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was a blend of plush materials and dated design elements. The Heritage Edition trim celebrated the SUV's 65th anniversary with unique features like bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket. The standard Land Cruiser, however, came with Magnetic Gray paint and Terra semi-aniline leather upholstery. The interior was a mix of Toyota parts-bin switchgear and older Lexus design themes, with a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was swanky, with premium leather upholstery and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The third-row seat was standard, offering enough space for adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was accessible via a split clamshell-style liftgate, providing up to 82.8 cubic feet of room when the second-row seats were folded.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, the Highlander offered smooth and brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander provided a calming driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was impressive for a vehicle of its size, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The AWD version was slightly less efficient, while the hybrid variant offered up to 36 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control. Despite its nearly 3-ton weight, the Land Cruiser handled well on various terrains, thanks to its sophisticated suspension system. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 14.7 mpg during testing. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, making it a capable choice for those needing to haul heavy loads.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander provided ample cargo space, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with features like three-zone climate control, a panoramic moonroof on the Platinum trim, and multiple storage options.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was spacious, and the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, and the lower tailgate served as a convenient seating area for outdoor activities.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was limited in its functionality. However, the Highlander came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The vehicle also featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. Safety and convenience features included adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, and a JBL audio system.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler time. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system required tapping rather than swiping, and it lacked depth and modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the rear-seat entertainment system was outdated. However, the Land Cruiser featured large, well-marked buttons and knobs for easy control, and a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for its crash test performance and safety features.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), offering forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, and its crash-test ratings were unavailable due to its older engineering.