2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was a masterclass in understated elegance. Its design was not about flashy aesthetics but rather about functional beauty that revealed itself over time. The dished hood, a departure from the typical domed design, improved forward visibility, making it easier to navigate challenging terrains. The subtle bulging of the fenders was not just for show; it accommodated wheel travel and hinted at the vehicle's width. The Heritage Edition added a touch of retro flair with blackened trim, a distinctive grille, and bronze BBS wheels, all of which contributed to its rugged yet refined appearance. Inside, the Land Cruiser flirted with luxury, offering black perforated leather-trimmed seating and a functional, if somewhat plain, dashboard. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though surrounded by a sea of buttons, provided essential controls for navigation, audio, and more, while the analog gauges added a touch of nostalgia.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained its classic design with minimal changes, save for a discreet "P400e" badge. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek and sophisticated appearance. The test vehicle, adorned in Firenze Red paint with a black roof and 21-inch aluminum wheels, exuded a commanding presence. Inside, the cabin was a testament to luxury, with high-quality materials and a panoramic glass roof that brightened the interior. The seats offered comfort and support, although the narrow armrests were less than ideal. The Range Rover Sport PHEV was designed to transport five passengers in style, but its cargo space was compromised by the battery placement, reducing the available room behind the rear seats. Despite this, the vehicle's overall design and luxurious interior made it an attractive choice for those seeking a blend of performance and elegance.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was renowned for its robust performance and off-road capabilities. It was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The Land Cruiser was built to conquer both urban roads and challenging terrains, boasting an approach angle of 32 degrees, a departure angle of 24 degrees, and a breakover angle of 21 degrees, with 8.9 inches of ground clearance and a fording depth of 27.55 inches. Its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, combined with a Multi-Terrain Select control knob, allowed drivers to adapt the vehicle's performance to various surface conditions. Despite its size, the Land Cruiser offered a serene and relaxing driving experience, with controlled body roll and excellent visibility.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. This setup promised up to 31 miles of all-electric driving range, although real-world testing showed a slightly lower range of 28.4 miles. The SUV averaged 41.9 mpg during electric driving and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, which included mountain driving. The Range Rover Sport PHEV featured an adaptive air suspension, various driving modes, and a permanent 4-wheel-drive system, ensuring quick acceleration and off-road capability. However, the vehicle's 5,400-pound curb weight and grabby regenerative brakes made smooth stops challenging. The SUV's off-roading prowess was maintained, with a fording depth of 33.4 inches and multiple traction settings.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was designed to be a versatile vehicle, suitable for both city commuting and off-road adventures. It featured standard skid plates to protect vital components and frame-mounted tow hooks for added utility. The standard model offered a three-row configuration with aluminum running boards for easy entry, while the Heritage Edition was a two-row, five-passenger SUV. The interior was equipped with heated second-row seats that could be adjusted for comfort and convenience, and a cooling box in the center console provided a handy storage solution for beverages. The split tailgate design was a charming and practical feature, making loading and unloading a breeze. The Land Cruiser also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 11.6-inch display screens, RCA jacks, HDMI input, and wireless headphones, although this was not available on the Heritage Edition.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV, while luxurious, had a compromised cargo area due to the battery placement, reducing the space behind the back seat to 27.5 cubic feet. This made it essential to secure items to prevent them from falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this limitation, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably accommodated five passengers, offering a tall riding position and good thigh support for rear-seat passengers. The interior was adorned with high-quality materials, and the panoramic glass roof added a sense of openness. The optional refrigerated center console was a nice touch, although the narrow armrests were less comfortable than the padded center console armrest. The SUV's air suspension could be lowered for easier entry and exit, especially for shorter passengers, and the optional side steps provided additional convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a range of modern technology features, including a Qi-compatible inductive charging station for smartphones and other devices. The Toyota Premium Audio system featured 14 JBL speakers, an AM/FM radio, USB port, Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio, Siri Eyes Free, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a CD player. The 9-inch touchscreen interface, while functional, appeared small compared to some competitors' larger screens. The Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor camera, displayed on the touchscreen, was a useful feature for navigating tight spaces and challenging terrains.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was a technologically advanced vehicle, but its complexity could be frustrating for some drivers. The infotainment system, which relied heavily on touchscreens, apps, voice commands, and gesture controls, sometimes behaved unpredictably, displaying information that was not requested or responding slowly to input. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge. Despite these issues, the Range Rover Sport PHEV offered a range of advanced features, including a steering-assist system and a lane-keeping assist system, although the latter was found to be too abrupt in its operation.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which offered advanced driver assistance features such as a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with sway-warning system, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, the Land Cruiser came with Toyota’s Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The vehicle also featured a tire-pressure monitoring system, front and rear parking assist sonar, hill start assist, and an anti-theft system with engine immobilizer. However, the Land Cruiser had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), so there was no independent crash-test data available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was equipped with a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system and a lane-keeping assist system. However, the steering-assist system was found to be overly aggressive, causing discomfort for passengers during highway driving. The lane-keeping assist system was also noted to work too abruptly, leading to the decision to disable these features. Despite these issues, the Range Rover Sport PHEV retained the standard model’s off-roading capability, with power flowing through an 8-speed automatic transmission to a permanent 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system. The SUV's heavy battery and electric motor helped lower its center of gravity, and the adaptive air suspension worked to limit excessive body motions. The Range Rover Sport PHEV had not been crash-tested, but its 5,400-pound curb weight made it heavier than most other vehicles on the road, which could be an advantage in a collision.