2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was a vehicle that exuded a quiet confidence with its understated design. Its subtle styling choices, such as the dished hood, were not just for aesthetics but served functional purposes like improving forward sight lines for better navigation on trails. The fenders, slightly bulging from the smooth sides, provided space for wheel travel and indicated the vehicle's width. The Heritage Edition added a touch of retro flair with blackened trim, a unique grille, and bronze BBS wheels, making it ready for adventure. Inside, the Land Cruiser approached luxury with its black perforated leather-trimmed seating and a functional, if somewhat plain, dashboard. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system was surrounded by a plethora of buttons and switches, offering a mix of old-school analog gauges and modern technology.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a more modern and versatile design. Its exterior featured trapezoidal themes and exaggerated creases, giving it a contemporary look. The Highlander's cabin was where it truly shone, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The interior color palettes were pleasing, and the Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures. The Highlander provided a comfortable and inviting space, with padded surfaces and diamond quilting on the Platinum trim. While the exterior styling might not have been as exciting, the Highlander excelled in creating a welcoming and well-appointed interior.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was renowned for its capability and confidence, powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This naturally aspirated engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, made it a formidable choice for both on-road and off-road adventures. Its fuel economy was rated at 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was further enhanced by its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, Multi-Terrain Select control, and Crawl Control, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease. With an approach angle of 32 degrees, a departure angle of 24 degrees, and a breakover angle of 21 degrees, it was well-equipped for overlanding.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the Highlander offered smooth and brisk acceleration. Its eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for quick acceleration. The Highlander's steering and suspension were tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft and isolating ride. While it lacked the off-road capabilities of the Land Cruiser, it excelled in providing a calm and relaxing driving experience. The Highlander also boasted impressive fuel economy, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a dual personality, catering to both commuters and overlanders. Its exterior featured standard skid plates, tow hooks, and mudguards, making it ready for rugged adventures. The interior was spacious, with a three-row configuration in the standard model, providing seating for up to eight passengers. The second-row seats were versatile, offering sliding, reclining, and folding options, while the third-row seats folded flat for additional cargo space. The Land Cruiser's split tailgate design added a touch of retro charm, making loading and unloading easy. With a towing capacity of up to 8,100 pounds, it was well-suited for hauling.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander prioritized interior space and versatility. It could seat up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs on higher trims. The second-row seats offered generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's cargo space was impressive, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including shelves integrated into the dash and multiple cupholders. The Highlander's design focused on comfort and convenience, making it an excellent choice for families.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a range of technology updates, including a Qi-compatible inductive charging station and Toyota Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation. The sound system included 14 JBL speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were standard in many competitors. The 9-inch touchscreen interface, while functional, felt small compared to newer models with larger screens. The Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system provided selectable front, side, or rear views, aiding in navigating tight spaces and unfamiliar terrain.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, despite being a new model, had an infotainment system that felt outdated. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, was limited in its usability, with climate and fuel economy information always present. However, it did include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Highlander excelled in providing additional displays, such as a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display, offering useful information. The semi-automated driving system, adaptive cruise control, and other safety features added to its appeal.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser, while not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, offered a suite of safety features. Toyota Safety Sense P included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Land Cruiser also featured the Star Safety System, with stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It had 10 airbags, active headrests, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and collision notification.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking were optional. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from IIHS, scoring top ratings in crash tests and emergency braking. It included a driver's knee airbag and a cushion airbag for the front passenger.