2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was a vehicle whose design elements revealed their purpose over time. It wasn't flashy, but its subtle styling choices, like the dished hood, were functional, enhancing the driver's forward sight lines for better navigation. The fenders bulged slightly to accommodate wheel travel, hinting at the vehicle's width. The Heritage Edition added a touch of retro flair with blackened trim, a unique grille, and bronze BBS wheels. Inside, the Land Cruiser approached luxury with its black perforated leather seating and functional, albeit plain, dashboard. The center stack housed a 9-inch touchscreen surrounded by a multitude of controls, while the instrument panel featured traditional analog gauges.

The 2021 Lexus NX, particularly in its F Sport variant, carried the brand's sharp design language with sculpted lines reminiscent of its Lexus siblings. The F Sport model added sporty touches like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the NX offered quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of interior color schemes, including a bold Circuit Red. The fit and finish were excellent, with a familiar gauge cluster and a G-Force meter adding a touch of sportiness. The center stack, however, showed its age with an outdated design and limited storage space. Despite this, the NX maintained a comfortable and quiet cabin, typical of Lexus.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This naturally aspirated engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, provided the SUV with impressive off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser's suspension system, featuring a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and Multi-Terrain Select, ensured a smooth ride over various terrains. With an approach angle of 32 degrees and a fording depth of 27.55 inches, it was built for adventure. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA estimate of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.

The 2021 Lexus NX, in contrast, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Its six-speed automatic transmission was adequate, though not as smooth as newer multi-speed options. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, offering a relatively quiet ride. The F Sport model included Active Sound Control for enhanced engine notes. The NX's AWD system could transfer up to 50% of torque to the rear axle, though it lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser's dual-purpose design was evident in its rugged exterior features like skid plates and tow hooks, as well as its spacious interior. The standard model offered a three-row configuration with heated second-row seats and a split-folding third row. The SUV boasted a four-zone climate control system and numerous cup holders. A split tailgate added a touch of retro charm, while its towing capacity of 8,100 pounds made it a practical choice for hauling.

The 2021 Lexus NX, while stylish, offered less cargo space, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior was comfortable, with available heated and ventilated seats. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats. Despite its smaller size, the NX maintained a quiet cabin, typical of Lexus, with minimal road and wind noise.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen with Toyota Premium Audio, including 14 JBL speakers and integrated navigation. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were standard in many competitors. The Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system was a useful addition for off-road navigation.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch option available in the Navigation package. This package included features like predictive traffic information and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a more user-friendly experience than the Lexus infotainment system. The NX also offered a WiFi hotspot and the Lexus Enform Remote app for remote vehicle control.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense P, featuring a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also included 10 airbags and a range of safety features like Trailer Sway Control and hill start assist. However, it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. It received top "Good" scores from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The NX also offered optional safety features like park assist and a surround-view camera system.