2020 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was a vehicle that revealed its charm over time. Its design was not ostentatious but rather functional, with subtle styling choices that became apparent after spending time behind the wheel. The dished hood, for instance, was a practical feature that improved forward sight lines, making it easier to navigate obstacles. The fenders, slightly bulging from the vehicle's sides, provided space for wheel travel and indicated the vehicle's width. The Land Cruiser Heritage Edition added a touch of retro flair with blackened trim, a unique grille, and bronze BBS wheels, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the Land Cruiser approached luxury with its black perforated leather-trimmed seating and functional yet somewhat plain dashboard. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, surrounded by a plethora of buttons and knobs, controlled various functions, while the instrument panel featured traditional analog gauges. Overall, the interior was comfortable and well-executed, though it leaned towards a more subdued aesthetic.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its redesign in 2019, retained a styling that appeared older due to its carryover design from the previous generation. Its boxy, upright shape was favored by many SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious look. The Forester Sport model, with its orange striping and black 18-inch alloy wheels, added a sporty touch that stood out, especially in complementary colors like Dark Blue Pearl. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared its underpinnings with other Subaru models, maintaining its rugged SUV image. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior was designed to withstand years of use, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. The Forester offered cloth upholstery in lower trims and leather in higher trims, with an All-Weather Package providing additional comfort features. The interior was practical, though some features like a power-adjustable driver's seat required an upgrade to higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser was renowned for its confidence and capability, powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, delivered a fuel economy of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was supported by its suspension and chassis geometry, with an approach angle of 32 degrees, a departure angle of 24 degrees, and a breakover angle of 21 degrees. It featured a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and a Multi-Terrain Select control knob, allowing drivers to adapt to various terrains. The Land Cruiser's size was evident behind the wheel, but its command driving position and excellent visibility made long journeys comfortable and serene.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. Standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode enhanced its capability on different surfaces, with Sport models offering Dual X-Mode for varied conditions. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle light off-road conditions, though it was not as capable as more rugged competitors like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser's dual nature as a commuter and overlander was evident in its design. It featured standard skid plates, tow hooks, and mudguards, with a roof rack for additional utility. The three-row configuration of the standard model provided ample space for families, with heated second-row seats and a split-folding third row. The Land Cruiser offered four-zone climate control, numerous cupholders, and a cooling box in the center console. It could tow up to 8,100 pounds and featured a split tailgate for easy loading and unloading.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom, with a tall roofline providing excellent visibility. It boasted 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured practical storage solutions, though some conveniences like a power-adjustable driver's seat required upgrading to higher trims. The controls were user-friendly, though the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a Qi-compatible charging station and Toyota Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation. The sound system included 14 JBL speakers, but it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 9-inch touchscreen, while functional, appeared small compared to competitors. The Enhanced Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system was a useful feature for navigating challenging terrain and tight spaces.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system. The system was user-friendly, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations, but it featured Toyota Safety Sense P, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also had 10 airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and Safety Connect for emergency assistance.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, receiving the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking.