2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST trim boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 trim combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, a redesigned front end for off-roading, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim adopted the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country trim showcased a chrome bar grille and large 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille, standard LED headlights, and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the base LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with the tested Z71 trim priced at $76,225, including various option packages.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. This edition was available in four colors, with Midnight Black complementing its bronze BBS wheels and Yakima Megawarrior roof storage basket. The standard Land Cruiser, however, arrived in Magnetic Gray paint with plush Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. Externally, it resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander with oversized headlights, taillights, and chrome accents. Inside, the Land Cruiser featured a mix of Toyota parts-bin switchgear and Lexus design themes, with high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was plush and comfortable, offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of earlier SUV models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. Most trims came with a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured an exclusive 6.2-liter V8 engine delivering 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system optional on most trims. The Z71 trim came standard with 4WD, hill descent control, and off-road enhancements. The major engineering change for the 2021 Tahoe was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-liter V8 engine, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The Tahoe's handling was commendable, with suspension upgrades controlling body roll and motion.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The full-time four-wheel-drive system included a two-speed transfer case and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The Land Cruiser's off-road capability was enhanced by mud-and-snow tires, Active Traction Control, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Off-Road Turn Assist. The sophisticated suspension system, including the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, ensured maximum wheel articulation. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, with a quiet cabin and smooth ride quality. However, its nearly 3-ton weight affected handling, requiring more effort when parking. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, and its off-road hardware contributed to its high price.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console provided additional storage options. The second-row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable. The third-row seat was more spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 72.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet. These figures were substantial improvements over the previous generation and surpassed most competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated. The second-row bench seat offered ample space and comfort, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat accommodated adults if the second-row occupants slid forward, though leg support was lacking. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded up, and a maximum of 82.8 cubic feet. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate facilitated easy access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though some menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was quick. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it was not fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an optional 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required tapping to execute commands and beeped to confirm actions. The voice-recognition system was basic, and Bluetooth pairing was limited to one device. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, though it was dated and lacked streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality but was not as advanced as other high-end systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came standard with Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected during testing, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were not available, but the Land Cruiser's 10 airbags and substantial weight offered a good chance of survival in a collision.