2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with its design focusing on styling details to distinguish between trim levels, reminiscent of how Chevy once differentiated models like the Impala and Caprice. Its exterior was a classic SUV look, featuring a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a prominent grille, which appealed to buyers seeking a clean and handsome design. While it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer or the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9, the Traverse's restrained styling allowed for cosmetic elements to shine, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model or chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored this restraint, with a standout optional Dual SkyScape sunroof and materials that, while decent, didn't quite justify the $50,000 price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition to celebrate its 65th anniversary, featuring bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima roof basket. However, the standard model, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, was more subdued. Its exterior was basic, with large headlights and a chrome-heavy design, while the interior mixed Toyota switchgear with Lexus design themes, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The Land Cruiser's interior was a blend of nostalgia and luxury, with high-quality leather and a commanding driving position, though its dated appearance and limited storage space were notable.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite its specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful off the line, but it delivered sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic generally performed well, though it occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, with a quiet cabin and smooth suspension, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system, which required manual activation, could split torque between wheels but didn't noticeably enhance handling. The Traverse offered off-road and tow/haul modes, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, average for its class.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The engine was quiet, with most of its torque available at low RPMs, providing strong initial thrust. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was supported by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of traction control features, including Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected handling. It could tow up to 8,100 pounds, showcasing its robust capabilities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom across all rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on lower trims and standard on higher ones, with a gesture-activated liftgate available on the Premier and High Country models. Despite its size, the Traverse had limited interior storage, typical of midsize crossovers.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The second-row bench offered heated seats and ample space, while the third row could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward, though leg support was lacking. The Land Cruiser featured a four-zone climate control system with 28 air vents. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell tailgate provided convenient access and a seating area for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a Bose audio system. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for volume and climate. The Traverse also offered a rearview camera mirror and an optional surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard for all rows, but wireless charging was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was more dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it included Siri Eyes Free and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, with non-touchscreen displays and limited streaming options. A 14-speaker JBL audio system was standard, but it didn't match the quality of other high-end systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, its headlights received mixed ratings, and the LATCH system was rated "Acceptable." The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests and five stars in side-impact tests. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features than competitors, with many options available only on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its 10 airbags and substantial weight, provided a sense of security, though it lacked crash-test ratings. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.