2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Ford Bronco was a nostalgic nod to its roots, drawing inspiration from the original 1966 model. It embraced a "Retrofuturism" design philosophy, blending classic aesthetics with modern technology. The Bronco's exterior featured a single-piece grille with bold B-R-O-N-C-O lettering, round headlights, and a rugged body with removable fender flares and a spare tire mounted on the back. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, it offered a range of paint colors and tire options, including the off-road-ready Sasquatch package. Inside, the Bronco combined retro styling with contemporary technology, featuring a color touchscreen, digital gauges, and durable materials. The interior was designed for adventure, with reinforced grab handles and practical storage solutions.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser exuded a sense of luxury and tradition. Celebrating its 65th anniversary, the Land Cruiser's Heritage Edition featured bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima roof basket. The standard model, however, retained a more understated appearance with Magnetic Gray paint and plush Terra leather upholstery. The exterior design was characterized by large headlights, chrome accents, and a basic two-box shape. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a mix of high-quality materials and dated design elements, such as a hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. The interior was spacious, with heated and ventilated front seats, a four-zone climate control system, and a third-row seat for additional passengers. Despite its dated technology, the Land Cruiser provided a comfortable and commanding driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 2.3-liter engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the 2.7-liter was paired with a 10-speed automatic. All models featured standard four-wheel drive. During testing in challenging weather conditions, the Bronco demonstrated its off-road prowess, handling mud, rocks, and trails with ease. The First Edition model, equipped with the Sasquatch package and 35-inch tires, provided a noisy but capable ride on pavement. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were further enhanced by its smart electronics and flexible setup, making it a fun and capable off-roader.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its full-time four-wheel-drive system featured a two-speed transfer case and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were supported by features like Active Traction Control, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. On the road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined and quiet ride, with a focus on comfort and luxury. Despite its size, it handled well, though parking required some effort. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, making it a capable choice for those needing to haul heavy loads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco excelled in modularity and practicality. Its removable doors came with dedicated storage bags and easy-to-use electrical connections, allowing for quick removal and reinstallation. The Bronco's design included removable fenders, bumpers, and a one-piece grille, making repairs and upgrades straightforward. Inside, the Bronco featured intuitive controls for off-road settings and auxiliary equipment, with a focus on functionality and ease of use. The interior was designed for adventure, with durable materials and practical storage solutions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser offered a luxurious interior with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was spacious and comfortable, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat provided additional passenger capacity, though leg support was limited. The Land Cruiser's cargo space was accessible via a split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate, offering 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was comfortable and well-appointed.

The 2021 Ford Bronco featured the SYNC 4 infotainment system with enhanced voice recognition. The standard 8-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to a 12-inch display, and the Lux Package added a 10-speaker B&O sound system and wireless charging. The Bronco's G.O.A.T. system offered multiple drive modes for various terrains, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Sasquatch Package included Bilstein shock absorbers for improved off-road performance.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was more traditional, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but offered Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while the rear-seat entertainment system included dual screens and HDMI connections. The 14-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality, though it was not as advanced as other high-end systems.

The 2021 Ford Bronco offered a range of safety features, with more advanced options available on higher trim levels. The Base model included airbags, while the Mid Package added features like a reverse sensing system, Ford Co-Pilot 360, and a rear-view camera. The High Package included a 360-degree camera and forward-sensing system. The Bronco's side curtain airbags were designed to deploy appropriately in off-road situations, enhancing safety during adventurous drives.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including 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, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping.