2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a modern take on the classic SUV design, with a family resemblance to other Ford SUVs like the Escape and Edge. Its exterior was marked by sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, making it stand out from other brands. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model featuring cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and ample storage space. The XLT trim was the most popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser exuded a more traditional and luxurious vibe, especially in its Heritage Edition trim. The exterior, while somewhat reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was adorned with giant headlights, taillights, and chrome accents. Inside, the Land Cruiser boasted high-quality materials and a mix of Toyota and Lexus design elements. The plush leather seats and wood-and-leather steering wheel added to its premium feel. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior was spacious, with a commanding view and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The third-row seat was standard, offering decent space for adults if the second row was adjusted.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was equipped with a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission across all trims. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST boasted 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control. Despite its impressive off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser's fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.7 mpg. It had a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to haul heavy loads.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. It provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With the rear seats folded, the Explorer offered 81 cubic feet of cargo space, which was competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was spacious and included heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded. The maximum cargo space was 82.8 cubic feet, accessible via a split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a Bang & Olufsen audio system with up to 14 speakers. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and power outlets for charging devices.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Toyota Entune technology. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the voice-recognition system was limited. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system. Despite its dated technology, the Land Cruiser's controls were straightforward and easy to use.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) as standard, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driver-assistance systems, which limited its competitiveness in the safety department.