2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern, revised exterior lighting, and additional lower body trim. It featured unique 20-inch wheels and upgraded interior detailing, including a simulated suede headliner. In 2020, some of these features were standard on the Limited trim, which in 2021 adopted an exterior look similar to the Palisade SEL with certain option packages. The Calligraphy trim made the Palisade appear more luxurious, drawing attention with its unconventional styling. Inside, the Calligraphy’s cabin, with its Beige over Navy Blue color scheme and premium Nappa leather, was considered a bargain for its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in its Heritage Edition, celebrated its 65th anniversary with a distinctive Midnight Black color, bronze BBS wheels, and retro badges. However, the standard Land Cruiser, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, looked more like a first-generation Highlander with excessive chrome. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. The interior felt like a throwback, lacking the modern flair of its competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Drivers could select from Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport driving modes, with AWD models adding Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade AWD achieved an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaged 21.1 mpg. The Palisade's firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive, though not particularly fun. It was easy to handle in urban and suburban environments, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. It averaged 14.7 mpg on our testing loop, slightly better than the EPA rating of 14 mpg. The Land Cruiser's off-road capability was enhanced by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. It included features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select for challenging terrains. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though it required more steering effort when parking. It had a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered a spacious and accessible interior, especially in Calligraphy trim. It featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and separate climate controls for third-row passengers. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom and support, and the third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class. The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 86.4 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, though it could be disabled if desired.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while swanky, offered limited storage space. It featured plush leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row bench seat was roomy, with heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward. Cargo space measured 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access, and the lower tailgate served as a convenient seating area.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems: an 8-inch and a 10.25-inch touchscreen display. Both allowed pairing of two smartphones to Bluetooth, but only the 8-inch system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Calligraphy trim included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and Blue Link connected services. Other features included wireless smartphone charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, and a head-up display. A surround-view camera system aided parking and maneuvering.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, lacking swipe or scroll functionality. It ran Toyota Entune technology, without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The system included Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, with 11.6-inch displays and HDMI connections. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. It included a rear occupant alert system and active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. Highway Drive Assist offered adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with three free years of Blue Link services for emergency assistance.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Land Cruiser's 10 airbags and substantial curb weight offered a good chance of survival in collisions.