2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic design, characterized by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. It offered a rugged, toy-like appearance that appealed to many enthusiasts. The Wrangler's design varied slightly with different trim levels, featuring options like painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops, but it always retained its unmistakable identity. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized function over comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments. Despite these features, many drivers found charm in its utilitarian nature.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser presented a more traditional SUV appearance, with a basic two-box shape adorned with chrome accents and large headlights. Its interior was a blend of high-quality materials and dated design elements, offering a plush and premium feel. The Land Cruiser's cabin was spacious, with supportive leather seats and a commanding view of the road. It featured a four-zone climate control system and numerous air vents, ensuring comfort for all passengers. Despite its luxurious interior, the Land Cruiser's exterior design lacked the character and distinctiveness of the Wrangler.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a powerful Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting sway bar. The Rubicon 392 variant boasted a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming it into an off-road powerhouse.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser 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 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case. 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. Despite its size and weight, the Land Cruiser offered a smooth and refined driving experience on pavement, with a focus on comfort and luxury.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's interior was functional, with limited storage space but practical features like drain plugs for easy cleaning. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. It featured a four-zone climate control system and ample space for passengers, including a three-passenger third-row seat. 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 seats folded. Its split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, and the lower tailgate served as a convenient seating area.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's technology offerings varied by trim, with the Sport featuring a basic 5-inch screen. Higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera for enhanced trail visibility.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its voice-recognition system was limited. The Land Cruiser's dashboard was equipped with large buttons and knobs for easy control, and it included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was standard, and a live tire-pressure monitoring system was available for off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.