2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since its 2005 launch, continued to impress with its luxurious design and modern features. The 2018 refresh, which carried over into 2021, introduced a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. The addition of a plug-in hybrid variant in 2020, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, kept the model competitive. The Range Rover Sport offered a range of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and a premium sound system, to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and a powerful V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, celebrated its heritage with a special edition trim. The standard model, however, was more subdued, with a design reminiscent of older Toyota SUVs. Its interior, while plush with premium leather and a commanding driving position, felt dated with a mix of older design elements. The Land Cruiser's exterior was characterized by large headlights and chrome accents, maintaining a classic SUV look. Despite its dated appearance, the Land Cruiser's interior offered comfort with heated and ventilated seats and a four-zone climate control system.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains, starting with the base P360 mild-hybrid system, which combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more powerful P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The P400e plug-in hybrid variant provided 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the diesel option offered 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 hp, and the SVR models pushed this to 575 hp. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Its full-time 4WD system included a two-speed transfer case and a Torsen limited-slip differential, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was further supported by features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. Despite its robust off-road capabilities, the Land Cruiser's on-road performance was characterized by a smooth, quiet ride, though it required more steering effort in tight spaces. It had a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet and was best suited for children. The first and second rows provided ample space and comfort, while the third row was notably tight.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious, offered limited storage space. It featured a three-passenger second-row bench with heated seats and a standard three-passenger third-row seat, which could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen managing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system's dials allowed for easy control of various functions, though the overall interface was not the most intuitive.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Toyota Entune technology, lacking the depth and sophistication expected in a high-end SUV. It did not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the voice-recognition system was basic. The dashboard was equipped with large buttons and knobs for easy control, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was available, though it was dated and lacked streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available at an extra cost. Other options included a surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, 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 and lane-centering assistance.