2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX, available in NX 300 and NX 300 F Sport gasoline models, carried forward the brand's signature design elements. The NX's sharp exterior lines and sculpted appearance were reminiscent of its Lexus siblings, the UX and RX, and it shared similar dimensions with the Toyota RAV4. Standard features included power-folding mirrors and 17-inch wheels, while the F Sport variant added sporty touches like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the F Sport boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior, with a focus on high-quality materials and a familiar gauge cluster design. However, the center stack's outdated look and lack of open storage space were notable drawbacks.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, particularly in its Heritage Edition, celebrated its 65th anniversary with a nostalgic design. The standard model, however, presented a more subdued appearance with Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. The exterior, adorned with chrome and large lights, lacked character, resembling an upgraded first-generation Toyota Highlander. Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a mix of Toyota parts and Lexus design themes, with plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. Despite its dated feel, the interior exuded a sense of luxury, though it lacked the modernity found in newer SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, allowed the NX to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. While the powertrain could be noisy under hard acceleration, the ride was generally quiet. The NX offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter capable of transferring up to 50% of torque to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD variant had a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX featured an adaptive suspension system and three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, influencing throttle response and steering assist. The SUV had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivered 401 pound-feet of torque. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided impressive off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser's Torsen limited-slip differential and various traction control systems, including Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, enhanced its off-road prowess. Despite its size, the SUV offered a smooth and refined ride on pavement, though it required more steering effort when parking. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, and its fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.7 mpg in testing.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured a well-styled and comfortable interior, with ample room for front and rear passengers. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology was available, along with power-folding rear seats.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though dated, was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the SUV featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The second-row bench seat was roomy and heated, while the third-row seat 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 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Lexus NX came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. However, the Lexus infotainment system was criticized for its lack of user-friendliness. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX also offered a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system and compatibility with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Toyota Entune technology. The system lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its voice-recognition capabilities were limited. The SUV included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, and the rear-seat entertainment system, though dated, offered DVD playback and HDMI connections.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with park assist and a surround-view camera system available. The NX received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall safety rating from the latter.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SUV also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, and crash-test ratings were not available.