2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a nostalgic nod to its heritage with the Heritage Edition trim. However, the standard model, which was reviewed, came in Magnetic Gray with Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. From the outside, it resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with oversized headlights and taillights, and a chrome-heavy design that lacked distinct character. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design elements, featuring high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a retro yet luxurious atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V presented a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its design was distinctive, with converging window lines near the taillights and rear door handles. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport model boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, providing a solid yet unpretentious cabin experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. Despite its power, the engine's roar was subdued, contributing to a quiet cabin but resulting in a fuel economy of 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg rating. The eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided robust off-road capabilities. Features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire enhanced its ruggedness. The Land Cruiser's sophisticated suspension system, including the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), ensured maximum wheel articulation. On-road, it offered a refined, Lexus-like driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While the powertrain was underwhelming for highway driving, the HR-V's chassis compensated with engaging handling on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun-to-drive vehicles. The HR-V's AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for off-road adventures, and it lacked towing capabilities. Despite its limitations, the HR-V provided a decent ride quality, making it a practical choice for urban environments.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The cabin featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents, ensuring comfort for all passengers. The second-row bench seat was spacious, with heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable 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 convenient access.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space, thanks to its "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the rear seats down, it offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), surpassing many competitors. Even with the seats up, it provided 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD). The HR-V also offered generous rear-seat legroom, leading its segment, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large climate control knobs and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, ensuring ease of use.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but it lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system relied on Toyota Entune technology, offering basic functionality with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, supporting DVDs and game systems via HDMI connections. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis premium audio system provided good sound quality, though it fell short of high-end audio systems in other luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V offered a more modern infotainment experience. The base LX trim included Bluetooth and a 5-inch display, while higher trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was straightforward, with USB ports conveniently located for easy access. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was smaller than some competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard across all trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Land Cruiser.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It offered Honda Sensing safety features on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Honda's LaneWatch provided an enhanced view from a mirror-mounted camera. The HR-V's rearview camera included dynamic gridlines on higher trims, enhancing safety during parking maneuvers.