2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Subaru Outback

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 the focus of this review, came in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior design was reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with oversized headlights and taillights, and a chrome-heavy, two-box shape 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. The overall experience was akin to a trip back in time, offering a blend of luxury and nostalgia.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, maintained a familiar and comfortable feel, akin to a decade-old Subaru. The interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a modern 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Outback's interior quality was a significant improvement over pre-2015 models, with substantial materials and comfortable seating. The Onyx Edition XT added a touch of flair with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching. Externally, the Outback's design was smooth and plain, with high gray cladding for protection and a few chrome accents. It retained its identity as a lifted wagon, offering a practical alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

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 experience. The SUV averaged 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg rating. Its 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, Active Traction Control, and Multi-Terrain Select enhanced its off-road prowess. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined, albeit somewhat disconnected, driving experience, with a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, in its base form, was equipped with a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower. This engine struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in sluggish performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbo XT achieving 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Its handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru's AWD system provided excellent traction, with X-Mode optimizing performance in challenging conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding driving position and a four-zone climate control system with 28 air vents. However, storage space was limited, with a small center console and a "cool box" that underwhelmed. The third-row seating was cramped for adults, and cargo space was modest, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin offered ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets and bottle holders. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were limited to higher trims. The Outback's standout feature was its integrated roof rails and crossbars, offering convenience and cost savings.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. However, it lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its interface was dated. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was similarly outdated, though a 14-speaker JBL audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, while visually dated, offered modern functionality with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. However, the system relied solely on cameras, which could limit functionality in certain conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked advanced features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for this model.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger chassis and additional airbags, with driver assists available on higher trims. It earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four stars in specific tests. The Outback's safety features and ratings were more comprehensive than the Land Cruiser's.