2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. This edition was available in four colors, with Midnight Black being the standout choice, complemented by bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof storage basket. However, the standard Land Cruiser, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray paint with Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured oversized headlights and taillights, along with a chrome-heavy two-box shape. Inside, the Land Cruiser showcased a blend of Toyota parts-bin switchgear and Lexus design themes, with high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall experience was akin to a nostalgic journey back in time, albeit not far enough to when these SUVs were the pinnacle of desirability.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years prior, maintained a rugged and utilitarian design that aged well. Its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches exuded balanced proportions and timeless styling. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition. Priced at $38,565 for the RWD model, the Trail Special Edition featured black cloth upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a custom-made cooler. The interior, dominated by hard plastic, was practical and easy to clean, with a dashboard featuring large knobs and buttons. The 4Runner's charm lay in its simplicity and durability, appealing to those seeking a reliable and straightforward SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. It also boasted advanced systems like Active Traction Control, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control, making it capable of tackling challenging terrains. On the road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, with a quiet cabin and smooth handling, despite its nearly 3-ton weight. It had a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, but its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 14.7 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Trail Special Edition featured a part-time 4WD drivetrain, with A-Trac off-road traction control as standard. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, handling mud, hills, and ruts with ease. However, on pavement, it felt slow and clunky, with heavy steering and brakes. Its truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but its fuel economy was modest, averaging 16.8 mpg. The 4Runner's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and it offered a rugged and capable off-road experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though dated, was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was spacious and comfortable, with heated cushions and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The third-row seat, while accommodating adults, lacked leg support for longer trips. Cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, and the lower tailgate served as a convenient seating area.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offered a comfortable interior with supportive front and rear seats, ample legroom, and good visibility. The Trail Special Edition featured a sliding cargo deck, which could hold up to 440 pounds, and a back bumper that doubled as a seating area. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The 4Runner's interior storage was decent, and the big roof rack provided additional space for adventures.

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 the voice-recognition system was limited. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, but a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis premium audio system provided good sound quality. The Land Cruiser's technology was functional but not cutting-edge, reflecting its traditional approach.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation and voice recognition, enhancing the system's functionality. The 4Runner's technology was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation. The system's software was sophisticated, providing a modern and connected experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with 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 and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS. These ratings reflected the SUV's age and design.