2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 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, creating a retro yet luxurious atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, despite its high price tag, maintained a more understated appearance, similar to a rental car. It lacked the larger wheels of its non-hybrid counterpart and didn't offer an Adventure trim level. However, the RAV4 Hybrid's design exuded a rugged charm, with a need for bolder wheels to enhance its tough look. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was stylish and practical, with a mix of quality materials and some hard plastics. The interior was functional, with a few rattles, but overall, it provided a comfortable and user-friendly environment.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, but its roar was subdued to near silence during acceleration. It achieved an average 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 impressive off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser featured a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of off-road technologies like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. On-road, it offered a refined, Lexus-like driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight required more steering effort during parking. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with front and rear electric motors, producing 219 horsepower. It offered several driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV, with a whirring noise in EV mode for pedestrian awareness. Weighing between 3,690 and 3,780 pounds, the RAV4 Hybrid felt lively due to instant electric-motor torque, though the engine's sound was less pleasant at high revs. It achieved an average of 39.7 mpg, close to the EPA's 40 mpg rating. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension and steering provided a comfortable and agreeable driving experience, though its tires lacked grip in corners. Off-road, it managed well with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and Trail mode.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat offered ample space and comfort, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward, though leg support was limited. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum of 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided convenient access.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom and foot space were decent, with reclining backrests and heated cushions. The dashboard was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and an easy-to-use infotainment system. Storage was practical, with useful shelves and cupholders. The cargo area provided 37.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology, lacking modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required tapping rather than swiping, and the voice-recognition system was basic. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system, though it felt dated compared to other high-end SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered a choice of infotainment systems, with the top-tier version featuring an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition were included, along with several connected services. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered advanced camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

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

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. It also offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning on most trims. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.