2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

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 finished in Magnetic Gray with Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured oversized headlights and taillights, with an abundance of chrome. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota parts-bin switchgear with Lexus design themes, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall experience was akin to a nostalgic journey back in time, though not far enough to capture the SUV's former glory.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan boasted clean lines and balanced proportions, offering a conservative yet upscale aesthetic that promised to age gracefully. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, with a long-wheelbase version that provided ample interior space, nearly rivaling that of a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. The interior was roomy and accommodating, with a focus on practicality and comfort. The Tiguan's design was understated, with modern geometric forms and a no-nonsense control layout. While the cabin featured shiny detailing and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system, it was not without its shortcomings, such as the presence of hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan's design was a testament to Volkswagen's commitment to timeless elegance and functionality.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. This engine was remarkably quiet during acceleration, with just enough of its characteristic note audible to remind drivers of its power. The Land Cruiser achieved an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA rating of 14 mpg in combined driving. Power was delivered to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The SUV's off-road prowess was enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of traction control systems. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight was evident in its handling. The SUV was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds, showcasing its capability.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the front wheels by default, with the option of 4Motion AWD. The engine, while adequate, suffered from turbocharger lag, leading to a delayed response in certain driving situations. The Tiguan's curb weight of nearly 4,000 pounds contributed to a perception of lethargy during acceleration. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing revealed an average of 22.6 mpg. Despite these drawbacks, the Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling. However, its suspension struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks. On the highway, the Tiguan was quiet and composed, making it suitable for long road trips.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while dated in appearance, was luxurious with plush, premium leather upholstery covering the seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated as well. The SUV offered a commanding view of the road, with a roomy second-row bench seat that included heated cushions. The Land Cruiser featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. A three-passenger third-row seat was standard, though leg support was lacking. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The maximum cargo capacity was 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats down.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort, with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, and the V-Tex leatherette upholstery mimicked real leather. The back seat provided excellent support and generous legroom, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row. Maximum capacity was between 65.7 and 73.5 cubic feet. The SUV featured a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for versatile cargo and passenger configurations.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system ran on Toyota Entune technology, lacking depth and modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the SUV offered a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while the rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, with non-touchscreen displays and limited streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system was standard, though it fell short of high-end audio systems in other SUVs.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, available from the SE trim. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and a range of features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line offered a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Tiguan's technology was understated, with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came with 10 airbags and a substantial curb weight, offering a good chance of survival in collisions with smaller vehicles. However, crash-test ratings were unavailable due to the SUV's older engineering. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Land Cruiser also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. Advanced driving assistance systems were limited, lacking features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with IQ Drive, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. Standard features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan's parking sensors and reversing camera provided additional safety, though the automatic braking system could be overly sensitive. The SUV earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, thanks to high-performing LED headlights.