2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic experience with its classic design elements. The standard model, dressed in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery, presented a blend of old-school charm and modern luxury. Its exterior, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured oversized headlights and taillights, with chrome accents adding a touch of flair. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's familiar switchgear with high-quality materials, creating a plush yet somewhat dated environment. The presence of a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player further emphasized its retro appeal, making it feel like a time capsule from the mid-2000s.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large and distinct design. Its massive grille, LED lights, and towering taillights paid homage to classic Cadillac tailfins, while the front end resembled a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's styling elements emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels appearing small against its vast sheet metal. The SUV offered different trim options, with bright or darkened exterior accents for luxury and sport models, respectively. Built on a body-on-frame architecture shared with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade's interior boasted luxury features like leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, though it lacked a cohesive design theme.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, was remarkably quiet during acceleration, with just enough engine note filtering into the cabin. The Land Cruiser achieved an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg, slightly better than its EPA rating of 14 mpg. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided robust off-road capabilities. The SUV featured a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of off-road technologies like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, making it a formidable off-road performer. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability and handling.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine, tested for this review, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it effective for towing. The Escalade's maximum towing capacity was 8,200 pounds with the gasoline engine, slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator. Despite its independent rear suspension and available air suspension, the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, with vibrations transmitted through the cabin. Its off-road capabilities were limited compared to its GM cousins, lacking specialized off-road trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious, felt dated. It featured plush leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The SUV offered a commanding driving position with excellent visibility. The second-row bench seat was spacious and included heated cushions, while the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade, sharing its platform with other GM full-size SUVs, offered a spacious cabin with the most first-row and third-row legroom among luxury SUVs. It featured standard second-row captain's chairs and a power-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo capacity, with 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 109.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, the raised center console limited storage space, and the front seats, though adjustable, felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Cadillac included dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to simpler times. It featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology, lacking modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required tapping rather than swiping, and its voice recognition was basic. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, though it was not touchscreen-enabled and lacked streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end competitors.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens for a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen, and trip-computer functions. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a well-integrated design that blended seamlessly with the dashboard. The Escalade included physical toggles for climate control and a 360-degree camera system with high-resolution OLED screens. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and augmented-reality navigation. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, while standard, was challenging to tune for optimal sound quality.

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, the Land Cruiser lacked advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for this model.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. It featured Cadillac's vibrating Safety Alert Seat for warnings and included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated hands-free driving system, was available as an option, providing automated lane changes and highway driving. While Super Cruise impressed with its smooth operation, safety ratings for the Escalade were not published by IIHS or NHTSA.