2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which were best showcased in Midnight Black. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, featured oversized headlights and taillights, along with an abundance of chrome, giving it a somewhat dated appearance. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design themes, offering high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a sense of time travel to a not-so-distant past.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including exterior styling revisions and enhanced infotainment technology. The front of the vehicle featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, while the rear received updated taillights and a new bumper. The Expedition was available in various trims, including the new Timberline trim for off-road enthusiasts. The test vehicle, a Stone Blue Metallic Limited Stealth Edition, boasted black 22-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. Inside, the Expedition showcased a redesigned dashboard with the latest Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a modern and tech-savvy experience. The spacious interior, with leather-lined seats and advanced technology, made the Expedition a comfortable and impressive choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and quiet ride, with the engine's roar hushed to nearly imperceptible levels. The Land Cruiser's full-time four-wheel-drive system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and various off-road features, such as Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, made it a formidable off-road vehicle. Despite its off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser's fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.7 mpg during testing. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight required some effort when maneuvering.

The 2022 Ford Expedition, equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, produced 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The engine's power was addictive, and the 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts. The Expedition's fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 16.2 mpg. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, depending on the model and equipment. While the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension improved handling, it also contributed to a sometimes harsh ride quality. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and parking sensors. On the highway, the Expedition excelled, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, making it ideal for long road trips.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though dated in appearance, offered a luxurious experience with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The three-passenger second-row bench seat provided ample space, while the third-row seat, though accommodating adults, lacked leg support for longer trips. The Land Cruiser's 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 and tailgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom and comfort, while the third-row seat provided outstanding leg support. The Expedition's cargo space was generous, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space for those needing additional capacity. The Expedition's interior was designed for convenience, with power running boards and a wide console for storage.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to simpler times, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system relied on Toyota Entune technology, which felt outdated for a vehicle in this price range. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was equally dated. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality but fell short compared to high-end audio systems in other SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford's next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a modern and sophisticated experience. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while the optional Sync 4A system featured a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. The Expedition's technology package included a choice of Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems, with the 22-speaker B&O Unleashed system available on higher trims. The Expedition also offered advanced features like Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came 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. Additionally, the Land Cruiser featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through its Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-centering assist, and new features like intersection assist and evasive steering assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package, available on higher trims, included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. The Expedition also offered Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology for approved highways.