2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 added a rugged charm. However, the standard model, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, presented a more subdued exterior. The Land Cruiser's design was marked by oversized headlights and a chrome-heavy aesthetic, which some might have found lacking in character. Inside, the SUV combined high-quality materials with a mix of Toyota and Lexus design elements, offering a plush yet somewhat dated interior experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson introduced a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with a spacious two-row seating arrangement. The Tucson's exterior featured a distinctive parametric grille with integrated LED lighting, creating a striking visual signature. Its side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, while the rear showcased unique LED taillights. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, with a focus on spaciousness and modern design, making it competitive with other compact SUVs in its class.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. This engine delivered 401 pound-feet of torque, with 90% available at just 2,200 rpm, providing robust off-road capability. The Land Cruiser's full-time four-wheel-drive system, Torsen limited-slip differential, and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist made it a formidable off-road vehicle. Despite its off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser's on-road performance was characterized by a quiet and refined ride, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability. The SUV's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 14.7 mpg in testing.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and a hybrid variant with a combined output of 226 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain provided a more engaging driving experience, with better fuel efficiency than the ICE model. The Tucson's hybrid model achieved 37 mpg combined, while the ICE model targeted 28 mpg combined. The Tucson's all-wheel-drive system performed well in off-road conditions, offering a level of capability comparable to Subaru's AWD system. The forthcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even more power and efficiency, with an estimated 261 horsepower.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding driving position and a spacious second-row bench seat with heated cushions. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable for adults on long trips. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. Despite its upscale materials, the Land Cruiser's interior design felt dated.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted a spacious and well-appointed interior, with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard. Higher trims offered additional features like ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with 74.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The rear seats provided ample legroom, and the dual-level cargo floor added versatility. The Tucson's interior design was modern and competitive with other compact SUVs.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. However, it lacked modern connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's interface was basic, with large buttons and knobs for easy operation. The rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, offering DVD playback but no streaming capabilities. The standard JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The Tucson's tech features included a digital instrument cluster and a user-friendly interface. The touchpoints on the center console were responsive, though the lack of physical buttons required reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands.

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 features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The Land Cruiser's crash-test ratings were unavailable, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through Hyundai SmartSense, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and driver attention monitoring. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. The Tucson's safety offerings were comparable to those of luxury SUVs, though it had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.