2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray paint and featured Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery. From the outside, the Land Cruiser's design was reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with oversized headlights and taillights, and an abundance of chrome. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design elements, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a retro yet luxurious atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, yet distinguished itself with a unique front-end design featuring the Infiniti grille. The QX80's exterior was tastefully adorned with LED lighting and chrome accents, complemented by stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels. Inside, the QX80's cabin was outfitted with upscale materials, including quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats and tasteful wood trim. Despite its luxurious appointments, the QX80's interior design was beginning to show its age, especially when compared to its premium full-size SUV competitors.

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 lb-ft of torque, with 90% available at just 2,200 rpm, providing unexpected thrust in first gear. The Land Cruiser's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, ensured its legendary off-road capability. Features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control made it a formidable off-road machine. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, with a smooth ride and a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 boasted a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, delivered robust performance and a pleasing exhaust note. The QX80's transmission offered smooth shifts and quick kickdowns for passing. While two-wheel drive was standard, four-wheel drive was available, featuring a computer-controlled transfer case with multiple settings. The QX80's off-road capability was enhanced by its 9.2 inches of ground clearance. With a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, the QX80 was well-suited for hauling large trailers or boats. Despite its size, the QX80 managed body lean effectively, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while dated in appearance, offered a luxurious experience with premium leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The SUV's tall seating position provided a commanding view, and the second-row bench seat was spacious and comfortable. The third-row seat, though accommodating, lacked leg support for long trips. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, but expanded to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter, due to its tall ride height. Inside, the cabin felt open and airy, with good head- and legroom in the front seats. The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat. However, the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was more generous than the Land Cruiser, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and third-row seats, though convenient, operated slowly.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. However, it lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was straightforward but dated, with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was similarly outdated, offering DVD playback but no streaming capabilities. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display, offering Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system included navigation, voice recognition, and connected services. A Bose 13-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series system available on higher trims. The QX80 also featured a wireless smartphone charger and a dual-screen rear entertainment system, though HDMI adapters were missing. Notably, the QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance 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 lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Land Cruiser.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety items included driver attention alert and front knee airbags. The QX80 received a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model earning four stars for overall crash protection.