2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a nostalgic experience with its Heritage Edition trim. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray paint and Terra semi-aniline leather upholstery. From the outside, it resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with oversized headlights and taillights, and an abundance of chrome. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with Lexus design themes, featuring high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall experience was akin to a trip back in time, with a blend of old-school charm and modern luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, with a hybrid RX 450h option. The RX's aggressive styling stood out among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The F Sport trim, in particular, added performance-oriented features such as 20-inch wheels and a unique front fascia. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with nearly a dozen color combinations, while the F Sport trim added sporty elements like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite some dated elements, the RX maintained a high-fashion appeal with a focus on comfort and quietness.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. The engine's roar was subdued, contributing to a quiet cabin, but the fuel economy was less than impressive, averaging 14.7 mpg. The Land Cruiser featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by 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 affected maneuverability. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for 308 hp. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked true sporty performance, with a subdued engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added features like an adaptive variable suspension and Sport+ drive mode, but the differences in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing road imperfections with ease. Fuel efficiency varied, with the RX 350 achieving 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h hybrid offered 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The three-passenger second-row bench was roomy, and the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward. Cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the standard two-row model, with comfortable seating for four adults. The three-row L models had limited space for passengers and cargo, with only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder. Cargo capacity varied, with up to 58.48 cubic feet available in the three-row model with both back rows down.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. The system lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the interface was basic, with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was dated, with 11.6-inch displays that could play DVDs but not stream content. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. The infotainment system was responsive but ergonomically challenging due to its placement. The RX offered a range of tech features, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The touchpad interface was frustrating to use, but the RX included quality tech amenities like multiple USB ports and premium audio systems.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Land Cruiser.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ with adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.