2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

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 celebrated the SUV's 65th anniversary with distinctive features like bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, best showcased in Midnight Black. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was less visually striking, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. The exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was adorned with oversized headlights and a chrome-heavy finish, lacking the character one might expect from such a legendary nameplate. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed high-quality materials with dated design elements, including a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player, evoking a sense of time travel to the mid-2000s.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota RAV4, a product of its 2019 redesign, continued to evolve from its origins as a "cute-ute" into a mature crossover SUV. Its exterior design, while blending in with contemporary crossovers, featured angular wheel arches and expressive headlights that gave it a playful yet aggressive demeanor. The RAV4's interior boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and a user-friendly center stack, anchored by a touchscreen interface. The Adventure-trim test vehicle highlighted the RAV4's attention to detail, with a geometric pattern tying together various cabin elements, including the cloth seat inserts and dash pieces. This design approach, combined with Toyota's renowned fit-and-finish, elevated the RAV4's overall quality.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, yet its roar was subdued to near silence during acceleration. This quiet powertrain contributed to its less-than-stellar fuel economy, averaging 14.7 mpg, slightly above the EPA's 14 mpg combined rating. The Land Cruiser's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided robust off-road capabilities. Features like the Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control underscored its legendary off-road prowess. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, akin to a Lexus, though its nearly 3-ton weight required more steering effort during parking maneuvers. With a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, the Land Cruiser was built to conquer any terrain.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a choice of three powertrains, with the gasoline-only model featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, this engine delivered smooth and immediate power, free from turbo lag. The RAV4's fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models achieving up to 30 mpg combined. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime added electrified options, with the Prime boasting 302 horsepower and an electric-only range of 42 miles. The RAV4's car-like handling, supported by a four-wheel independent suspension, provided a comfortable ride, while AWD models featured Multi-Terrain Select tuning for improved handling. The RAV4's performance was further enhanced by its fuel-saving rear-driveline disconnect, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious with premium leather upholstery and heated seats, was somewhat dated in design. The SUV offered a commanding driving position and a spacious second-row bench seat with heated cushions. However, storage space was limited, with a small center console bin and a "cool box" that underwhelmed. The third-row seat, though accommodating adults with some compromise, lacked leg support for longer journeys. Cargo space was modest, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, classified as a small SUV, offered generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. Its payload capacity ranged from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds, depending on configuration. Towing capabilities varied, with Adventure and TRD Off-Road models rated for up to 3,500 pounds. Inside, the RAV4 provided a comfortable environment for four adults, with ample legroom and storage options, including cupholders and a roomy glove compartment. The second-row bench seat, while less spacious in the middle position, was suitable for short trips.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to simpler times, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system, running on Toyota Entune, lacked depth and modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system felt outdated. However, the Land Cruiser did offer a 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system, though it fell short of high-end competitors.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a robust suite of technology, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and expanding to a 9-inch screen on higher trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, along with a six-speaker audio system. The RAV4 Prime showcased advanced technology, with features like a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad, a bird’s-eye view camera system, and a 10-inch head-up display. The Premium Audio setup on Limited models and the RAV4 Prime XSE offered an 11-speaker JBL audio system and navigation, though smartphone integration made factory navigation less essential.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, with its 10 airbags and substantial curb weight, provided a sense of security, though it lacked modern crash-test ratings. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) was standard, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Land Cruiser did not include more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control or lane-centering assistance, which limited its competitiveness in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 excelled in safety, with the Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across all models. This suite included features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RAV4 earned top safety ratings, with the RAV4 Prime achieving a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, underscoring its commitment to occupant protection.