2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Volvo XC60

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 complemented by the Midnight Black color. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray with Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was adorned with oversized headlights and taillights, and a generous amount of chrome, giving it a somewhat dated appearance. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design, offering high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a sense of traveling back in time.

In contrast, the 2022 Volvo XC60 received subtle styling updates that enhanced its sporty appeal. The new front fascia featured "air blades" for a dynamic look, while the rear bumper concealed the tailpipes, and new wheel designs were introduced. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a solid foundation. Inside, the XC60 maintained its clean design with a new digital instrument cluster, a portrait-oriented touchscreen, and minimal clutter. The R-Design trim added flair with aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, while the Inscription trim offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, providing a more subdued yet luxurious interior.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. Despite its power, the engine's roar was muted, contributing to a quiet cabin experience. The Land Cruiser averaged 14.7 mpg, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg rating. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case ensured robust performance. The SUV's off-road prowess was supported by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of traction control features, including Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. On-road, the Land Cruiser offered a refined ride, though its nearly 3-ton weight required some effort when maneuvering.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 options. The B5 delivered 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 offered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 available in FWD or AWD, and the B6 exclusively in AWD. The XC60's acceleration was slightly slower than the 2021 model, with the B5 reaching 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and the B6 in 5.9 seconds. The mild-hybrid system provided smooth power delivery, and the XC60 excelled in comfort and quietness, especially with the optional air suspension. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, achieving 60 mph in 5 seconds, while the Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a 4.9-second 0-60 mph time.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, while luxurious, was somewhat dated in appearance. It featured plush leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. The second-row bench seat offered ample space and comfort, with heated cushions and a four-zone climate control system. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted, though leg support was lacking. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but limited rear-seat headroom. Legroom was average for the segment. The mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with them down, while plug-in hybrids had slightly less capacity. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors. Despite its somewhat pinched roofline, rear visibility was also commendable.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was a throwback to simpler times. It featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology, lacking modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system required tapping rather than swiping, and voice recognition was basic. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, which was not touchscreen and couldn't stream content. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end competitors.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system integrated Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to third-party apps via the Google Play Store. Over-the-air updates were also possible. The system was compatible with iPhones, though Android users benefited from additional features. The digital instrument cluster offered a "Calm" setting to minimize distractions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and 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. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2022, but the 2021 model received top safety ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. Volvo's Pilot Assist system, combining adaptive cruise control and lane centering, was available as an option.