2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover was a symbol of luxury and sophistication, a far cry from its rugged origins. Over the years, it evolved into a high-end vehicle, with prices starting at $92,000 and reaching upwards of $250,000 with various customizations. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, offering a blend of elegance and modernity. Its design, with hallmark cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling, gave it a timeless appeal. Inside, the Range Rover exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a more traditional and utilitarian design. The standard model, with Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, lacked the character of its Heritage Edition counterpart. Its exterior was adorned with chrome and large lights, giving it a basic two-box shape. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a mix of old-school charm and modern comfort. Despite its dated appearance, the interior was plush, with premium leather and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine in the HSE Westminster edition, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capability. The Terrain Response 2 traction control system provided multiple modes for various conditions. The Range Rover excelled in providing a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension filtering road harshness. However, its steering was slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity led to side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, offered a quiet and refined driving experience. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case ensured robust off-road capability. The engine's 401 pound-feet of torque, available at 2,200 rpm, provided unexpected thrust, and the 'ECT Second' feature allowed for smoother launches. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was further enhanced by a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of traction control systems. On pavement, the SUV delivered a refined ride, though steering required more effort. The Land Cruiser's towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds, and it averaged 14.7 mpg in testing, slightly better than the EPA's 14 mpg estimate.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier access, though shorter passengers still found entry challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, despite its dated appearance, was luxurious with plush leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the SUV offered a commanding view. The second-row bench seat was roomy and included heated cushions, while the third-row seat accommodated adults if the second row slid forward. Cargo space was 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. The maximum cargo space was 82.8 cubic feet, accessible via a split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while not entirely intuitive, was manageable for those familiar with smartphones. However, using the touchscreens while driving was distracting, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler time, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It ran on Toyota Entune technology, lacking depth and modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality, though not on par with high-end systems in other SUVs.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured 10 airbags and standard Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.