The modern automotive landscape is brimming with a vast array of SUVs, catering to a diverse range of needs and budgets. Among this sea of SUVs, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia and the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser stand out as distinct offerings from Toyota. While the Sequoia embodies the spirit of the supersized 1990s SUV era, known for its spaciousness and robust capabilities, the Land Cruiser presents itself as a large luxury SUV with a price tag to match. In this detailed comparison, we will delve into the look and feel, performance, and form and function of these two SUVs, helping you make an informed decision on which one best suits your preferences.
2021 Toyota Sequoia vs. 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser: Toyota SUVs Compared
Look and Feel
CarGurus experts have rated the 2021 Toyota Sequoia with a score of 7 out of 10 in terms of look and feel. This rating reflects the Sequoia's age, as it hasn't seen a major update since its second-generation was introduction in 2007 (a new Sequoia arrived for the 2023 model year). Despite some updates in 2018, the 2021 Sequoia retains a somewhat dated appearance. The 2018 facelift included changes to the headlights and grille. However, the overall design may appear subtle on such a large vehicle. Inside, the Sequoia exhibits a design that harkens back to the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dashboard layout. The front seats, while comfortable, may feel a bit bulky for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof.
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia offers various trim levels, including SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and the top-tier Platinum. The entry-level SR5 boasts features like 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Higher trims add more amenities and performance upgrades, catering to a wide range of preferences.
In contrast, CarGurus rates the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser with a score of 4 out of 10 for its look and feel. While it may come with a luxury price tag, the Land Cruiser does not quite deliver a luxury experience. The exterior design is rather basic, with oversized headlights, taillights, and chrome accents, lacking the contemporary flair seen in newer SUVs.
However, the interior of the Land Cruiser offers a different story. Despite its dated appearance, the cabin exudes luxury and is full of high-quality materials. Plush, premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a wood-and-leather steering wheel create an opulent atmosphere. The Land Cruiser seats you in a commanding position with a commanding view.
The Land Cruiser accommodates three passengers in the second-row bench seat, which includes heated cushions. While adults can fit in the third row, leg support is limited, making it less suitable for extended journeys.
Performance
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Toyota Sequoia with a performance score of 7 out of 10. Regardless of the trim level, the Sequoia equips a potent 5.7-liter V8 engine generating 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Power is channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission, available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The V8 engine delivers robust acceleration, even in an SUV that can weigh up to 6,000 pounds. The six-speed transmission, though somewhat dated in an era of more gears, provides a satisfying power delivery but can be less fuel-efficient under hard acceleration.
The Sequoia's driving experience is reminiscent of a truck, which some buyers appreciate. It boasts a soft suspension, overpowered brakes, and a confident stance with minimal body roll during cornering. When properly equipped, the 2021 Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 pounds, although it falls slightly short of some competitors in the full-size SUV segment.
CarGurus experts grant the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser an impressive performance rating of 8 out of 10. Under the hood, the Land Cruiser shares the same 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine found in the Toyota Sequoia. However, what sets the Land Cruiser apart is its refinement, as it delivers a quiet and imperceptible engine roar during acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission ensures smooth power delivery to all four wheels through a full-time 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case.
The Land Cruiser's legendary off-road prowess is enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, hill start assist, downhill traction control, and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist with various settings for different terrains. Crawl Control and Off-Road Turn Assist provide low-speed control and improved maneuverability in challenging conditions.
On the road, the Land Cruiser offers a refined and composed ride, reminiscent of luxury SUVs. While its massive size can make parking challenging, it handles well for a vehicle of its size and weight. Importantly, the Land Cruiser boasts an impressive towing capacity of 8,100 pounds, making it a capable choice for those with towing needs.
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Form and Function
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Toyota Sequoia with an impressive score of 9 out of 10 for form and function. The Sequoia excels in providing ample cabin space, making it a standout feature of this SUV. It offers nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, the Sequoia offers an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space, rivaling competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition.
While front-row space may feel somewhat underutilized compared to more modern SUVs, the Sequoia still provides deep in-door pockets and a sizable center console. The Sequoia offers plenty of storage spaces and three front-and-center cupholders for added convenience. One compelling feature of the Sequoia is its power-retractable rear window, which proves highly convenient for accessing items or loading gear without fully opening the hatch.
In contrast, CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser with a score of 7 out of 10 for form and function. While the Land Cruiser may lack the modern exterior appeal of its competitors, its interior boasts a sense of luxury. However, when it comes to storage space, it falls slightly short. The center console houses various switchgear and a small compartment serving as a wireless smartphone charger. In the tested vehicle, the center console bin was a "cool box," which was not as practical as it sounds.
The Land Cruiser provides tall, wide, and supportive seats covered in premium leather upholstery. The front seats are heated and ventilated, and the interior features a four-zone automatic climate control system with a generous 28 air vents, complete with dust and pollen filtration. The Land Cruiser's spacious second-row bench seat includes heated seat cushions, although the third-row seat, while accommodating, may lack optimal leg support for extended journeys.
In terms of cargo space, the Land Cruiser offers 16.1 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expandable to 41.4 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded. When you fold down the second-row seats, the Land Cruiser's maximum cargo capacity expands to 82.8 cubic feet, providing versatility for various cargo-hauling needs.
Technology
CarGurus experts rate the 2021 Toyota Sequoia with a solid 8 out of 10 in terms of technology. Despite its age, the Sequoia impresses with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot as standard. If you opt for a higher trim, like our test model with the larger 9-inch screen, you'll appreciate modern smartphone connectivity. While the infotainment system might belong to a previous generation, its straightforward user interface can be a breath of fresh air. Navigation through menus is intuitive, complemented by sizeable hard buttons flanking the screen.
The digital trip computer, though not as expansive as modern fully-digital instrument panels, remains user-friendly and functional. The Sequoia's technology might be considered dated, but its simplicity is a notable advantage.
Conversely, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser receives a technology rating of just 2 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. It offers a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that looks more impressive than the Sequoias, but it lacks the same level of swiping and scrolling functionality found on most smartphones. Instead, you'll need to tap your way through menus, with each tap confirmed by a beep. While it's a functional system, it runs on the same Toyota Entune technology found in more basic models, which might not align with the Land Cruiser's premium price tag.
Notably, the Land Cruiser disappoints by omitting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, features that are increasingly standard in today's vehicles. The voice-recognition system, while serviceable, falls short when it comes to handling conversational commands.
However, the Land Cruiser does redeem itself with large, well-marked physical buttons and knobs on the dashboard. These make adjusting settings like climate control or the radio an effortless and distraction-free task. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, measuring 11.6 inches, might not be touchscreen, but it offers a nostalgic touch with DVD support and HDMI connections.
Safety
CarGurus Experts rated the 2021 Toyota Sequoia a 5 out of 10 in safety. Despite its age, this SUV comes fully loaded with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of driver-assistance features. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additionally, the Sequoia includes standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Importantly, there are no optional safety features, meaning you get a comprehensive suite of advanced safety technology as standard.
However, the Sequoia is built on an old platform and doesn't offer any advanced driver-assistance systems, such as lane-keeping assist or lane-centering assist.
While the Land Cruiser is known for its robust build, it receives a safety rating of just 3 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. This SUV doesn't provide official crash-test ratings, which raises questions about its performance in real-world scenarios.
Similar to the Sequoia, to mitigate collisions, the Land Cruiser equips the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite of driver-assistance systems. This includes the same features (forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights) that are available in the Sequoia. It also comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services, offering features like automatic collision notification and an emergency call button.
However, it's worth noting that the Land Cruiser also doesn't offer advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control or automated lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, which are increasingly common in this price range.
Cost Effectiveness
In terms of cost-effectiveness, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia earns a rating of 6 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. The fuel economy isn't a strong suit, with the RWD version offering 13 mpg in the city, 17 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined, while the 4WD variant provides the same city and highway ratings but slightly better combined mileage at 14 mpg. These figures reflect the full-size SUV segment's typical fuel economy.
The base MSRP for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia starts at $50,500 and goes up with different trim levels. A TRD Sport trim begins at $53,215, while the Limited starts at $59,520. If you're eyeing the TRD Pro, it kicks off at $64,625, and the top-tier Platinum trim starts at $66,550. Our Nightshade Special Edition test model had a starting price of $60,605 but included options like the rear-seat entertainment system ($1,920) and Premium Audio and Convenience Package ($1,065), bringing the test model's total price to $68,309.
While nearly $70,000 might seem steep, you're getting a vehicle with a reliable V8 engine, abundant space, and a history of durability. The Sequoia's simplicity can be a draw for those who prefer a more straightforward driving experience.
On the other hand, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser doesn't fare well in terms of cost-effectiveness, receiving a rating of just 2 out of 10 from CarGurus experts. Its fuel economy isn't impressive, and it's priced significantly higher than its competitors. With an MSRP starting at around $85,000, the Land Cruiser faces stiff competition from more modern and tech-savvy luxury SUVs.
While the Land Cruiser is renowned for its durability and off-road prowess, it's challenging to justify its high price tag, especially when considering its outdated technology and relatively low fuel efficiency.
Verdict
According to CarGurus experts, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia receives an overall rating of 7 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser scores 4.3 out of 10.
Choose the 2021 Toyota Sequoia if:
- You prioritize a straightforward, easy-to-use infotainment system with modern smartphone connectivity.
- Safety is a top concern for you, and you appreciate having advanced driver-assistance features as standard.
- You're looking for a spacious and reliable SUV that can accommodate both passengers and cargo effectively.
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Choose the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser if:
- You're a die-hard fan of the Land Cruiser nameplate and value its legendary history and off-road capabilities.
- You're willing to overlook the higher price tag in exchange for a rugged and dependable SUV.
- You prefer a vehicle with large, physical buttons and knobs for ease of use when adjusting settings.
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