2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a postmodern automotive styling with its massive corporate grille, which complemented its stout, chunky design. This design suggested utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, highlighting one of the Q3’s standout features. While the interior felt modern and refined, it was no longer as unique due to similar designs from Audi’s sibling brand, Volkswagen.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially in its Heritage Edition, celebrated its 65th anniversary with a nostalgic design. The exterior, adorned with giant headlights and a blizzard of chrome, lacked character aside from its flared fenders. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with circa-2005 Lexus design themes, offering plush, high-quality materials. Despite its dated appearance, the interior was swanky, with a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player, evoking a sense of traveling back in time.

The 2021 Audi Q3 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine provided lively performance, especially in Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. The Q3 featured Audi’s Drive Select with multiple modes, though its Off-Road mode was best suited for light trails. The base engine had noticeable turbo lag, particularly under hard acceleration, but overall, the Q3 offered nimble handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser boasted a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. With 90% of torque available at 2,200 rpm, it provided unexpected thrust in first gear. The Land Cruiser excelled off-road with features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. On pavement, it offered a refined, Lexus-like driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability. It was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds, showcasing its robust capabilities.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the latter was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo space was subpar. However, the Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable seating for five, with impressive headroom and legroom in the rear.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a plush interior with premium leather upholstery and supportive seats. It offered a commanding view and a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The second-row bench seat was roomy, 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 82.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with wireless device charging and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit offered a customizable digital display, enhancing the tech experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, relying on basic voice commands and a straightforward interface. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated, offering DVD playback and HDMI connections. A 14-speaker JBL audio system provided good sound quality, though it wasn’t top-tier for the price.

The 2021 Audi Q3 included standard safety features like Audi Pre Sense, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser offered Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also included blind-spot monitoring and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked advanced driving assistance systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.