2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, with opinions softening over time. While the short grille and swept-back headlights initially divided opinions, the Cherokee's proportions improved over the years. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude, with its 17-inch wheels and FWD, appeared more generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition, featuring 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding, offered a more refined look. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof added a distinctive touch, making it stand out in a crowded SUV market.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The Midnight Black color with bronze BBS wheels and retro badges gave it a nostalgic appeal. However, the standard Land Cruiser, with Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, appeared less distinctive. Its exterior design, with oversized headlights and chrome accents, lacked character. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a plush yet dated interior experience.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder produced 180 horsepower, while the 3.2-liter V-6 delivered 271 hp. The top-tier 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generated 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, acceleration was modest, with the V6 achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, praised for its fuel efficiency. The Trailhawk model excelled off-road, equipped with Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, enhancing its trail capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser housed a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. With 401 lb-ft of torque available at 2,200 rpm, it offered robust performance. The Land Cruiser's off-road prowess was supported by a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. Its sophisticated suspension system and skid plates ensured durability on rugged terrain. On-road, the Land Cruiser provided a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected handling.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, positioned between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee, offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up, expanding to 55 cubic feet when folded. This was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5. Passenger volume was 102 cubic feet, competitive within its class. The interior was straightforward, with trim levels influencing material quality. The Latitude featured basic materials, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale finishes.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though luxurious, was dated. It featured premium leather upholstery and a commanding driving position. The second-row seats were heated, and the SUV boasted a four-zone climate control system with 28 air vents. 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 seats folded. The split clamshell liftgate facilitated easy access.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. A 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration were included. The system was praised for its user-friendly interface and responsive controls, with remote start available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology felt outdated. Its 9-inch touchscreen required tapping rather than swiping, and lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice-recognition system was basic, and Bluetooth pairing was limited. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was similarly dated, though a 14-speaker JBL audio system provided decent sound quality.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received "Good" scores in crashworthiness from the IIHS but lacked a Top Safety Pick award. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, with 10 airbags and substantial weight, offered robust protection. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control.