2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production in its current form, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This special edition celebrated the SUV's 65th anniversary with distinctive features like bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket. However, the standard Land Cruiser, which arrived for review, was dressed in Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was adorned with oversized headlights and a chrome-heavy finish, lacking the character of its predecessors. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's familiar switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, continued to offer a robust presence on the road. Introduced in 2007, the second-generation Sequoia received a facelift in 2018, updating its headlights and grille. For 2021, the Sequoia introduced the Nightshade Special Edition, adding a touch of modernity to its design. However, the interior revealed its age with a multi-tiered center dash design and a small 7-inch touchscreen. Despite its dated appearance, the Sequoia provided ample cabin space, with comfortable and supportive seats across all rows. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, offering a variety of features to suit different preferences.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, was remarkably quiet during acceleration, contributing to a refined driving experience. The Land Cruiser's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided excellent off-road capability. With features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction assist, and Crawl Control, the Land Cruiser was well-equipped for challenging terrains. Despite its off-road prowess, the Land Cruiser delivered a smooth and refined ride on pavement, though its nearly 3-ton weight required some effort when maneuvering.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia also featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering the same 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia offered robust acceleration, though its fuel economy lagged behind due to the older transmission design. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. While it exhibited some body roll in corners, its wide stance provided stability. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, falling short of competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe but still offering respectable capability for most needs.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, though dated in appearance, exuded luxury with plush leather upholstery and heated, ventilated front seats. The SUV's four-zone automatic climate control system and 28 air vents ensured comfort for all passengers. The Land Cruiser offered a three-passenger third-row seat, which could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with all seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window added convenience for accessing the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console. The Sequoia's interior design, though dated, provided practicality and functionality for families and adventurers alike.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though it lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system relied on Toyota's Entune technology, offering basic functionality with large buttons and knobs for easy operation. The rear-seat entertainment system, with dual 11.6-inch displays, was outdated, supporting DVDs and game systems via HDMI connections. The 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. Our test model featured a larger 9-inch screen, which, despite its size, felt small on the expansive dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system, though dated, was user-friendly, with straightforward menus and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was simple but effective, providing essential information without overwhelming the driver.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense-P, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced systems like lane-keeping assist. With 10 airbags and a substantial curb weight, the Land Cruiser provided a sense of security, though crash-test ratings were unavailable.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia also featured Toyota Safety Sense-P, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided a comprehensive suite of safety features, though it scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.