2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version, with its Midnight Black paint, bronze BBS wheels, and retro badges, exuded a rugged charm reminiscent of a bygone era. However, the standard model, with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery, presented a more subdued exterior. The Land Cruiser's design was characterized by its large headlights, ample chrome, and a basic two-box shape, which some might have found lacking in character. Inside, the Land Cruiser combined Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-like design elements, offering a plush yet somewhat dated interior experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX embraced a modern aesthetic with its redesigned exterior and interior. The NX's bold spindle grille and block lettering on the tailgate were unmistakably Lexus, while the interior offered a minimalist and refined look. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique grille, black mirrors, and sport-bolstered seats, while the Luxury trim featured real leather and open-pore wood trim. The NX's interior was designed for comfort, with padded surfaces and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering a quiet yet powerful performance. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, with a two-speed transfer case, provided impressive off-road capabilities. The Land Cruiser's Torsen limited-slip differential and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist ensured it could handle various terrains with ease. Despite its nearly 3-ton weight, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience on pavement, though its fuel economy was less than stellar, averaging 14.7 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including the turbocharged NX 350 with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience. The NX 350 F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its athleticism. The NX's fuel economy was more favorable, with the F Sport averaging 22.2 mpg and the Luxury trim achieving 25.5 mpg. While the NX excelled on paved roads, it was not designed for off-road adventures, with limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding view of the road, and its four-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers. However, storage space was limited, and the third-row seat, while accommodating, lacked leg support for long journeys. The Land Cruiser provided 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus NX, while offering more interior room, felt cozy from the driver's seat. The NX's front seats were comfortable, with heated and ventilated options, and the rear seats provided ample space for passengers. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Luxury trim added ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall ambiance.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. While functional, it lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's interface was straightforward, with large buttons and knobs for easy operation. The rear-seat entertainment system was dated, offering DVD playback and HDMI connections. The 14-speaker JBL audio system provided decent sound quality but fell short of high-end competitors.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant technological advancements with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch upgrade available. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and cloud-based features. The Mark Levinson premium audio system, with 17 speakers, delivered excellent sound quality. The NX also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and digital key capability, though the touchscreen was prone to fingerprints and reflections.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. With 10 airbags and a robust build, the Land Cruiser provided a sense of security, though crash-test ratings were unavailable.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The NX also offered Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and adaptive front lighting, while the Vision Package included panoramic view monitoring and lane-change assistance.