2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

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 was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which paired well with the Midnight Black exterior. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was less striking, featuring Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior design, reminiscent of a first-generation Toyota Highlander, was characterized by oversized headlights and taillights, with an abundance of chrome that failed to add character to its basic two-box shape. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's parts-bin switchgear with Lexus-inspired design themes, offering plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake, creating a sense of time travel to a not-so-distant past.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, despite its long-standing second-generation design, maintained a timeless appeal with its modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches. Its substantial dimensions, including a 77-inch height and 205.1-inch length, gave it a commanding presence. The Sequoia's interior, however, showed its age, with a flat and old-fashioned dashboard design and a 7-inch touchscreen that paled in comparison to modern infotainment systems. Despite this, the Sequoia's interior was well-constructed, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability. The Nightshade Special Edition model, with its darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, brought a contemporary touch to the Sequoia's appearance, making it a visually appealing choice.

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 its 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. Its suspension system, including a double-wishbone front and four-link rear suspension with Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), ensured a smooth ride both on and off the road. Despite its nearly 3-ton weight, the Land Cruiser handled like a Lexus, offering a luxurious driving experience with a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia also featured a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering the same 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, particularly on highways. Its truck-based construction provided a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. The Sequoia's fuel economy, however, was less impressive, with ratings of 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway for both RWD and 4WD models. Despite its weight, the Sequoia was agile, with a 38.1-foot turning circle and excellent sightlines, making it a practical choice for suburban driving. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced in the TRD Pro model, which featured a specially tuned suspension for improved performance on rough terrains.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV's tall seating position provided a commanding view, while the 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, though leg support was limited. Cargo space was modest, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. The split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, with spacious seating across all three rows and a three-zone climate control system. The SUV featured a standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia's interior offered ample storage, with a large center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. Its cargo area included an auxiliary 12-volt outlet and provided 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expandable to 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system relied on Toyota Entune technology, offering basic functionality with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was outdated, supporting DVDs and game systems via HDMI connections. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality, though it fell short of high-end audio systems in other SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was similarly outdated, featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package available. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated its exterior lighting to LED and included standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked more advanced features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping assistance. The absence of crash-test ratings left its safety performance uncertain.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia also lacked crash-test ratings but offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Sequoia's STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Additional safety features included a full complement of airbags, LATCH connectors, and trailer sway-control, ensuring a safe driving experience.