2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was an extended version of the standard Escalade, featuring a complete redesign for the model year. It was notably longer, measuring 226.9 inches compared to the Escalade's 211.9 inches, and slightly lower in height. This extension primarily enhanced cargo space, with a wheelbase stretched to 134.1 inches, improving stability and design proportions. The Escalade ESV boasted a luxurious appearance with chrome styling on various trim levels, while Sport models featured blacked-out accents. All versions rode on 22-inch wheels, with variations in finishes and spokes depending on the trim. The vehicle's exterior was equipped with standard features like LED headlights, roof rails, and power-extending assist steps, while optional packages added further luxury touches. However, the interior, despite its spaciousness, was criticized for its use of hard plastics and lack of unique design elements, which detracted from its overall poshness.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard model, however, was reviewed, featuring Magnetic Gray paint and Terra semi-aniline leather upholstery. Externally, it resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander with oversized headlights and taillights, adorned with chrome. Inside, the Land Cruiser displayed a mix of Toyota parts-bin switchgear and Lexus design themes, with high-quality materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. Despite its dated appearance, the interior was plush, with supportive leather seats and a commanding view. The Land Cruiser's design evoked a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of a time when SUVs were simpler yet robust.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV offered two engine options: a standard 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six with 277 horsepower and the same torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The Escalade ESV's V8 engine provided sufficient power, though it could have benefited from more low-end torque for passing at higher speeds. The vehicle's weight ranged from 5,785 to 6,182 pounds, depending on the trim level. Fuel economy was not officially rated by the EPA for the ESV, but the traditional Escalade achieved between 17 and 23 mpg combined. During testing, the RWD Escalade ESV averaged around 18 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's engine was notably quiet, with 90% of its torque available at just 2,200 rpm, providing unexpected thrust in first gear. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. Additional off-road aids included Active Traction Control, hill start assist, downhill traction control, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and Off-Road Turn Assist. The Land Cruiser's suspension system, featuring a double-wishbone front and four-link rear setup, along with the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), ensured maximum wheel articulation. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight required more steering effort when parking. The SUV was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was designed as a luxurious people and cargo hauler, offering leatherette seating surfaces as standard and leather upholstery as an option. Standard features included 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and tri-zone climate control. The ESV provided ample legroom in the first two rows, with the third row being less comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 126.6 cubic feet behind the first row, 81.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 42.9 cubic feet behind the third row. The power-adjustable third row could be folded using a switch in the cargo area, though it sometimes required manual adjustment. The hands-free power liftgate worked inconsistently, and the rear window could be opened for additional storage options. An adaptive air suspension facilitated entry and exit, while upscale features like a center console cooler were available.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior, despite its dated appearance, was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and supportive seats. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated. The second-row bench seat offered heated cushions and a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted, though leg support was lacking. Cargo space was accessed via a split clamshell-style liftgate and tailgate, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 82.8 cubic feet with the second row down. The lower tailgate provided a convenient seating area for cleaning up before entering the vehicle.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV was equipped with advanced technology, including a standard 19-speaker AKG sound system, with an optional upgrade to a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. The vehicle featured wireless charging, NFC phone pairing, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and seven USB ports. A standout feature was the 38-inch curved OLED screen, comprising three displays for driver information and infotainment. The screen's OLED technology provided deep blacks, enhancing nighttime driving. Cadillac's Super Cruise, an advanced driving assist system, was available, allowing hands-free driving on certain highways. The system included lane-keeping, lane-centering, and adaptive cruise control, though it occasionally struggled in certain conditions. Super Cruise's lane-change technology worked well but could be slow in heavy traffic. Despite occasional failures, Super Cruise was highly valued for highway driving.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was reminiscent of a simpler era, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. The system ran on Toyota Entune technology, lacking depth and advanced features. Notably, the Land Cruiser did not offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and Bluetooth pairing was limited to one device at a time. However, Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription were included. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while 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 good sound quality but fell short compared to high-end systems in other SUVs.

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV came standard with a suite of safety features, including front automatic braking, front and rear park assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist. Additional technologies were available, such as adaptive park assist, a head-up display, lane-change alert, night vision, and advanced adaptive cruise control. The Escalade ESV received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a three-star rating in the rollover test, indicating a higher risk of rollover collisions.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping, which were not available in this model.