2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, presenting a more premium crossover styling that was lower and wider than its predecessor. This two-row compact crossover, positioned between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave, showcased a sculpted look that was more refined than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, though not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—with the Avenir trim making its debut, featuring upgraded exterior elements like a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific wheels. The interior of the Avenir was adorned with leather-appointed seating and a head-up display, while all Envisions came with LED lighting and a driver-centric cabin design.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, maintained its rugged and traditional SUV appearance. The Heritage Edition celebrated its 65th anniversary with distinctive features like bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima roof basket. The standard Land Cruiser, however, was more understated, with a basic two-box shape and a mix of Toyota parts-bin switchgear inside. Despite its dated design, the interior was plush with premium leather upholstery and a commanding view from the tall seats. The Land Cruiser's interior was spacious, with a three-passenger third-row seat and a four-zone climate control system, though storage space was limited.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a reduction in power from the previous model, the Envision's weight loss of 200 to 300 pounds improved its fuel efficiency, achieving 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for FWD models. The Envision's drivability was comfortable, though engine noise was noticeable, and its Sport mode did little to enhance performance.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a Torsen limited-slip differential and Multi-Terrain Select traction assist. Despite its size, the Land Cruiser offered a smooth and refined ride on pavement, though its fuel economy was low, averaging 14.7 mpg.

The 2021 Buick Envision's redesign resulted in a loss of interior space, with less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room compared to its predecessor. The rear cargo space was also reduced, offering 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited passenger access to controls, but the Envision remained comfortable with standard heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was spacious, and the third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was responsive, though the driver information display was more efficient for channel browsing. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, and a rearview camera, with options for navigation and a surround-view camera.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology was dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system used Toyota Entune technology, with basic voice recognition and a straightforward interface. The Land Cruiser included a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and a 14-speaker JBL audio system, though these features felt outdated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included standard safety features like forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Avenir trim offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced park assist, though advanced driver-assist systems like GM's Super Cruise were absent.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced systems like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.