2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 GMC Terrain

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, which arrived for review, presented a more subdued appearance with its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. Despite its luxurious interior materials, the Land Cruiser's exterior design was criticized for its lack of character, drawing comparisons to a first-generation Toyota Highlander with excessive aftermarket modifications. Inside, the SUV combined high-quality materials with a mix of Toyota and Lexus design elements, offering a plush yet somewhat dated cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received a fresh update with new front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim. The AT4 trim level added a bolder grille, black alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road appeal. The test vehicle, equipped with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, was loaded with features like the Tech Package, Infotainment Package II, and a panoramic sunroof, pushing its price to $41,810. While the Terrain's interior materials and design were not as luxurious as some might expect at this price point, it offered a practical and comfortable cabin with thoughtful storage solutions and a spacious back seat.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, provided a quiet yet powerful driving experience, with a fuel economy of 14.7 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA rating. The Land Cruiser's eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, combined with features like a Torsen limited-slip differential and Multi-Terrain Select, ensured exceptional off-road capability. The SUV's suspension system, including the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, provided a smooth ride on various terrains, while its towing capacity was rated at 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the acceleration of the discontinued 2.0-liter engine, the 1.5-liter offered adequate performance for most driving situations. The nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the engine within its optimal torque range, and the Terrain's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg, matching the test results. The Terrain AT4's off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and suspension tuning, making it more suitable for light off-road use. Its towing capacity was capped at 1,500 pounds, significantly lower than the Land Cruiser's.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding driving position and a spacious second-row bench seat with heated cushions. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable for adults on longer trips. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Land Cruiser's split clamshell-style liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, in contrast, offered a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat provided ample legroom and comfort, with a rear USB charging port for added convenience. The Terrain's cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded down to accommodate longer items, enhancing the Terrain's practicality.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. While the system was straightforward to use, it lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was outdated. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided decent sound quality, but it fell short compared to other high-end audio systems.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing its technological appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P), which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additionally, it featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, the Land Cruiser lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, and its crash-test ratings were unavailable.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.