2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German aesthetic. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. The design was straightforward, lacking adventurous elements, which appealed to those who preferred a classic car look. However, the interior was less impressive, with plain surfaces and hard black plastic, a departure from Volkswagen's previous reputation for superior interiors. The focus shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system standing out as highlights.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a Heritage Edition trim to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The standard model, however, came in Magnetic Gray with plush Terra leather upholstery. Its exterior resembled a first-generation Toyota Highlander, with large headlights and a chrome-heavy design. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with high-quality materials, featuring a traditional hand-operated parking brake and a CD player. The interior felt like a throwback, offering a nostalgic experience rather than cutting-edge design.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, with the latter being a $1,300 upgrade. Despite its size, the Tiguan's powertrain provided a snappy throttle response with minimal turbo lag, though it was only moderately quick. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, but highway passing required patience. The Tiguan's handling was affected by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. Its suspension ensured a comfortable ride, even on rough terrain, but the steering was light, even in sport mode.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. It delivered 401 pound-feet of torque, with 90% available at just 2,200 rpm. The 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 various traction control systems ensured safe progress on challenging terrain. On pavement, the SUV offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight affected maneuverability. The Land Cruiser was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds, showcasing its robust capabilities.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. While the third row wasn't spacious, it offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive models included the third row as standard, while it was an option for AWD models. The Tiguan's cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The driver's seat offered a roomy feel, with abundant glass and a seating position that made the Tiguan feel larger than it was.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat was roomy and included heated cushions, while the third row could accommodate adults if the second row slid forward. The Land Cruiser offered 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, and the lower tailgate served as a convenient seating area for outdoor activities.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch upgrade in higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with a glass surface, bright graphics, and a responsive processor. The Tiguan included a single USB-C port in the front, with additional USB-A ports in higher trims. The Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, offered a customizable digital instrument panel. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's technology felt dated, with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that required tapping rather than swiping. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but included Siri Eyes Free voice control and a three-month SiriusXM subscription. The dashboard featured large buttons and knobs for easy control, while the rear-seat entertainment system offered dual 11.6-inch displays. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality, though it wasn't as advanced as other high-end systems.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were reserved for the top SEL trim. The Tiguan included Car-Net telematics, offering remote access and monitoring features. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most models had halogen headlights rated poorly.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser included Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance systems, such as stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.