2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of the current form, offered a nostalgic experience with its Heritage Edition trim, celebrating the SUV's 65th anniversary. The standard model, however, arrived in Magnetic Gray paint with Terra semi-aniline premium leather upholstery, resembling a first-generation Toyota Highlander with oversized headlights and a chrome-laden exterior. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota parts-bin switchgear with Lexus design themes, featuring plush materials and a traditional hand-operated parking brake. The overall feel was a trip back in time, with a blend of luxury and old-school charm.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning with the design language of other Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. The Kicks featured a bold V-motion design, thinner headlights, and a new bumper and taillight combination, giving it a proportionate and stylish look. The SR trim level added LED headlights and fog lights, enhancing its sporty aesthetic. The Kicks offered a variety of color options, including two-tone paint jobs, which emphasized its modern and upmarket appearance. The interior maintained high-quality materials and a design inspired by the Nissan Sentra, providing a comfortable and stylish cabin.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra, delivering a hushed roar and an average fuel economy of 14.7 mpg. Its 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 featured a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a suite of off-road technologies like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. On-road, it offered a refined driving experience, akin to a Lexus, with a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While not particularly powerful, the Kicks offered nimble handling, aided by its electric power-assisted steering and independent strut suspension. It maintained stability on icy roads and provided a smooth ride. The Kicks boasted impressive fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers available.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with premium leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. It offered a commanding view and a spacious second-row bench with heated seats. The third-row seat, while accommodating, lacked leg support for long trips. Cargo space was limited to 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 82.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The split clamshell-style liftgate provided easy access and a convenient seating area for outdoor activities.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made efficient use of its compact size, offering easy-to-reach controls and ample small-item storage. It featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks provided best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover offered hidden storage. The Kicks' interior was practical and well-designed, maximizing space and comfort for its size.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology, lacking modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was straightforward but dated, with large buttons and knobs for easy control. The rear-seat entertainment system was similarly outdated, offering DVD playback and HDMI connections. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality, though not on par with high-end systems in other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a more modern tech suite, with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system, delivering immersive audio. The Kicks also featured a surround-view monitor, WiFi hotspot, and NissanConnect services, providing convenience and connectivity. The tech offerings in the Kicks were competitive and enhanced the overall driving experience.

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 lane-centering assistance. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, leaving its safety performance uncertain.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks included Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear automatic braking. It also had 10 airbags and additional safety features in the SV and SR trims. While the 2021 model hadn't been crash-tested, the 2020 Kicks received good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, indicating a strong safety performance.