2020 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the boxy design that many had missed since the 2016 LR4. It featured squared-off edges, a rising roofline toward the rear, ample glass, roundish headlights, and short overhangs with skid plates for off-road trails. The Defender's design was a nod to its rugged heritage, contrasting sharply with the smoother contours of the current Discovery, which had not been as well-received. The Defender's design was both classic and purposeful, reminiscent of a Burberry trench coat.

Detailing the Defender's boxy frame was a task for automotive designers, who included some nostalgic elements like step plates on the front fenders and a ladder on the back hatch. Although these features were now more for show, the three-piece ladder above the left rear wheel was functional, allowing access to the flat roof carrier. The taillights were rounded rectangles, and the external spare tire was prominently displayed. The interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and an optional center jump seat. The HSE trim, one step below the X, was not luxurious by $75,000 car standards, feeling more like a commercial vehicle with superior assembly.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, on the other hand, stood out in the crowded midsize SUV market with its distinctive design. The front end featured wide headlights, a long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile had a character line similar to the Supra sports car, and the taillights resembled those of a Lexus model. The Highlander looked longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size.

For 2021, the Highlander introduced the XSE trim, which added a more aggressive front end, suspension tuning, and an appearance package. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, looked upscale with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, the Highlander leaned towards luxury with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and dark brown trim. The wood details, though not real, looked fabulous. The Highlander prioritized comfort and convenience, making it an excellent family car.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender justified its price with its performance. It featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This mild hybrid system used an electric motor to power one of the turbochargers, eliminating turbo lag and ensuring consistent power. The Defender's eight-speed automatic transmission had a sport mode for aggressive launches. The vehicle's off-road capabilities were enhanced by Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension, making it adept at handling various terrains.

The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, available on the base and S models. The Defender's off-road performance was exemplary, with the ability to handle steep angles and deep water. It was a multi-purpose vehicle, comfortable on both pavement and rugged trails.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive options. The Highlander Hybrid was also available. The powertrain was adequate for daily driving, with enough power for highway merging and city driving. The Highlander measured up well against competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot.

The Highlander XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing driving excitement. However, the Highlander was not designed for high-performance driving but excelled in providing a smooth and comfortable ride.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed for durability and functionality. The interior was minimalist, with a focus on moving people and gear in harsh conditions. The two-door Defender 90 could fit six people with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 offered an optional third row for seven seats. The cabin layout was versatile, with generous headroom and legroom. Cargo space varied from 16 cubic feet in the two-door 90 to 79 cubic feet in the four-door 110 with seats folded. The Defender could tow up to 8,200 pounds and featured a durable exterior and interior.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in passenger comfort and cargo space. The front seats featured large shelves for storage, and the second-row seats moved to maximize space. The third row could accommodate adults with some compromise. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander offered plenty of space for family trips and daily errands.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the new Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous systems. It had two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates. The interface was easier to use, though some user interface issues remained. The Defender offered advanced off-road capabilities with front cameras, a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen, and various off-road readings. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, and a 360-degree camera. Higher trims offered additional luxury features like a heated steering wheel and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, though some apps were limited to an 8-inch display area. The JBL audio system was good but not exceptional. Navigation was available but struggled with points of interest. Overall, the Highlander's infotainment system was functional and easy to use.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies. It came with six airbags, forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and exit alerts.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.