2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was a nostalgic nod to its predecessors, with its boxy design reminiscent of the classic Land Rover aesthetic. It featured squared-off edges, a rising roofline, and roundish headlights, all contributing to its rugged, utilitarian look. The Defender's design was both familiar and functional, with short overhangs and skid plates that made it trail-ready. Despite its retro appeal, the Defender incorporated modern touches like plastic step plates and a three-piece ladder for roof access. The interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and exposed screws, emphasizing durability over luxury. While it lacked the opulence of some competitors, the Defender's charm lay in its adventurous spirit and off-road prowess.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia was a testament to its age, having been introduced in 2007 with only minor updates since. Its imposing silhouette and massive center dash design harkened back to the mid-2000s, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dash. Despite its dated appearance, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin with comfortable, supportive seats, especially in the second row. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features and styling touches. The Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity with blacked-out elements and a larger touchscreen, but overall, the Sequoia's design felt like a relic from a bygone era.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a choice between two engines: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower and a more powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The latter was a mild hybrid, featuring an electric motor-powered turbocharger that eliminated turbo lag and provided consistent power. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension, allowing it to tackle challenging terrains with ease. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender's on-road performance was less refined, with slow steering, noticeable body lean, and brakes that required a firm press. However, its air springs provided a plush ride, and the vehicle's ability to handle various terrains made it a versatile choice for adventure seekers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia offered strong acceleration, though its fuel economy lagged behind due to the older transmission design. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes that instilled confidence. While it exhibited some body roll in corners, its wide stance helped it settle comfortably. The Sequoia's towing capacity of 7,400 pounds was respectable, though it fell short of class leaders like the Ford Expedition. Overall, the Sequoia's performance was solid, if not particularly modern, appealing to those who appreciated its traditional SUV feel.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed with practicality in mind, offering a minimalist interior that prioritized durability and functionality. The two-door Defender 90 could accommodate up to six passengers with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 offered seating for up to seven with an optional third row. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with the two-door 90 providing 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58 cubic feet with them folded. The four-door 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 79 cubic feet with them folded. The Defender's towing capacity of 8,200 pounds was impressive, and its rugged construction was demonstrated through rigorous testing. The Defender's interior was simple, with easy-to-use controls and generous headroom and legroom, making it a practical choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats folded, the Sequoia offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space, making it a strong contender in the full-size SUV segment. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing for easy access to the cargo area without fully opening the hatch. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets and a massive center console for storage. Despite its dated design, the Sequoia provided ample space for passengers and cargo, appealing to families and those needing a versatile vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Jaguar Land Rover systems. It included two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air software updates, affecting up to 16 computer modules. The interface was more user-friendly, though some issues remained, such as small zoom icons on the map. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras that displayed the ground beneath the hood and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. Standard features included a 12-inch digital instrument panel, 4G WiFi, and a wireless charger. Higher trims offered additional luxuries like a heated steering wheel and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo, though a semi-automated driving feature was not available.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model included a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was straightforward and easy to use, with large hard buttons for navigation. While the digital trip computer was small, it was functional and easy to navigate. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia's infotainment system offered modern smartphone connectivity, making it a practical choice for those who valued simplicity and ease of use.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by any U.S. crash testing agency, and it lacked knee airbags or rear side airbags, with only six airbags in total. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and alerts for passing cars or cyclists when exiting the vehicle.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. While it lacked more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features. However, it scored only four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test and had not been rated in further crash tests.