2020 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was characterized by its tall slab sides, high beltline, and short overhangs, contributing to its timeless design. Its utilitarian attitude was reminiscent of the XJ Jeep Cherokee, with flared wheel wells accommodating bulky off-road tires and short overhangs allowing it to tackle steep pitches. The hood scoop, a non-functional element, was one of the few visual cues denoting the off-road-focused TRD trim. The front end featured small, angular headlights, and the grille varied across trims, with body-color bars on most trims and blacked-out accents on the TRD Pro. The trim lineup included SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, and Limited, with special editions like Nightshade and Venture adding a stealth aesthetic. The Limited trim, aimed at comfort, featured leather upholstery and an 8-inch touchscreen, though it retained a utilitarian feel with plenty of plastic and a seating position designed for trails.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the classic boxy design reminiscent of the LR4, with squared-off edges, a rising roofline, and roundish headlights. Its design was purposeful, with short overhangs and skid plates for trails, and it retained some quirky elements like step plates and a ladder, though these were more for show than function. The Defender's taillights were rounded rectangles, and it featured an external spare tire. The vehicle offered various design themes, from urban to country, with options like black fender flares and a factory matte wrap. Inside, the Defender's 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, with a focus on durability and functionality over opulence. The Defender was likened to a Jeep with softer materials, offering a commercial vehicle feel.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed for a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, though it was not known for fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with its body-on-frame construction and advanced traction systems like Toyota’s CRAWL control and Multi-Terrain Select. The full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim was better suited for maintaining forward progress, while the part-time system in TRD models handled crawling up boulders with ease.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, featuring a mild hybrid system. This setup provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, with the ability to handle various terrains thanks to Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension. The Defender's off-road capabilities were exemplary, with the ability to tackle steep angles and deep water. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, available on base and S models. The Defender's performance was likened to SUVs from 20 years ago, with slow steering and generous suspension lean, but it excelled in off-road scenarios.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offered excellent outward visibility and a relatively tidy turning radius of 18 feet, 7 inches. Inside, the dashboard featured large, chunky knobs for HVAC and stereo controls, with an 8-inch touchscreen and various steering wheel controls. The seating position was tall, providing a commanding view of the road, though climbing in and out could be tiring without power-retractable running boards. The 4Runner offered an optional third row of seats, though these were best for short and occasional use, with limited legroom and comfort.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender was designed for durability and functionality, with a minimalist interior featuring rubber floors and simple controls. The Defender 90, arriving in 2021, offered a unique two-door configuration with an optional jump seat, while the four-door 110 had an optional third row. The cabin layout was versatile, with generous headroom and legroom, and features like a panoramic moonroof and optional rear air conditioning. Cargo space varied between the two-door 90 and four-door 110, with impressive towing capacity of 8,200 pounds. The Defender's design allowed for easy access to the roof, and it was built to withstand tough conditions.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While Toyota’s proprietary system was not difficult to understand, the onboard navigation system was less efficient than using smartphone apps. The 4Runner also offered Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and various subscription services. However, it lagged behind competitors in terms of total features and usability, with the most advanced features hidden in the powertrain.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender introduced the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a complete overhaul from previous JLR systems. It featured two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air software updates. The interface was simpler, though some user interface issues remained. The Defender offered advanced off-road capabilities with front cameras, a rearview mirror doubling as a screen, and various off-road readings. Standard features included analog gauges, a digital instrument panel, and optional head-up display. The base Defender 110 came with steel wheels and manual seats, while higher trims offered more luxury features.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and automatic high beams. It featured eight standard airbags and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it scored three stars in the rollover test. The IIHS gave it a Good rating in most crash tests, with a Marginal score in the small overlap front: driver-side test.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies, and it lacked knee and rear side airbags, with six airbags in total. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and 360-degree cameras. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and alerts upon exiting the vehicle.