2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, which dated back to the original Land Rover Series I from 1948. The Defender's design evolved through the Series II, III, and the Land Rover 90 and 110, before adopting the Defender name in 1990. Despite minor changes, the original Defender maintained its iconic look until 2016, characterized by round headlamps, a boxy cabin, and a rugged, timeless appeal. The new Defender aimed to blend this classic vibe with modern aesthetics, featuring half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and a floating roof. The interior emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams, beefy controls, and luxury-comfortable leather seating.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, reintroduced after a hiatus, was built on the proven Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform. This platform was shared with models like the Avalon, Camry, and RAV4, ensuring a solid foundation. The Venza's exterior design was sleek and modern, with a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent tailgate featuring LED lighting. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like elegance with high-quality materials, a layered dash, and a well-placed touchscreen display. The cabin was spacious, with supportive front seats and ample room for three adults in the rear.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful option was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid setup, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard. The Defender boasted impressive off-road capabilities, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency, with options for electric-only operation for short distances. The Venza offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, and regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery. The Venza's performance was sprightly, with agile handling similar to the Camry, thanks to its shared wheelbase. It was designed for comfortable family travel rather than aggressive cornering.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. It featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third row in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with up to 78.8 cubic feet available in the 110 model.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with good headroom and legroom in both. The second row had 45.2 inches of hip room, accommodating three adults comfortably. The cabin featured numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, electric parking brake, and ample storage options. The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack was located beneath the second-row seats, minimizing impact on cargo capacity. It offered 28.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row, expanding to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Toyota also focused on cabin quietness, adding sound-blocking and absorbing materials throughout.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates to 14 individual modules. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, aided off-roading. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention, making it ideal for those without access to charging infrastructure. The Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program used navigation data to optimize battery charging. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, while the Limited added a nine-speaker JBL audio system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both setups included Toyota Connected Services, with features like Safety Connect, Service Connect, and WiFi Connect. An Advanced Technology Package for the Limited trim included a head-up display and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its robustness.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. It also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, and LATCH anchors for child safety seats. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA.