2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, had a familiar and consistent appearance that had aged remarkably well. Despite updates over the years, a used model from the past decade closely matched the new one in aesthetic and functionality, though it lagged slightly in the latest infotainment and safety tech. The 4Runner wasn't described as “attractive”; its aggressive and snarling façade, especially evident in most versions except the Limited, didn't scream modern elegance.

Nevertheless, the 4Runner's two-box body design with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches showcased balanced proportions, timeless styling, and undeniable utility, resembling a reliable tool that didn’t necessitate frequent redesigns. Toyota offered the 4Runner in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition based on the SR5, Venture Special Edition on the TRD Off-Road, and Nightshade Special Edition on the Limited.

The pricing started from $36,950 for a rear-wheel-drive SR5 and peaked at $50,570 for the TRD Pro with standard 4WD. Our test vehicle, a Trail Special Edition, sat on the affordable end at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, with an added $1,875 for 4WD. With a destination charge and extra features like a premium audio upgrade and TRD front skid plate, the total came to $43,729.

Toyota planned to produce only 4,000 Trail Special Editions, offered in white, black, Cement (gray), and Army Green with dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels and a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. The interior featured black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, a handy sliding rear cargo tray, and an exclusive 40-quart cooler.

Inside, the 4Runner had an old-school dashboard with large knobs and buttons, manual air conditioning, and a traditional key-start. Hard plastic dominated the interior but matched the SUV's rugged mission, being both durable and easy to clean. Despite its age, these qualities endeared the 4Runner to its owners, offering a simple and durable solution that could withstand the test of time.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive look without major exterior styling changes. Echoing its legendary predecessors, it sported a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, which tied it visually to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Retro options like white contrasting roofs and steel wheels enhanced its nostalgic appeal.

However, this was a thoroughly modern design with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights adding distinctiveness. The new Defender was also significantly larger than the original, improving interior space and ergonomics. Unlike its predecessor, known for its cramped cabin and upright tractor-like driving position, the modern Defender offered more headroom, legroom, and a comfortable driving position without sacrificing outward visibility.

The interior design mirrored the Defender's rugged character with exposed screws and bare metal accents alongside luxurious materials like leather and suede. Unlike other luxury SUVs, the Defender's practicality didn’t compromise its off-road credentials, ensuring users didn't hesitate to get messy in adventurous terrains.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner excelled in off-road capabilities, highlighted during a test at the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area. Equipped with the A-Trac off-road traction control system, the 4Runner effectively tackled muddy, hilly, and rutted terrains. Even in the challenging Frame Twister, the A-Trac system enabled the SUV to navigate treacherous moguls by braking spinning wheels, thus powering the grounded ones forward.

The Trail Special Edition, though not fitted with a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control available in higher trims, handled itself admirably in off-road scenarios. Under the hood, the 4Runner housed a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, powering the rear wheels unless the 4WD drivetrain was manually engaged into 4-Hi or 4-Lo.

However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow and cumbersome, with heavy steering, clunky handling, and an unremarkable braking system, which made urban commuting and parking quite laborious. Its fuel efficiency was another downside, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined, and an observed 16.8 mpg during testing, leading to frequent stops at the gas station.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid capable of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The newly introduced V8 engine produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Defender 90 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph.

All engines were mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and came with a standard 4WD system equipped with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 variant, aimed at providing thrills, included an electronic active rear differential, dynamic drive mode, and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling, though it felt less stable in corners compared to the six-cylinder model.

Despite its focused off-road design, the Defender was impressively comfortable on-road, thanks to its refined suspension, which absorbed bumps effectively. Unlike rivals like the Jeep Wrangler, the Defender maintained good on-road dynamics with minimal noise from its large 22-inch tires and stability against crosswinds. Though our test didn’t delve into off-roading, the Defender was well-equipped with a robust 4WD system, ample ground clearance, and the Terrain Response 2 system for varied surfaces. Additionally, its 8,201-pound towing capacity was notably high for its class.

Sitting high off the ground, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner could be challenging for shorter individuals to board without running boards. Nevertheless, once inside, passengers enjoyed remarkable comfort with supportive seats, ample legroom in the back, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The available sunroof and power windows created a semi-open-air experience reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler.

The absence of a third-row seat in our test vehicle made way for a practical sliding cargo deck capable of holding 440 pounds, ideal for various outdoor activities. The 4Runner’s cargo space, at 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and expanding to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, was sufficient for most adventures. The big roof rack on the Trail Special Edition added further utility.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender, in the two-door 90 model, featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats that, while comfortable, were hard to access and did not provide much room for cargo. However, folding the seats down significantly increased cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 model offered two-row five-seat and three-row seven-seat configurations. In the three-row configuration, the cargo space ranged from 11.4 cubic feet with all seats up to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row models offered 18.1 to 51.7 cubic feet.

The Defender’s interior emphasized functionality with user-friendly controls, including a shelf extending from the dashboard for climate-control knobs and a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin, possibly refrigerated, was among the largest outside a full-size pickup, and a jump seat between the front seats was an option.

The Defender’s design encouraged carrying cargo externally as well, with optional basket-style roof racks and side-mounted cargo boxes reminiscent of classic Land Rover adventures.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition, being lower on the trim ladder, had limited technological features. A windshield wiper de-icer and a 120-volt power outlet in the cargo area were noteworthy. Toyota's standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports.

The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition (free for three years), alongside a year of Destination Assist concierge services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the navigation system surprisingly included trail maps at Hungry Valley. Although the 8-inch screen was small, its functionality was robust and user-friendly with physical buttons and knobs for ease of use, even with gloves.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came standard with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. Most trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022.

The user interface stood out with its well-designed graphics and muted color palette. Despite this, the touchscreen required firm presses to respond. Optional technological features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading. Side camera views helped with obstacle navigation, and the front view was excellent for spotting potential roadblocks.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), a basic advanced driver assistance system package that included adaptive cruise control (not a full stop), forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warnings.

Safety ratings were mixed, with NHTSA giving the 4Runner a three-star rollover resistance rating and a three-star rating for frontal impact on the front passenger side. Conversely, the IIHS rated its roof crush strength as "Good" but rated protection for the driver in small overlap frontal-impact collisions as Marginal.

Standard safety features on the 2022 Land Rover Defender included lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adaptation. Optional features were blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Although Land Rover was not generous with standard driver-assist technologies, it was common among luxury brands.

The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender, a common occurrence for luxury vehicles.