2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring, standing out among midsize SUVs with its distinctive design. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille made a statement, while the character line along the side echoed the sporty profile of the Supra. The rear taillights, reminiscent of a Lexus model, contributed to its sleek appearance. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The introduction of the XSE trim added a sportier front end and suspension tuning, though it was more about appearance than performance. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, offered an upscale exterior with chrome accents and a luxurious interior featuring tan leather seats and dark brown trim. The Highlander excelled in comfort and convenience, making it a strong choice for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, paying homage to its original design. Despite its retro elements, the Defender was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights for a unique personality. The interior offered more space and comfort than the original, with a generous driving position and good visibility. The rugged character was maintained with exposed metal and screws, while the mix of leather and suede upholstery added durability. The Defender was designed for off-road adventures, with features like a 4WD system, good ground clearance, and optional Terrain Response 2 system. It also boasted an 8,201-pound towing capacity, making it a versatile choice for those seeking both luxury and off-road capability.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drive options. While not a powerhouse, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable performance, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort rather than performance. It was a solid choice for families seeking a dependable and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The highlight was the new V8 engine, producing 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, capable of accelerating the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The V8 model featured unique suspension tuning for sportier handling, though it was less poised than the six-cylinder model. The Defender excelled in off-road capability, with features like a 4WD system, good approach and departure angles, and an optional Terrain Response 2 system. It was also comfortable on pavement, making it a versatile choice for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered practical interior features, with shelves ahead of the front seats for storage and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could be adjusted for more space. The third row was suitable for adults only if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space was limited to 16 cubic feet behind the third row, but expanded to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing flexibility for cargo space. The two-door Defender 90 offered limited cargo space, but the four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with up to 70.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The navigation system was less reliable for points of interest, but the JBL audio system provided good sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an 11.4-inch touchscreen newly available. The interface was easy to navigate, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and a surround-view camera system for off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with 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. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.