2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Land Rover Defender did not witness any major exterior styling changes, retaining its unique, iconic aesthetics. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood echoed the original Defender and even earlier classic Series Land Rovers. Options like a contrasting white roof and steel wheels could further enhance its nostalgic appeal.

Despite these nods to the past, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern. Rounded corners improved aerodynamics, while recessed LED headlights added personality. The Defender had also grown in size, benefiting interior space and ergonomics. Where the original was romanticized for its simplicity but was cramped and had an uncomfortable, upright driving position, the new Defender provided generous headroom and legroom, along with a comfortable driving position that maintained good outward visibility.

The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character without appearing cheesy. Land Rover retained some exposed metal and screws in the door, paired with high-quality metal trim for the steering wheel, which added to the rugged charm. Even in the higher-end Defender 90 V8, a mix of leather upholstery and suede was selected to handle mud and dirt better than a traditional all-leather interior. This attention to practical luxury meant one would feel less concerned about taking the Defender off-road compared to a more opulent Range Rover.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner kept its design aligned with its rugged roots dating back to the 1980s. Its design philosophy had not significantly altered, showcasing boxy proportions and a high ride height, indicative of its off-road capabilities. The sharply angled front bumper was purpose-designed for tackling obstacles.

However, the 4Runner's interior showed its age with a dash layout reminiscent of late-2000s designs, stemming from its last major redesign in 2009. Different trims, from SR5 to TRD Pro, offered various features, from push-button start and power-sliding rear windows to specialized off-road equipment. While functional, the 4Runner’s interior lacked the modern finesse seen in more recent SUVs.

For 2022, the Land Rover Defender offered three powertrain options. The base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Both models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

For those seeking more power, the new V8 powertrain was the choice. It generated an impressive 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, enabling the Defender 90 to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. The V8 included special suspension tuning, an electronic active rear differential, and a Dynamic drive mode, providing a sportier driving experience. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender remained comfortable on the pavement, absorbing bumps effectively and maintaining good driving dynamics. It also boasted an 8,201-pound towing capacity, superior to many luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a single 4.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, it offered either rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive with low range. While reliable and capable off the line, the V6 felt underwhelming in most driving scenarios, especially compared to the more powerful engines in the Defender.

The 4Runner’s ride was harsh and cumbersome, with significant body roll and a bumpy experience on paved roads. However, off-road, its suspension excelled, absorbing various terrains effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models, in particular, featured advanced off-road technologies like Crawl Control and a locking differential. The 4Runner’s towing capacity maxed out at 5,000 pounds, lower than the Defender’s but adequate for most car-based crossovers.

In terms of interior space and utility, the 2022 Land Rover Defender offered different configurations across its two body styles. The two-door Defender 90, while challenging to access in the rear, provided decent rear seat comfort and foldable seats to enhance its limited cargo space. Opting for the four-door Defender 110 increased versatility, available in both two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat arrangements.

Cargo capacity for the Defender 110 in the three-row model measured 11.4 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 70.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The two-row model offered 18.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up, extending to 51.7 cubic feet with the seats down. This exceeded the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in cargo volume, demonstrating the Defender’s practical design.

The 4Runner, meanwhile, provided a maximum 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in its two-row model, decreasing slightly to 88.8 cubic feet in the three-row version. With the second-row seats in use, the two-row model offered 47.2 cubic feet, while the three-row had 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row and just 9 cubic feet with all seats erect.

One of 4Runner's standout features was its power-open/close rear window, not commonly found in other SUVs, enhancing its utility. However, unlike the Defender, the 4Runner struggled with modern cabin packaging, feeling less spacious and efficient compared to more recently designed SUVs.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all but the base model. An optional 11.4-inch touchscreen was introduced for the 2022 model year. The user interface was aesthetically pleasing, though the touch sensitivity required a firm press.

Additional available features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing both on-road and off-road experiences.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner’s standard tech included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical buttons, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. While it lacked the option for a larger screen, available upgrades included navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system.

Though not cutting-edge, the 4Runner’s straightforward infotainment system with tactile controls suited its rugged, near-analog driving style, making it user-friendly even with gloves on. However, it missed modern features like a head-up display.

In terms of safety features, the 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist technologies such as lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed limit adapting. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS and NHTSA had not rated the Defender for safety, which was typical for luxury brands.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, remained current with safety tech through the Toyota Safety Sense suite. This included standard forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The 4Runner earned mostly good ratings from the NHTSA, though it scored lower in rollover testing.