2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, reminiscent of the original version with its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood. This modern iteration, however, incorporated rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and featured recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The Defender was notably larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern luxury, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed metal, and screws for a utilitarian yet upscale look. The interior design was practical, with generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position that maintained good outward visibility.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza presented a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical midsize crossover SUV. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a distinctive appearance, avoiding the awkward bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. The Venza's interior borrowed elements from the Toyota RAV4 but elevated them with higher-quality materials and details. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and integrated climate-control buttons, approaching the luxury level of a Lexus. Overall, the Venza was praised for its cohesive and attractive styling, both inside and out, standing out among Toyota's lineup.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, impressive ground clearance, and the optional Terrain Response 2 system. On-road, it offered a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps effectively and handling crosswinds better than competitors like the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Toyota Venza was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive, with a separate electric motor powering the rear wheels. The Venza accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The hybrid system provided seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power, and the regenerative braking system was smooth and efficient. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering and adequate maneuverability. Its ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's, though not as plush as a Lexus, offering a compliant experience over most road imperfections.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with the two-door Defender 90 featuring 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. While accessing the rear seats was challenging, they were surprisingly comfortable, and folding them down expanded cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row and three-row configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 70.4 cubic feet available in the two-row model. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large center-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. Land Rover also offered exterior cargo solutions, like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2023 Toyota Venza provided ample front-seat space, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats accommodated average adults comfortably, with abundant legroom and foot room. However, cargo space was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Venza excelled in small-item storage, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep center armrest bin. The rear passenger area featured high-quality materials, matching the front seats' comfort and style.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the off-road experience with side and front camera views.

The 2023 Toyota Venza offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics and quick responses. A Wi-Fi connection was available, with remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app. The top Limited trim included a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, providing enhanced sound quality.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, a common occurrence for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added features like parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The safety features performed reliably, with smooth adaptive cruise control.