2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner’s design rooted back to its origins in the SUV craze of the 1980s. Back then, most SUVs brandished rugged exteriors with shared underpinnings with pickup trucks. Unlike many of its contemporaries that evolved into more car-like platforms, the 4Runner maintained its close relationship with the Toyota Tacoma pickup. This wasn’t due to stubbornness on Toyota’s part—it was a calculated decision, as Toyota led the crossover charge with vehicles like the Highlander for family-hauling duties, leaving the 4Runner as a more niche off-roader.

The 4Runner was distinctly adventurous, from its high ride height and boxy proportions to the sharply angled front bumper designed for obstacle negotiation. Inside, form followed function with a design that hadn’t strayed much from its last full redesign in 2009. The dash layout and general cabin aesthetics harkened back to the late 2000s. Trims ranged from the utilitarian SR5 to the luxurious Limited, with off-road-focused offerings like the TRD Pro in between. The Trail Special Edition, which we drove, featured 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, and a unique “Lunar Rock” paint selection.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, emphasizing clean and simple aesthetics. While some opted for eye-catching Firenze Red paint and 23-inch wheels to increase flashiness, our test vehicle arrived in subdued Eiger Gray with a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, it continued this theme with a Deep Garnet over Ebony color scheme and a blend of aluminum and shiny black trim.

Trim levels included SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, packed with standard features like LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and advanced surface LED taillights. Inside, the cabin was high-tech with Ultrafabrics, decedent Windsor leather, and various luxury options including a Cold Climate Pack and Technology Pack.

Under the hood of the 2022 Toyota 4Runner, a single engine option, a 4.0-liter V6, cranked out 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This dated engine was chosen for its reliability and initial burst of acceleration but felt underwhelming in most driving scenarios. A five-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the rear wheels or an available four-wheel drive (4WD) system. The 4Runner’s ride was harsh and cumbersome, with noticeable body roll and jostling over bumps, evoking a sense of nostalgia for traditional SUV characteristics. However, off-road, these drawbacks transformed into strengths, as the suspension adeptly handled rough terrain, especially on the TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featuring advanced off-road tech like Crawl Control and a locking differential. When properly equipped, the 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement, although it only partially succeeded. Powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, the SE and SE Dynamic had distinct power outputs—355 hp and 369 lb-ft in the SE and 395 hp and 406 lb-ft in the SE Dynamic. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid variant in the form of the Autobiography P440e delivered 434 hp, 406 lb-ft, and an estimated electric range of 51 miles. Early models included a 523-hp twin-turbo V8, but a fully electric version was anticipated for 2024.

Our test vehicle’s 395-hp inline-six accelerated to 60 mph in a credible 5.4 seconds, delivering power through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It could tow up to 7,716 pounds. On-road performance was impressive, with adaptive damping air suspension and various driving aids enhancing ride comfort and handling. However, it fell short of challenging sportier competitors from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in dynamic driving scenarios, though it excelled off-road with advanced ground clearance and terrain management systems.

In terms of cargo capacity, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet in its two-row configuration, dropping slightly to 88.8 cubic feet in the three-row setup. With the second-row seats in use, the two-row provided 47.2 cubic feet, while the three-row offered 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row and a meager 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Despite its aged design and absence of a power rear liftgate, the 4Runner had a power-open/close rear window for convenience.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel inside. Its air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The test vehicle boasted 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a Cabin Air Purification Pro system, and optional soft-closing doors.

However, the rear seat of the Range Rover Sport proved less accommodating despite reported improvements in legroom and knee clearance. Narrow door openings and hard front seatback panels detracted from the overall experience. Storage was decent but limited by the shallow center console tray and deep but narrow bin under the armrest. Cargo capacity stood at 31.9 cubic feet, expandable to a maximum of 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Though it lacked more modern technological advancements, the system’s simplicity and tactile controls were appreciated, especially for drivers wearing gloves. Upgrades included navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a more advanced setup, with a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offered haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, and an Online Pack. Despite its impressive display and potential for personalization via the Pivi Pro platform, users found the system confusing and frustrating to navigate. Similarly, the native digital assistant struggled with basic commands. However, the Range Rover Sport redeemed itself with high-quality Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

Safety-wise, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system were optional. The 4Runner received four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in frontal and side-impact testing, and three stars for rollover testing.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport packed numerous advanced driver assistance systems, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and more. Although effective, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist showed inconsistencies and sometimes required effort to override. The SUV also featured off-road aids like Wade Sensing and Remote Park Assist.