2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Land Rover Defender outsold its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Both vehicles were similar in size and price, but the Defender's more classic Land Rover styling won over customers. The boxy design hearkened back to the old LR4 model, in contrast with the Discovery's more pedestrian appearance. The Defender maintained a consistent industrial design theme focusing on its corners, featuring a square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and an abruptly chopped tail. This design gave it a classic truck aesthetic, complemented by various tasteful accents that paid homage to the original 1980s Defender.

Available in three body styles—90 (two-door), 110 (four-door), and 130 (extended four-door)—the Defender offered versatility. The larger 110 and 130 models shared the same wheelbase, but the 130 was stretched in the rear. Numerous accessory packages allowed for further customization, including roof racks, ladders, snorkels, and more. Despite its rugged exterior, the interior was designed with function and durability in mind, featuring rubber and plastic surfaces to resist moisture and stains. While it lacked the luxury feel of a Range Rover, it maintained its rugged charm and excellent build quality. However, with prices reaching up to $120,000 for high-end models like the Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, some felt that the cost was excessive for what it offered.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. It came with retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze accents. The 40 ASE was available in black, white, or red paint, paired with a black artificial leather interior. Despite its nostalgic touches, the 4Runner’s design, rooted in its fifth generation, preserved the classic SUV look and stance that has long appealed to consumers. Its interior was utilitarian yet solid, with ample plastic components that felt durable and of good quality. The intuitive and user-friendly controls were particularly notable, remaining easy to use even with gloves on.

When it came to off-road capabilities, the 2023 Land Rover Defender proved to be a formidable force. In tests, it demonstrated remarkable grip, wheel articulation, and ground clearance, especially when the air suspension was raised. While the Defender's off-road prowess was undeniable, most owners likely wouldn't push it to its limits. The Terrain Response 2 system effectively adapted the vehicle’s powertrain and chassis to various surfaces, and the permanent four-wheel drive added to its off-road capabilities.

However, the Defender's performance on the road revealed some drawbacks. Its heavy drivetrain and body created significant drag, leading to a loss of speed downhill, excessive body roll, wind noise, and slow steering. The vehicle's braking was also less than ideal, marked by long pedal travel and a tendency to dive onto its front tires. While these compromises were understandable for serious off-road performance, they detracted from its road manners. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines were highlights, delivering 395 hp and 518 hp respectively, with the V8 providing a more exhilarating driving experience. Fuel economy varied, with the mild-hybrid six-cylinder achieving 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, while the V8 returned 14/19/16 mpg.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the trim, power was sent to either the rear wheels or all four wheels, with a 5,000-pound towing capacity. While its fuel economy was modest at 17 mpg combined, the 4Runner excelled in off-road scenarios. With at least nine inches of ground clearance and features like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control, it handled challenging terrains with ease. Various trims offered additional off-road enhancements, such as a suspension designed for improved wheel articulation and high-speed performance in the dirt.

During testing in California's stormy weather, the 4Runner showcased its off-road capabilities, managing thick mud and standing water effortlessly. However, in everyday suburban driving, its performance was less impressive. Acceleration was slow, the brake pedal was touchy, and the steering was heavy. Nonetheless, it handled elevation gains and gentle curves effectively, making it suitable for less demanding tasks.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender stood out for its exceptional seating configurations and cargo capacity. It offered a unique ability to seat up to eight passengers, with the two-door 90 model accommodating six with an optional jump seat. The four-door 110 and 130 models offered additional seating flexibility, with the 130 featuring a standard third row. The 130 model provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, but only 14 cubic feet with all seats in place. Meanwhile, the Defender 90 had 16 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58 cubic feet, and the 110 model ranged from 11 to 79 cubic feet depending on the seat configuration. Buyers could further customize their Defenders with options like off-road tires, a metal roof rack, and various utility features.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered practical features like a power-down rear window and a tailgate bumper that doubled as a seat. While climbing into the 4Runner could be challenging for shorter individuals, the spacious and comfortable second-row seats made up for it. The optional third-row seat was less comfortable, took up cargo space, and raised the load floor. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner provided 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. Though slightly less flexible in seating configurations, the 4Runner's cargo capacity was comparable to the Defender’s larger models.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured modern technology, with two touchscreen infotainment systems running Land Rover's Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was well-integrated, while the optional 11.4-inch touchscreen offered greater legibility. Both screens provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation. Other standard features included heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added upgrades like a Meridian stereo, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, and a head-up display. Despite its rugged nature, the Defender’s technology kept it competitive in its class.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner had more traditional technology, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The controls were large and well-spaced, making them easy to use even with gloves on. The infotainment system, though dated, was functional and user-friendly. The 4Runner also offered connected services with complimentary trial subscriptions and could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. While not as advanced as the Defender’s, the 4Runner’s technology was adequate for most users’ needs.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety agencies but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its solid structure. Standard safety features included six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features like a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system added to its safety credentials. However, the absence of certain airbags and self-steering highway assist features was notable.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, offering essential safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. This year, Toyota also made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard across all trims. While effective in some areas, the 4Runner’s aging design resulted in lower crash-test ratings. It received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a three-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a marginal rating for driver protection in certain tests.