2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Despite sharing similar size and price points, the Defender's boxy, classic Land Rover design appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was a nod to the old LR4, with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors set parallel to the ground, creating a classic truck aesthetic. The vehicle's design was further enhanced by tasteful accents reminiscent of the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a body-color square separating the side glass. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering unparalleled choice in the SUV market.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was seen as a throwback, with its design largely unchanged since its last major redesign in 2010. While it had undergone a few refreshes, the 4Runner's boxy shape remained appropriate for an all-terrain vehicle. Its flared fenders gave it a brawny and wide stance, enhancing its rugged personality. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, adding to its serious off-road attitude. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen were reminders of the past, and the interior materials, while durable, lacked the luxury feel of more modern SUVs.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a formidable off-road vehicle, with its uncanny grip, incredible wheel articulation, and generous clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, and the Terrain Response 2 system adapted the powertrain and chassis to the chosen surface. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's saving grace was its powerful engines, including a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 delivered 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, making it a thrilling drive despite the vehicle's top-heavy nature. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, providing a balance of performance and fuel efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, was less powerful than its competitors. Its five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy compared to the Bronco's ten-speed and the Wrangler's eight-speed. While the 4Runner excelled off-road, its on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and a noisy engine. The TRD Pro's sportier exhaust added to the noise, and the soft suspension resulted in noticeable body roll and nosedive during hard braking. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed and controllable, with its tall tire sidewalls and soft suspension absorbing larger road imperfections.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof provided excellent visibility, and its cargo space was generous, with up to 79 cubic feet available in the 110 model. The Defender also offered a range of practical features, including a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and a metal roof rack capable of supporting up to 661 pounds when stationary.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, while outdated, was functional and easy to use. The large climate-control dials and driveline levers were user-friendly, and the sturdy handles ensured passenger stability during off-road adventures. The 4Runner offered ample space for passengers, with a stadium-like seating experience in the second row. Cargo space was generous, with up to 89.7 cubic feet available with the rear seats stowed. The 4Runner also featured a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 5,000-pound towing capacity, making it a practical choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with options for a 10-inch or 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation as standard. The Defender also offered a range of comfort and convenience features, including heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added luxury touches such as a Meridian stereo, cooled front seats, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road noise often obscured the sound quality. The 4Runner also included terrain controls in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-road adventures. However, the system's pictogram labels required a thorough read of the owner's manual to fully understand their functions.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations, but it received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its solid structure. It came equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included a full suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera system, with the Limited also featuring parking sensors.