2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, attracted customers who preferred its classic Land Rover aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and sharply cut tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass, added to its appeal. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of options for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with interiors coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain air vents, which some found refreshing compared to the more opulent Range Rover models. The build quality was excellent, but the Defender's price, especially for models like the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some. Nevertheless, its popularity remained strong, with around 20,000 units sold annually, making it the second most popular model in Land Rover's lineup.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, embraced its iconic status with a distinctive boxy design and flat roof. Each of its three trims featured elements that paid homage to past models, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the base and top trims, and rectangular headlights on the middle trim. All lighting was LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The Land Cruiser's design updates included a lowered beltline for improved visibility and standard 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available for the middle trim. The First Edition trim came with additional off-road gear, enhancing its rugged appeal.

Inside, the Land Cruiser offered a range of seating options, with cloth seats in the base trim, SofTex in the middle trim, and real leather with unique logos in the First Edition. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The cabin was designed for comfort, with cushy seats, a padded center console, and attractive contrast stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the road ahead without discomfort.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a formidable off-road vehicle, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any terrain, although most owners rarely used its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with noticeable friction in the drivetrain, body roll, and wind noise. The steering was slow, and braking felt uneasy due to long pedal travel. However, its turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance. The V8, with 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, offered thrilling acceleration, while the six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's off-road capabilities were enhanced by Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select system, which could operate in both 4Hi and 4Lo. It also featured an automatic limited-slip differential, rear- and center-locking differentials, and a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings and operated silently, improving the off-road experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass areas, including alpine lights, provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 provided 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender could be equipped with various off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, featured two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently located. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a rubber mat for easy cleaning. The trunk included a 120-volt AC outlet, USB-C ports, and illumination, enhancing its practicality.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen provided better legibility. Both screens supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a voice assistant and navigation. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats and a Meridian stereo, while higher trims included features like air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, which was useful for off-road driving. The 12.3-inch center touchscreen was preferred for its size and functionality. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim had an 8-inch display and six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided confidence in its safety. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.