2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added a distinctive retro flair to the lineup. It featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique interior and exterior badges. The 40 ASE was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. This special edition had a nostalgic appeal, reminiscent of 1970s style, and was priced at $48,455 without options. The 4Runner's design was rooted in the past, with a truck-based SUV stance that offered enduring appeal. Its interior was practical, with easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves, and a solid build quality.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features, such as angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. The interior was rugged and adventure-ready, with more soft-touch materials than its competitors. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured a County visual package with white wheels and vintage graphics. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, and a panoramic glass roof. The Defender's interior was a blend of luxury and functionality, with practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors.

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. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and had a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg in combined driving. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Various trims offered additional off-roading technologies, such as locking differentials and Crawl Control. However, on-road performance was less refined, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a lack of tire grip.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Two supercharged V8 options were available, with the P525 producing 518 horsepower. The Defender's towing capacity reached up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines. The Defender excelled in off-road performance, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. On-road, the P400 model provided ample power for highway speeds, though there was some lurching at low speeds.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a unique feature with its power-down rear window, providing excellent ventilation. The interior was spacious, with comfortable seats and numerous storage locations, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and practicality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children, while the Defender 130 accommodated up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row in the two-row version and 69 cubic feet with both rows folded in the three-row configuration.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons, and voice recognition performed well, though it struggled with some commands.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The touchscreen was simple and utilitarian, with home buttons for easy navigation. The Defender's interior was a blend of refinement and utility, appealing to those who preferred a straightforward setup.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating from the IIHS for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were somewhat intrusive but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.