2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its redesigned exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim with its leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro trim or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic, boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. Inside, the Defender felt durable and adventure-ready, with more in common with a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet offering more soft-touch materials. 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. Our test vehicle, the Defender 110 S, featured the County visual package with white wheels and vintage graphics, adding a nostalgic touch. Standard features on the S trim included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system. The Defender offered a range of options, including premium leather upholstery and advanced climate control systems, catering to both modern and classic styling preferences.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The Sequoia also boasted better fuel efficiency, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The adaptive, load-leveling rear air suspension and various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowed for a customizable driving experience. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, with 493 hp and 518 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active 4WD. The Defender's towing capacity varied by engine, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powertrains capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. The P400 test model provided ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited some lurching at low speeds.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded, making it smaller than its rivals.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied by model, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children and the Defender 130 accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity also varied, 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 in the three-row configuration. The Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cargo area featured practical hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made it user-friendly, providing essential features without overwhelming the driver.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package offered forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Tundra's high IIHS rating suggested strong safety performance.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender also offered an extensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were somewhat sensitive, but they could be deactivated. As of this writing, crash test ratings were unavailable, which is common for high-end vehicles.