2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile was reminiscent of older models, yet it incorporated contemporary features like angular headlights that aligned it with other modern Land Rover vehicles. Inside, the Defender felt more rugged and adventure-ready compared to its siblings, with an interior that shared similarities with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, albeit with more refined 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 offering various trims such as S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, came with a County visual package that included white wheels and vintage graphics, adding a nostalgic touch to its modern appeal.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner maintained a classic, albeit outdated, design that harked back to its 2010 redesign. Despite minor refreshes, the 4Runner's boxy shape remained suitable for its all-terrain capabilities. The TRD Pro model, with its flared fenders, underbody skid plates, and all-terrain tires, exuded a rugged personality. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and outdated technology, such as an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior featured hard plastics, but cushioned panels provided some comfort. While the 4Runner's design might evoke nostalgia for some, it lacked the modern touches found in competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft 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 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension, Terrain Response 2, and all-terrain progress control enhancing its performance.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were comparable to the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner was hindered by its five-speed automatic transmission, which affected acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, while other trims offered rear-wheel drive with optional four-wheel drive. On-road, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a noisy engine. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-roading, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner's off-road capabilities remained strong, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its performance on rough terrain.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a luxurious yet functional interior, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, while the Defender 130 offered three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity also varied, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the Defender 90 provided up to 58.3 cubic feet. The multifunctional climate control dials were a minor drawback, but overall, the Defender's interior was versatile and comfortable.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional with easy-to-use controls and sturdy handles for off-road stability. The front seats offered ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided generous legroom, though headroom was limited due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner offered a third row on select trims, and cargo capacity reached 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed. The lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were drawbacks, but the sliding glass rear window and party speakers added convenience. The 4Runner's towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, suitable for small campers.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited its utilitarian design. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The straightforward setup and home buttons made the system user-friendly, balancing refinement and utility.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing off-road capabilities. However, the system lacked some off-road-specific apps found in competitors.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with NHTSA awarding it four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars in rollover evaluations. 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 adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The TRD Pro and Limited trims featured a surround-view camera system, though only the Limited had parking sensors. The 4Runner's alerts were often oversensitive, but some system sensitivities could be adjusted.