2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender felt robust and adventure-ready, with a cabin that emphasized durability over luxury, reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but 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 like the S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, though it also catered to those preferring a modern look with aggressive styling options.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser J250 maintained its iconic boxy shape with a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims incorporated nostalgic elements, such as the heritage grille and round headlights, while integrating modern features like LED lighting. The Land Cruiser's design updates included a lowered beltline for better visibility and standard 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options for the middle trim. The First Edition trim added off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base 1958 trim featured cloth seats, while the middle trim offered SofTex upholstery, and the First Edition boasted real leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated seats. The cabin, with its comfortable seating and practical layout, emphasized both comfort and capability.

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 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 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 six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models could tow up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder version managed 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable choice for rugged terrains.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, now a hybrid, utilized Toyota's i-Force MAX powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, enhancing its off-road prowess. Standard features included an automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and center-locking differentials. The ability to disconnect the front sway bar added to its off-road capabilities, while the updated CRAWL control function provided low-speed cruise control for challenging terrains. The Land Cruiser's hybrid powertrain and advanced off-road features made it a strong contender for those seeking a capable and efficient SUV.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and practicality, 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 varied by model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded, and the Defender 110 offering up to 78.8 cubic feet. The two-door Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender's interior was versatile, with practical features like hard plastic surfaces in the cargo area.

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, and legroom at 33.0 inches front and 26.7 inches rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, with hard controls for climate and media placed conveniently. The cargo area, with a raised load floor and rubber mat, offered 37.5 cubic feet of space. The Land Cruiser came standard with a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims. The interior emphasized practicality and ease of use, with features like a center console cool box in the Premium Package.

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 it user-friendly, appealing to those who preferred simplicity over large, complex touchscreens.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser's Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, made the 12.3-inch touchscreen display invaluable for off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for both front and rear passengers. The base 1958 trim had an 8-inch display and six-speaker system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system, with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL system in the First Edition. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror, enhancing the Land Cruiser's tech offerings.

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. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted to be overly sensitive. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's reputation and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided some confidence in its safety. All Land Cruisers came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist, standard on the First Edition.