2024 Toyota RAV4 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, equipped with 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 RAV4 aimed to project a rugged image, though its performance didn't quite match its tough exterior. The TRD Off-Road model, which we tested, featured a base price of $38,295 plus a destination charge, and came in an Army Green color. It included a digital rearview mirror and option packages that raised the MSRP to $41,925. The RAV4's interior was all about practicality, with utility-focused features like storage shelves and rubberized controls. The TRD Off-Road trim added SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. While the RAV4 could comfortably accommodate four adults, the rear seat was slightly low, affecting leg support. The cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

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 had 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 and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine required high revs to access its full power. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system. Our TRD Off-Road test model came with AWD, off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and all-terrain tires. The RAV4 offered Multi-Terrain Select with driving modes like Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt. Despite its off-road enhancements, the TRD Off-Road model shared the same ground clearance as other RAV4 models and lacked improved approach or departure angles. The RAV4's off-road suspension provided a comfortable ride on daily commutes, but the engine was noisy and unrefined. The TRD Off-Road model's EPA fuel economy rating was 28 mpg in combined driving, with our test averaging 26.6 mpg.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. It offered seating for five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, best suited for children, while the Defender 130 increased seating capacity to eight but remained limited in space. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet with the first row folded. The two-door Defender 90 offered 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 focused on practicality and utility, with features like storage shelves, trays, and oversized rubberized control knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim included SofTex artificial leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers. The RAV4 could comfortably seat four adults, with the rear seat offering good legroom and footroom. The cargo area provided 37.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive in its segment.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While the touchscreen seemed small compared to competitors, it was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian persona. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup blended refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured the Toyota Audio Multimedia system with a standard 8-inch and available 10.5-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five connected services plans. Service Connect and Safety Connect were free for ten years, while Remote Connect and Drive Connect were complimentary for one year. Wi-Fi Connect transformed the RAV4 into an internet hotspot. The infotainment system was sophisticated but had some drawbacks, like the lack of a multi-panel Home screen and hard-to-read fonts. The test vehicle had an active Drive Connect plan, with a digital voice assistant that performed well, except for a few issues. The standard speakers were decent, but the JBL premium audio system was available. The test vehicle also had a digital rear-view mirror but lacked the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list 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. Other standard 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 features were a bit too sensitive, but they could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), a comprehensive collection of advanced driver-assistance systems. However, the base LE trim did not include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. TSS 2.5 was adequate, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist performing better on straighter highways. The system worked well in moderate traffic, but braking was sometimes too excessive. The RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS due to a Marginal rating in the small overlap frontal-impact crash test and an Acceptable rating in the side-impact test.