2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements. Its exterior maintained a traditional boxy silhouette, complemented by modern touches like angular headlights that linked it visually to other Land Rover models. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a rugged and adventure-ready ambiance reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet 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 with various trims such as 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, while standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof.

In contrast, the 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was a new addition to the lineup, named after the year the ranch was established where its assembly plant now stands. Building on the Sequoia Platinum, it featured machined-finish 20-inch wheels, chrome accents, Saddle Tan leather upholstery, and American walnut wood trim. Our test vehicle, equipped with the TRD Off-Road Package, showcased a striking Lunar Rock paint and black TRD wheels, drawing attention despite the Sequoia's established presence. Inside, the Saddle Tan leather and walnut wood trim contrasted with the otherwise black interior, though the use of Toyota-grade plastic detracted from the premium feel. The Sequoia's interior was spacious but not without its quirks, such as the long rear doors that proved cumbersome in tight parking spaces.

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. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options were available: 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 excelled in towing, 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's off-road prowess was notable, especially in models like the Defender X, which featured an adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, an electric motor, and a 1.87-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The 1794 Edition featured a part-time four-wheel-drive system with multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its weight of 6,150 pounds, the Sequoia offered quick acceleration and a robust engine note. However, its fuel economy fell short, averaging only 16.2 mpg in testing, compared to the EPA's estimate of 20 mpg. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive at 9,010 pounds, but its driving dynamics were compromised by the rear-mounted battery pack and solid rear axle, leading to a jittery ride and limited off-road capability.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and practicality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside functional elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. It offered seating for five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration, with the Defender 110 and 130 providing optional third-row seating. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. The interior was versatile and comfortable, though the multifunctional climate control dials were a minor inconvenience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals. The 1794 Edition's front seats offered 10-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, ensuring comfort for the driver and front passenger. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated but lacked sliding functionality. The Sequoia's high floor and low roof made third-row access awkward, and cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third row increased capacity to 49 cubic feet, while the maximum cargo volume was 86.9 cubic feet, less than many rivals.

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 the Defender's utilitarian nature. 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 prefer simplicity over large, complex touchscreens.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered five connected services plans, with trial subscriptions ranging from one to ten years. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and included a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. While the oversized volume knob was convenient, the lack of a tuning knob was frustrating. The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system was capable but had limitations, and the surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were valuable additions.

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 features were overly sensitive, causing some frustration. As of the time of writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane-centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. While the safety tech was comprehensive, the lane assist features were intrusive, leading to frequent false warnings. Like the Defender, the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication.