2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this was evident in its design cues, such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver giving off a somewhat dated "cop car" vibe. However, a switch to Solar Octane orange with black accents transformed it into a playful "Tonka truck" look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered a range of seating materials. The Sequoia's interior was designed for comfort, with power-adjustable front seats and a standard power-tilt and -slide moonroof.

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. Its interior, however, was more rugged and adventure-ready, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with softer 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, emphasizing its retro appeal. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof. The Defender's interior was a blend of luxury and practicality, with options for premium Windsor leather upholstery and additional features like a center console refrigerator in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase from its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim was available only with 4WD, featuring a part-time system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and the TRD Off-Road package added off-road capabilities. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity reached 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, provided 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, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road performance, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. The P400 model offered ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited some lurching at low speeds.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, enhancing accessibility. Inside, it offered up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. The third-row seats were positioned above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's interior dimensions included 39.2 inches of front legroom, 39.2 inches in the second row, and 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children and the Defender 130 accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity depended on the model, 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 with both rows folded in the three-row configuration. The two-door Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard across all trims, along with a Panoramic View monitor. The Capstone trim featured a 10-inch color head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The Defender's interior combined refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation of features like Apple CarPlay.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety features as standard across all trims. This suite comprised a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning were also standard. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were noted for being overly sensitive.