2026 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Toyota bZ

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims, with options for single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), and two battery sizes. The larger battery, which increased power, performance, and range, came at a higher cost. Prices ranged from $36,495 to $46,895, including the destination charge. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus for an additional $3,000. The vehicle's exterior was enhanced with Heavy Metal paint and other accessories, bringing the MSRP to $40,468. The 2026 bZ's design improvements, such as body-color trim, were noted, although some colors retained the black overfender trim. Inside, the dashboard and center console were redesigned for a cleaner look, and the fabric seats featured an upscale pattern. The center touchscreen was increased to 14 inches, integrating climate control, which included user-friendly temperature dials and buttons. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability.

The 2026 Land Rover Defender maintained its rugged appeal with a modern twist, featuring a boxy shape and minimalist lighting. Updates for 2026 included a new headlight design and revised bumpers, but the Defender's overall look remained fresh. Available in two-door 90 and four-door 110 versions, as well as a stretched 130 body style, the Defender offered versatility. The high-performance Octa model featured massive fender flares and optional carbon fiber trim. Traditionalists could opt for a white contrasting roof and other classic features. The interior combined rugged style with upscale quality, featuring a concave dashboard and exposed hardware. While not as luxurious as a Range Rover, the Defender's cabin was practical and less delicate. Windsor leather or textile upholstery options were available, along with a large glass roof. The Defender's fit and finish justified its premium pricing compared to competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a range of powertrain options. The XLE with FWD featured a single electric motor and a 57.7-kWh battery, delivering 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles and an efficiency rating of 26 kWh/100 miles. The optional 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles, while maintaining the same efficiency. Dual-motor models, available only with the larger battery, produced 338 hp, with 198 lb-ft in front and 125 at the back. The XLE AWD offered 288 miles of range, while the Limited trim had a range of 278 miles. Recharging the bZ using a DC fast charger took about 30 minutes to reach 80% battery capacity. The larger battery required seven hours to recharge using a Level 2 home charger, while the smaller battery took five and a half hours. Efficiency tests showed the bZ performed better than EPA estimates in Eco mode, but slightly underperformed in Normal mode. The bZ's handling was generally agreeable, though it struggled on winding roads due to its tires and steering.

The 2026 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrain options, with changes expected in 2027. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The most common powertrain was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The Defender's off-road capability was enhanced by its coil-spring suspension, which provided 8.9 inches of ground clearance, rising to 11.5 inches with the optional air suspension. The high-performance Octa model featured a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 with 626 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds. The Octa's suspension system, borrowed from the Range Rover Sport SV, provided excellent off-road capability and on-road performance. The Defender's refinement set it apart from other off-roaders, with a quiet interior and smooth ride.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance, making it easy to enter and exit. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, with eight-way power adjustment available in XLE and Limited trims. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ offered 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, reduced to 25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim due to a JBL subwoofer. Folding the back seats increased cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet.

The 2026 Land Rover Defender offered seating for five in the two-door 90, seven in the four-door 110, and eight in the 130. The Defender 110 provided interior space comparable to midsize SUVs, with 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row in two-row models. The Defender 130, with its extended length, offered more cargo space with a full complement of passengers. The rear seats lacked some luxury amenities, but the front seats provided ample storage space. The Defender's towing capacity of 8,200 pounds rivaled that of full-size SUVs.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, while the infotainment system was generally user-friendly. However, it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and various connected service plans. The Drive Connect system powered the native navigation and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2026 Land Rover Defender received a larger 13.1-inch touchscreen, integrating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims. The touchscreen's stylish design and user-friendly interface were praised, though it sometimes took time to boot. The digital instrument cluster impressed with its graphics and layout. Land Rover offered multiple Meridian audio systems, with the top-tier system featuring 14 speakers and 700 watts. The Defender's "Body and Soul" front seats vibrated in time with the music, adding a fun element to the audio experience. The array of available cameras, including a low-angle front view, was useful for off-roading and parking.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included high-beam assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist provided additional safety by adding subtle braking and steering inputs. Other standard features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. The bZ received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with Good ratings for front-crash avoidance but Poor ratings for headlights.

The 2026 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. A surround-view camera system and a new driver-attention monitor were also standard. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.