2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive front-end appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling was further accentuated by black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the presence of 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum trim offered a two-tone interior with soft leather, but the dashboard's asymmetrical design and the 12.3-inch touchscreen suffered from reflections in bright sunlight. The mix of illumination colours in the gauges also contributed to a somewhat busy appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, reminiscent of the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. While the exterior design paid homage to its heritage with features like a tailgate-mounted spare wheel and flat hood, it also embraced modernity with rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The Defender's larger size compared to its predecessor resulted in improved interior space and ergonomics. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with exposed metal and screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery. The Defender's design successfully balanced its off-road heritage with modern aesthetics, making it a standout in the SUV market.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid underwent a significant transformation in its powertrain, moving from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an "E-CVT" system. This change resulted in a combined fuel consumption rating of 6.7 L/100 km, a notable improvement over the previous generation's 8.3 L/100 km. However, the total output decreased to 243 horsepower from the previous 306 hp. While the Highlander Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, it lacked excitement in driving dynamics. The power was adequate for everyday tasks, but the engine sounded strained during acceleration or hill climbs. The steering felt lifeless, and the ride quality was marred by unwanted body movement, especially on uneven roads. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid offered a comfortable and quiet ride on smooth highways, with the electric motor providing immediate torque for city driving.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp. For those seeking more power, the new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. The V8 model featured unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling, although it felt less poised than the six-cylinder version. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system, good approach and departure angles, and optional Terrain Response 2 system. On-road, the Defender provided a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps effectively and maintaining stability in crosswinds. Its towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was impressive for a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum trim offered a comfortable and supportive cabin for the driver and front passenger, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the narrow cabin made it uncomfortable for three adults. The third-row seat was cramped and lacked support, making it unsuitable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. However, storage solutions were not as practical as in the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger obstructed access to the storage area.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating configurations, with the Defender 90 featuring 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. While accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was challenging, they were surprisingly comfortable. The four-door Defender 110 provided more cargo space, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional roof racks and cargo boxes allowed for additional exterior storage, catering to the Defender's adventurous spirit.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The user interface was intuitive, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. However, the JBL sound system's audio quality varied depending on the music genre. The Highlander also offered Driver Easy Speak technology and a video rearview mirror for enhanced convenience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate menus and a distinctive colour palette. However, the touchscreen required a firm touch to respond. The Defender also offered a surround-view camera system, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and a head-up display for added convenience and safety.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included features like automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The system also offered intersection support and emergency steering assistance. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on Canadian models, while the Platinum trim included a surround-view camera system. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four stars in frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. While the Defender lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, it was not uncommon for luxury vehicles to be unrated by these organizations.