2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, reminiscent of its original version with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. Despite these retro elements, the design was modern, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and better ergonomics. Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern luxury, incorporating bare metal and exposed screws alongside leather and suede upholstery, making it both stylish and practical for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, with a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia lending it a rugged appearance. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, which added unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille, but the overall design felt disjointed compared to more cohesive competitors. Inside, the Highlander featured an asymmetrical dash with a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The Bronze Edition introduced unique elements like bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric upholstery, though the latter was prone to dirt and stains.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new 518 hp V8 engine, capable of accelerating the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, producing 243 horsepower. It used a continuously variable transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle. The Highlander Hybrid reached 100 km/h in just over eight seconds. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response initially, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The ride quality was soft, with the suspension smoothing over bumps, and the cabin remained quiet on highways. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort over sporty handling, making it suitable for family use.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, though accessing them was challenging. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options included a deep tray under the infotainment screen, a small shelf, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats were spacious, with sliding and reclining captain’s chairs or an optional bench. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with the second row stowed. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system featuring 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. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Limited and Platinum trims included navigation and an 11-speaker JBL audio system.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system and head-up display. The safety systems generally performed well, though some features required fine-tuning.