2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive design, reminiscent of its original version with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. Despite these retro elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that added a unique personality. The interior was spacious, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor, and featured a rugged yet stylish design with a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed screws, and metal trim. This combination of classic and contemporary elements made the Defender stand out as a vehicle that could handle both off-road adventures and urban environments without compromising on style or comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander presented a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window. The interior was spacious, with clever storage solutions for family essentials like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, offered a bold red leather interior that contrasted with its navy blue exterior, adding a touch of sportiness. The Highlander was available in several trims, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system to premium options like a panoramic moonroof and a JBL audio system. The Highlander’s design and features catered to families seeking a comfortable and versatile SUV.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new V8 engine, delivering 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, impressive ground clearance, and the optional Terrain Response 2 system. On-road, the Defender was comfortable, absorbing bumps effectively and handling crosswinds better than some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Highlander offered a smooth driving experience, with a sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim that reduced body roll while maintaining comfort over bumps. The V6 engine provided ample power for highway cruising and overtaking, though it was less lively from a standstill. The Highlander’s towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it featured drive modes for different terrains, enhancing its versatility for various driving conditions.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating and cargo 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 models. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender also offered external cargo solutions, like a basket-style roof rack and side-mounted cargo boxes.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander excelled in cargo space, offering up to 2,387 litres with the second- and third-row seats folded. With all seats in use, it provided 453 litres behind the third row. The Highlander featured quick-release latches for easy seat adjustments and a power liftgate on higher trims. The interior was designed for practicality, with deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and cupholders throughout. The XSE trim included second-row captain’s chairs, enhancing comfort and accessibility to the third row, which was best suited for short trips.

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 available. The interface was user-friendly, though the touchscreen required a firm touch. The Defender also offered a surround-view camera system, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and a head-up display, enhancing both convenience and safety.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was straightforward, with hard buttons complementing the touchscreen. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument panel, and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and multiple USB ports, ensuring connectivity and convenience for all passengers.

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. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, offering forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. All trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. Higher trims offered additional features like parking sensors and a surround-view monitor. The Highlander was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.