2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive design, echoing its heritage with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender was a thoroughly modern vehicle, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was significantly larger than its predecessor, offering enhanced interior space and ergonomics. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with exposed metal and screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it both stylish and practical for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year without substantial changes, maintaining a mature design. Its exterior was characterized by a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines, giving it a timeless appeal. The Sequoia was notably large, with dimensions that emphasized its presence. However, its interior design felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that seemed out of place compared to the larger screens in contemporary SUVs. Despite this, the Sequoia's interior was well-constructed, with high-quality materials and a focus on durability, making it suitable for families.

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-for-2022 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, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 29 centimetres of ground clearance. It also boasted a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain was known for its durability and reliability, making it a good match for the Sequoia. The SUV had a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with a robust body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured Fox shocks for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing some cargo space despite limited access. The four-door Defender 110 model was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models offered 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with them folded. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering roomy seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The cargo compartment provided 535 litres of space behind the third-row seats, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows flat. The Sequoia's interior was designed for practicality, with ample storage options and a 12-volt outlet in the cargo area for added convenience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the 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 all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. 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 Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro models added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. While the technology under the hood lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated the Sequoia's exterior lighting to LED and included standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist technologies such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. However, the Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS either. It featured the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also came with the STAR safety system, offering stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. A full complement of airbags and other safety features were standard across all models.