2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, reminiscent of the original version with its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. This design paid homage to the classic Series Land Rovers, and buyers could enhance the retro factor with options like a white contrasting roof and steel wheels. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender boasted a thoroughly modern design, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was notably larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics. Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with comfort, featuring a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed metal, and screws for a distinctive look. Unlike other luxury SUVs, the Defender's interior was designed to handle off-road adventures without concern for ruining the interior.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, based on the SR5 trim, added retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, and bronze accents to celebrate its milestone. This special edition was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup for 2023 included various trims, each offering a unique blend of features and capabilities. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, giving it an enduring appeal. Inside, the 4Runner's cabin was purposeful, with solid plastic materials and idiot-proof controls that were easy to use, even with gloves. The 4Runner's interior was practical, offering comfortable seating and ample storage, although some storage areas lacked rubber liners, leading to potential rattling.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a 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, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All Defender models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was impressively comfortable on the pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the massive 22-inch tires. The Defender's off-road prowess was supported by features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 29 centimetres of ground clearance with optional air suspension. It also boasted a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner had two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. The 4Runner's fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test vehicle averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. Different trims offered specific ride and handling enhancements, such as improved wheel articulation and high-speed performance in the dirt. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, aided by available camera systems for better visibility. However, on-road performance was less refined, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked precision. The 4Runner's powertrain performed well on inclines, but its handling on winding roads revealed limitations in tire grip and steering response.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats in the Defender 90 model. While accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was challenging, they provided surprising comfort. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more flexibility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row versions. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious centre-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional roof racks and cargo boxes allowed for additional cargo-carrying capacity.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and windows. The 4Runner's interior offered comfortable seating, with options for ventilated leather seats in the Limited trim. Dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations were available, although some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was roomy, with good legroom and headroom, while the optional third-row seat was less comfortable and reduced cargo space. The 4Runner's cargo area offered several storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. With the third-row seat option, cargo space was limited to 254 litres, while the standard five-passenger configuration provided 1,337 litres of cargo space.

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 all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and menu layouts. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display. The Defender's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing both on-road and off-road experiences.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a more traditional approach to technology, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and voice recognition performed well, handling most commands accurately. The 4Runner's technology package was straightforward and user-friendly, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with standard driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. While some non-luxury SUVs offered more standard features, the Defender's safety package was in line with other luxury brands. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS had not conducted a full set of tests on the 4Runner.