2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, yet it remained distinctive. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood were reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. The mix of leather and suede upholstery in the high-end Defender 90 V8 model suggested durability for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, adopted a more substantial and blocky appearance, moving away from its softer crossover styling. The trapezoidal grille, inspired by Toyota's truck line, added heft, while beveled and angled bodywork framed the headlights. This design approach, initially a standout, became more common among competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50. The interior continued the angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts for visual interest. The layout was typical for vehicles of its time, with an infotainment touchscreen atop the dash and physical buttons and knobs for primary controls. Materials quality was average, with hard plastics and lightly padded surfaces. The base model's urethane steering wheel felt cheap, but higher trims offered leather coverings. Build quality was strong, with no creaks or squeaks on rough roads.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a new V8 engine for 2022. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, accelerated the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. The V8 model featured 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 comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and impressive off-road features, including a 4WD system with low range and up to 29 centimetres of ground clearance.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It accelerated to 100 km/h in approximately 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than the standard RAV4. The hybrid powertrain was about half a second faster than the non-hybrid model, while the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime reached 100 km/h in roughly 5.5 seconds. The RAV4 Hybrid's brakes operated smoothly, with regenerative braking charging the hybrid battery during initial pedal strokes. The suspension provided a comfortable ride over bumps and potholes, delivering confident cornering without being sporty. The driving dynamics were calm and effortless, appealing to most drivers.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the Defender 90 test vehicle. However, accessing them was challenging in the two-door model, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models offered 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, 743 litres with the third-row seat folded, and 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with the rear seats folded. The 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 exterior storage.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid provided ample space for front passengers, while the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably. It offered slightly more rear headroom than the Honda CR-V or Kia Sportage but less legroom. The rear seat cushions were set low, which might have been uncomfortable for taller passengers on long trips. The RAV4 Hybrid offered 1,059 litres of cargo space, only slightly less than the non-hybrid model. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, but shorter owners might have found it challenging to reach them. Interior storage was a highlight, with a wide shelf in the dashboard, a phone tray for wireless charging, large cupholders, and a spacious centre armrest bin. Dual-zone climate control was standard on all trims except the base Hybrid LE.

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. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and menu layouts. However, the touchscreen required a firm touch to respond. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features including a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a new multimedia infotainment system with modern graphics and logical menu arrangements. Most trims featured an 8.0-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an optional wireless charging pad. The system supported over-the-air software updates and included a Wi-Fi hotspot. The top RAV4 Hybrid trim featured a fully digital instrument panel. A six-speaker audio system was standard, with an 11-speaker JBL audio system available on the top XSE and Limited trims.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features, including 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 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. The top Limited trim added parking sensors and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control was noted for its smooth operation.