2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged, adventure-ready design, reminiscent of its 1980s SUV roots. Unlike many modern SUVs that have shifted to car-based platforms, the 4Runner maintained its connection to the Toyota Tacoma pickup, offering a robust and off-road-capable vehicle. Toyota strategically positioned the 4Runner as a niche vehicle, catering to those who still sought off-road adventures, while the Highlander handled family-hauling duties. The 4Runner's design emphasized function, with high ride height, boxy proportions, and a sharply angled front bumper for obstacle navigation. Inside, the 4Runner's design was functional but dated, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple aesthetics. While it offered limited flashy options, such as Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned 23-inch wheels, the Range Rover Sport exuded understated luxury. Our test vehicle featured Eiger Grey paint, silver wheels, and a Black Exterior Pack, creating a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, combined with aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the luxurious feel. The Range Rover Sport's design included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and advanced aerodynamics, contributing to its modern and refined look.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. While reliable, this engine felt dated and underwhelming in most driving situations, except for its decent initial acceleration. The power was delivered through a five-speed automatic transmission to a standard 4WD system with a low range. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome, with noticeable body roll, but it excelled off-road, where its suspension absorbed rough terrain effortlessly. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models featured Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), which was more than most car-based crossovers.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Range Rover Sport could accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with power routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds). The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with increased torsional stiffness and adaptive damping air suspension for improved ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres in the two-row version, with 1,337 litres of space behind the second row. The three-row model had slightly reduced cargo space, with a maximum of 2,514 litres and 1,311 litres behind the second row. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window for convenient access. While the cabin was not the most spacious, it provided ample storage spaces for gear.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with limited legroom and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport featured a power liftgate and controls for lowering the air suspension for easier loading.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and multiple USB ports. While not the most advanced system, it provided essential tech features with tactile controls, suitable for off-road driving. Navigation and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available as upgrades.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was also available.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. It received four out of five stars for frontal and side-impact testing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner was backed by a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while controlled via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were less responsive and smooth than expected.