2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender was a popular choice, outselling the Land Rover Discovery by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4 appealed more to customers than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel mounted on the hatch paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender offered a variety of accessory packages and was available in three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, providing unmatched choice in the SUV market.

Inside, the Defender focused on function and durability, with most surfaces coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, featuring exposed screws and plain air vents, which maintained the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality was excellent, the Defender's interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover, making its high price seem excessive to some. However, its continued strong sales in Canada indicated that many buyers appreciated its unique charm and rugged appeal.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, was a throwback to an earlier era, having last been redesigned for the 2010 model year. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this ruggedness with underbody skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a beefy tubular roof rack. However, the 4Runner's interior showed its age, with old-school styling and outdated technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen contributed to its nostalgic feel, though some might see it as simply outdated.

Despite its dated interior, the 4Runner offered practicality with its spacious front and second-row accommodations, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The third row was available on select trims, and the cargo area was generous, with up to 2,540 litres of space when the rear seats were stowed. The 4Runner's sliding glass rear window and party speakers added unique touches, while its 2,268-kilogram towing capacity made it a capable choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its Terrain Response 2 system adapted the powertrain and chassis to various surfaces, while the permanent 4WD provided confidence in challenging conditions. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines offered strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid powertrain, provided 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, offering a balance of power and efficiency.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While its powertrain specs were comparable to competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy. Off-road, the 4Runner performed well, but on pavement, it felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The TRD Pro's sportier exhaust added to the noise, while the soft suspension resulted in body roll and floatiness on the highway. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking and offered a comfortable ride over larger road imperfections.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the 130 model. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof provided excellent visibility, while its cargo space varied depending on the model. The Defender 130 offered 2,180 litres of cargo space with the third row folded, while the 110 provided up to 2,237 litres. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, enhancing its practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was practical and easy to use, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles. The front seats offered ample space, while the second row provided generous legroom. The third row was available on select trims, and the cargo area offered up to 2,540 litres of space with the rear seats stowed. The 4Runner's sliding glass rear window and party speakers added unique features, while its towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms made it a capable choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with the standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch screen. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Defender also offered heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems enhancing off-road capability.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP, praised for its solid structure. It came equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection. It offered adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The TRD Pro and Limited trims included a surround-view camera system, though some alerts were overly sensitive.