2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender significantly outsold the Land Rover Discovery, with a ratio of approximately eight to one. 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 contributing to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-colour square separating the side glass paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The vehicle was available in three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, offering unmatched versatility in seating configurations. Despite its lofty price, the Defender's interior focused on function and durability, with a mix of rubbers and plastics, exposed screws, and a basic design that maintained its hardcore character.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and wheel arches. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome brightwork. Our tester, presented in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia's resemblance to the Tundra was evident, with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia provided a power-tilt and -slide moonroof or an upgraded panoramic version, enhancing the interior's spacious feel. Despite its dated appearance, the Sequoia's interior was functional and comfortable, with ample opportunities for customizing the seating position across the lineup.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, showcasing uncanny grip, incredible wheel articulation, and generous clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any path, although most owners likely didn't utilize its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, balancing performance and fuel efficiency. However, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft, was less desirable for highway driving. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 16.4/12.7/14.7 L/100 km, while the six-cylinder achieved 12.9/10.4/11.8 L/100 km.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was offered exclusively in hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved significantly, rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The Sequoia featured a part-time 4WD system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD, and TRD Pro models included a skid plate. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the on-road handling was adequate for its class. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with several towing-related upgrades available.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was exceptional as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's large glass and "alpine lights" provided excellent visibility, and the 130 model featured a panoramic moonroof. Cargo space varied across models, with the Defender 130 offering 2,180 litres with seats folded, while the 90 and 110 models provided ample space for various needs. Buyers could equip their Defenders with off-road or all-season tires, and the 130's metal roof rack supported up to 160 kilograms when moving. Additional features included a console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the back row, and the third-row bench seats folded at the push of a button. However, the seats' positioning above the hybrid powertrain's battery pack affected headroom and legroom, making the rear seats less comfortable for taller passengers. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs, available on Platinum and Capstone models, were wide but lacked bolstering. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia provided ample interior space and functionality for families and adventurers alike.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Defender came with heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. The base Defender 110 S included heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian sound system. Higher trims offered additional features like air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with a 14-inch centre touchscreen, while the SR5 featured an 8-inch screen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims. The Sequoia's driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch screen, and the Panoramic View monitor was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims. The 10-inch colour head-up display was exclusive to the Capstone, and the 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It came 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 Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on Platinum and Capstone trims.