2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was a study in modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, however, arrived in a subdued Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuding understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, paired with aluminum and shiny black trim, created an atmosphere of refined elegance. The Range Rover Sport was available in various trims, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The Dynamic SE test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other luxurious amenities, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, offering a sensory delight.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 trim level and added retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and other bronze accents for an additional $3,330. This special edition was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. Our 40 ASE test vehicle, priced at $54,380, featured no additional options. The 4Runner's design harkened back to the truck-based SUVs of the past, with its retro stripes and bronze wheels adding a touch of nostalgia. Inside, the 4Runner's purposeful interior featured solid plastic materials and idiot-proof controls, making it easy to use even with gloves on. The 4Runner's enduring appeal lay in its rugged, truck-like stance and practical design, which resonated with those seeking a reliable and capable SUV.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. Land Rover's challenge was to create an SUV that excelled both off-road and on winding mountain roads. The Range Rover Sport offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. Our test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. The Range Rover Sport's eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system allowed for a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, averaging 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The SUV's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35 percent, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, it excelled with advanced suspension and technology, boasting a 28.2 cm ground clearance and impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, 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 in the Limited trim. Fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with our 40 ASE averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The 4Runner's 24.4 cm ground clearance and Active Traction Control made it a capable off-roader. Depending on the trim, additional off-roading technologies included a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims focused on on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims enhanced off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with available camera systems aiding visibility. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a lack of composure over larger bumps. The 4Runner's powertrain performed well on inclines, but its truck-like construction limited its agility on twisty roads.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable armrests. Our test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and optional massage and air purification systems. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. Storage space was decent, with a deep but narrow centre bin and a second bin under the cupholder tray. The power liftgate revealed a 903-litre cargo area, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's standout feature was its power-down rear window, offering flow-through ventilation. Climbing into the 4Runner required effort for shorter individuals, but the seats were comfortable. The 40 ASE featured SofTex artificial leather, while the Limited offered ventilated leather seats. Dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations were available, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom, headroom, and air conditioning vents. A third-row seat was optional but cramped and reduced cargo space. The tailgate doubled as a seat, and the cargo area featured storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space, providing ample room for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. While the screens were generally intuitive, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating. The automatic driver exit assist feature was difficult to disable, and the native digital assistant struggled with voice commands. Alexa integration and smartphone connectivity options were available. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and an Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was more traditional, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available navigation and JBL premium sound system upgrades. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and voice recognition performed well. The 4Runner's interior controls were user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons suitable for gloved use. Despite its dated graphics, the infotainment system was effective and reliable.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control with steering assist was slow to respond and not as smooth as expected. The steering assist technology was unsatisfactory, requiring driver intervention on highway curves.

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 was prone to frequent alerts. The 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less favourable, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a three-star rating for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS had not conducted a full set of tests on the 4Runner.