2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's newly creased and kinked body gave it a more substantial presence compared to its predecessor. While the Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper differentiated it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look, its appeal was subjective. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior's cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some materials reminded occupants of the SUV's pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, was a nod to classic truck design with its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors set parallel to the ground. The Defender's design was consistent, with steep angles on the windshield and lower front bumper. It paid homage to the original 1980s Defender with tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel and tire mounted on the hatch. The Defender offered a range of accessory packages and body styles, including the 90, 110, and 130, providing unmatched versatility. Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability, with rubber and plastic materials designed to resist stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-litre V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms (9,120 pounds) in Canada. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails, but on-road performance was less refined. The Defender's drivetrain friction and body drag affected speed, and excessive body roll was noticeable even in the V8 model's Dynamic setting. The steering was slow, and wind noise was apparent. However, the Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance. The V8 delivered 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, while the six-cylinder engine offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 16.4/12.7/14.7 L/100 km ratings. Despite its on-road shortcomings, the Defender's power and off-road capabilities were commendable.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's front seats were comfortable, and the wide, flat, padded upper door panel shelf provided a perfect resting place for long trips. However, the power-deploying running boards could be a nuisance for taller passengers. The Sequoia's third-row seat was less comfortable, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres available with the third-row seat in its rearmost position. Folding the seats expanded cargo capacity to 2,460 litres, but it was still smaller than its segment rivals.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows. The 130 had a standard third row, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's large glass and panoramic moonroof provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering 2,180 litres with the third row and second row folded. The Defender's off-road capabilities were complemented by features like a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps. The Defender's interior was functional, with options like a heated windshield and pressurized water rinse system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the display's glare and occasional system bugs were noted. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen provided better legibility. The Defender included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and connected apps. The X trim featured air suspension, a locking rear differential, and an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system. The Defender's technology package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and configurable ambient lighting.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. The Defender included 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. However, the Defender lacked front knee airbags and rear side thorax airbags.