2021 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser, in its final year of production, offered a nostalgic nod to its storied past with the Heritage Edition trim. This version was celebrated for its classic design elements, such as bronze BBS wheels and a Yakima Megawarrior roof basket, which were best complemented by the Midnight Black color. However, the standard model, which arrived for review, was less striking in its Magnetic Gray paint and Terra leather upholstery. The exterior design, with its oversized headlights and chrome accents, lacked the character and charm of its predecessors, resembling a more upscale version of a first-generation Toyota Highlander. Inside, the Land Cruiser mixed Toyota's familiar switchgear with high-quality materials, offering a plush yet somewhat dated interior experience, complete with a hand-operated parking brake and a CD player.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender maintained its distinctive and modern design, with a boxy profile and tailgate-mounted spare tire that paid homage to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The interior was spacious and ergonomic, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor. The Defender's rugged character was evident in its interior design, which featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed metal, and screws, creating a functional yet stylish environment. The Defender's design allowed for both on-road comfort and off-road capability, making it a versatile choice for adventure seekers.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was powered by a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, shared with the Toyota Tundra. This engine was remarkably quiet during acceleration, with just enough of its characteristic note filtering into the cabin. The Land Cruiser averaged 14.7 mpg during testing, slightly better than the EPA rating of 14 mpg. An eight-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case provided the Land Cruiser with its legendary off-road capability. The SUV featured a Torsen limited-slip differential, mud-and-snow tires, and a full-size spare tire. Advanced off-road technologies like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor enhanced its off-road prowess. On pavement, the Land Cruiser offered a refined driving experience, though its nearly 3-ton weight required more steering effort during parking maneuvers. The Land Cruiser was rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 horsepower, and a new 518-horsepower V8 engine. The V8 engine could propel the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All Defender models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique suspension tuning for sportier handling. The Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively. Off-road, the Defender excelled with its 4WD system, good approach and departure angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. The Defender's towing capacity was 8,201 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was luxurious, with plush leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. The SUV offered a commanding view of the road, and the second-row bench seat was spacious and comfortable, with heated cushions. The Land Cruiser featured a four-zone automatic climate control system with 28 air vents. The third-row seat could accommodate adults if the second row was adjusted, but leg support was lacking. Cargo space was limited, with 16.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 82.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating configurations, with 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats in the Defender 90 model. The four-door Defender 110 model provided more cargo space, with up to 70.4 cubic feet available. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large center-console storage bin and optional refrigeration. The Defender's design allowed for cargo storage both inside and outside the vehicle, with optional roof racks and cargo boxes. The Defender's interior was both stylish and practical, making it suitable for various adventures.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Toyota Entune technology. The system lacked modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the interface required tapping rather than swiping. The voice-recognition system was basic, and the dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system was dated. A 14-speaker JBL Synthesis audio system provided good sound quality, but it was not on par with high-end audio systems in other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Defender's technology offerings.

The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with 10 airbags and Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance features like stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and automated lane-keeping. Crash-test ratings were not available for the Land Cruiser.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist tech, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.