Compare the2024 Land Rover DefenderVS 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

Both the Defender 110/130 and Land Cruiser have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Defender has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Land Cruiser’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Defender has standard Autonomous Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Land Cruiser doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The Defender’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Defender uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Land Cruiser uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Defender and the Land Cruiser have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Defender comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Land Cruiser’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Defender’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Land Cruiser’s (6 vs. 5 years).

The Defender P400’s standard 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 69 more horsepower (395 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender P500’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 167 more horsepower (493 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Defender P525’s standard 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 192 more horsepower (518 vs. 326) than the Land Cruiser’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Defender’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Defender 90’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Land Cruiser (23.4 vs. 17.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Defender 110/130’s standard fuel tank has 5.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Land Cruiser (23.8 vs. 17.9 gallons).

For better traction, the Defender has larger standard tires than the Land Cruiser (255/70R18 vs. 245/70R18). The Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Land Cruiser (285/65R18 vs. 265/60R20).

The Defender’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Land Cruiser’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Defender offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Land Cruiser’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Defender offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Land Cruiser’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the Land Cruiser (119 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Defender 90’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Land Cruiser’s (38 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Defender 90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Land Cruiser (8.9 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Defender to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Defender 110 Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 3.5 inches higher than on the Land Cruiser (11.5 vs. 8 inches).

The Land Rover Defender may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Unibody construction lowers the Defender’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Land Cruiser doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The Defender’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Land Cruiser’s (7716 vs. 6000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Land Cruiser is only 6000 pounds. The Defender offers up to a 8201 lbs. towing capacity.

The Defender uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Land Cruiser uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Defender to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Defender and the Land Cruiser have standard heated front seats. The Defender also offers optional heated second and third row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Land Cruiser.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Defender’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Land Cruiser doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Defender has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Land Cruiser.

The Land Rover Defender comes in two door and four door bodystyles; the Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t available as a two door.

Motor Trend selected the Defender as their 2021 Sport Utility of the Year. The Land Cruiser has never been chosen.