2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender paid homage to its storied past while embracing modernity. Its design echoed the rugged charm of its predecessors, with half-round LED headlights and a grille that appeared structural, reminiscent of a built-in push bar. The Defender's exterior was a blend of nostalgia and innovation, featuring flat-topped fenders, fender flares, and a floating roof. The interior was equally impressive, with exposed structural elements and high-quality materials, including real metal and leather. The digital instrument panel and center touchscreen interface were seamlessly integrated, offering a blend of luxury and functionality.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its 2018 facelift, retained a design that felt dated. The subtle updates to the headlights and grille were overshadowed by its imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's multi-tiered center dash design harked back to the mid-2000s, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that seemed small against the expansive dash. However, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin, with comfortable and supportive seats, especially in the second row. The trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering a variety of features, including the new Nightshade Special Edition with its unique styling touches.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The more powerful option was a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also boasted a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low range. The Sequoia's acceleration was robust, despite its weight of up to 6,000 pounds. However, the six-speed transmission was a throwback, holding gears longer under hard acceleration, which impacted fuel economy. The Sequoia's towing capacity was 7,400 pounds, falling behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe. Its driving dynamics were truck-like, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, providing a confident driving experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized a unibody platform, shared with the Range Rover and Discovery, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. Its four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension provided a smooth ride and allowed for flexible interior configurations. The Defender offered a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third row in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with 34.6 cubic feet behind the second row in the 110 model and up to 78.8 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia's standout feature was its spacious cabin, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats down, the Sequoia provided an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The power-retractable rear window was a convenient feature for accessing the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. Its infotainment system, Pivi Pro, included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, and a six-speaker audio system, with optional upgrades to a Meridian sound system. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menus and hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but easy to navigate, offering a straightforward experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its safety and reliability in various conditions.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. However, the Sequoia's platform was dated, and it received a four-star rating in NHTSA's rollover test, with no further crash test ratings available.