2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its attempts to stay modern, showed its age with a design that dated back to 2007. The 2018 facelift brought minor updates to the headlights and grille, but the overall look remained largely unchanged. The introduction of the Nightshade Special Edition in 2021 added some flair, but the Sequoia's massive silhouette and outdated interior design, including a small 7-inch touchscreen, highlighted its long-standing design roots. The cabin, while spacious, had bulky front seats that limited headroom for taller drivers, though the second row offered ample space and comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic boxy profile, reminiscent of the original model, while incorporating modern design elements like rounded corners and recessed LED headlights. The Defender's interior balanced ruggedness with modernity, featuring exposed metal and screws alongside leather and suede upholstery. The Defender 90 V8 test model showcased a mix of luxury and practicality, with a design that encouraged off-road adventures without compromising on comfort or style.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the vehicle's hefty weight of up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, though it exhibited some body roll in corners. With a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds, the Sequoia lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in this regard.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 horsepower. The standout option was the new V8 engine, generating 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. The Defender's eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive system ensured excellent off-road capabilities, while the V8 model's unique suspension tuning provided sportier handling. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender remained comfortable on paved roads, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. While the Sequoia's front-row space could have been better utilized, it featured deep in-door pockets and a massive center console for storage. The power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area without fully opening the hatch.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender provided versatile seating configurations, with the Defender 90 offering 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats. The four-door Defender 110 model came in two-row and three-row configurations, with varying cargo capacities. The Defender's interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin. Optional features like a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes enhanced the Defender's cargo-carrying capabilities, catering to adventurous drivers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. While the system was easy to use, the screen felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's digital trip computer was also basic compared to modern fully-digital instrument panels, but its simplicity was appreciated.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped 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 Defender's interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional tech features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Defender's off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While the Sequoia lacked advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, it provided a comprehensive set of safety features. However, its older platform resulted in a four-star rating in the NHTSA's rollover test, with no further crash test ratings available.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking, with optional blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. While some luxury brands offer limited standard safety tech, the Defender's safety features were competitive within its segment. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which is common for luxury vehicles.