2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known as the J250, retained its iconic boxy design with a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured elements that paid homage to earlier models, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the base and top trims, and rectangular ones on the mid-grade trim. All lighting was upgraded to LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The two higher trims boasted color-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. For enhanced driver comfort, the beltline was lowered to improve visibility. The Land Cruiser came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available for the middle trim. The First Edition trim included additional off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim featured cloth seats, while the middle trim offered SofTex upholstery, and the First Edition boasted real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated front seats.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable appearance, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. Base prices ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 X, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20-inch ones with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Options included the Towing Pack and Climate Pack, bringing the MSRP to $106,092. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film and had orange brake calipers that clashed with the color. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, available in Ebony or Caraway. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, offering a purposeful look rather than a traditional luxury feel.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and a 48-hp electric motor, delivering a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case for high and low range. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on mid-tier and First Edition models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. Standard features included an automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and center-locking differentials. The middle and top trims offered a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, enhancing off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function provided low-speed cruise control with five speed settings, operating silently over challenging terrain.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport and manual shift modes, connected to a standard all-wheel-drive system with a low-range setting. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. An adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes were standard, along with the Off-Road Pack's electronic active differential and wade-sensing technology. The Defender excelled off-road, with 11.4 inches of ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, it offered a comfortable ride but struggled with twisty roads due to its weight and steering. The observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, offered two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, with buttons for the stabilizer-bar disconnect and differential lockers. The infotainment screen was easily reachable, with hard controls for climate and media. The wireless charging pad was conveniently located, and the Premium Package included a center console cool box. The rear liftgate opened to a cargo area with a raised load floor, offering 37.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. A 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports were available in higher trims.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The ventilation system was notably effective. The Defender provided excellent forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row enhanced the open feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating in the rear. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with adjustable armrests. The third-row seat was heated and roomy, offering comfort for adults. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, with a high load floor. Cargo space measured 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on the two higher trims, with a 12.3-inch center touchscreen display. MTM activated automatically at low speeds, providing a useful view on the off-road course. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim had an 8-inch display and six-speaker sound system, while the middle trim offered a 10-speaker system with an optional upgrade to a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's response to voice commands was slower than preferred, but accuracy was outstanding. The user experience was more intuitive, with easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system was impressive. Additional features included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system with a 3D view setting. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided some confidence. All Land Cruisers came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included several driver aids, such as automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at press time.