Toyota Land Cruiser vs Land Rover Defender Comparison

Toyota and Land Rover are popular brands around the world for manufacturing durable, powerful, and reliable cars. Toyota Land Cruiser is the best seller in the SUV category, also Toyota is the best seller in sedans, pick-ups, and hatchbacks which have been around for many years.

The Land Cruiser and the new Defender differ in every aspect like performance, engine, interior, and exterior.

The Land Cruiser was introduced in 1951 while the Defender was introduced in 1983, therefore, the Land Cruiser has been around for many more years compared to the Land Rover Defender. Toyota and Land Rover are famous for their production of a variety of functional, everyday cars.

But if you want an adventure-ready option, larger than life, you might be interested in the Land Cruiser or the Defender. You will get to know the differences between these 2 SUVs.

N.B: Prices are reflective of average BE FORWARD prices as of June 2022.

Toyota Land CruiserLand Rover Defender
Capacity/Doors5 doors/ 5-8 seater3-5 doors / 5-7 seater
Torque427 Nm - 544 Nm550 Nm
Top Speed180 Kph191 Kph
0-100 km/h7.1 sec - 12.8 sec10.2 sec - 18.6 sec
Max Power381 hp - 437 hp399 hp
Engine3.4L – 3.5L2.0L – 3.0L
Fuel Tank Capacity100L 89L
Key FeaturesHeated/Ventilated Front Seats,

Moonroof, Three-Zone Climate

Control, Rear-Seat Controls
Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane

Departure Warnings, Accident

Avoidance System, Child Seat

Anchors, Front, and Rear

Head Airbags, Pre-Collision

Safety System
Fuel Consumption6.5 Km/L – 11.5 Km/L7.22Km/L – 9.3Km/L
Length x Width x Height4.98×1.98×1.92 m4.94×1.99×1.97 m
BE FORWARD PRICEUSD 6,700 – 189,390USD 32,980 – 97,760

Interior & Exterior Comparison

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is a series of full capability SUV and 4WD vehicles manufactured by Toyota. Toyota Land Cruiser has been in production since 1951 as the first generation and identified as BJ and FJ later on followed by J20/J30, J40, J70, J50, J60, J80, J100, J200 and now we are on J300. Toyota Land Cruiser has been produced in a station wagon, hardtops, convertible body styles, and cab chassis.

The Land Cruiser‘s reliability and longevity have led to vast popularity and it is the best-selling body-on-frame, 4WD vehicle, especially in Australia. 

(a) Cabin Storage

The interior of the Land Cruiser changed according to the model but the J300 series (new model) has a cockpit that looks modern with an advanced infotainment system and well-designed cluster. The overall cabin is spacious and attractive which offers more comfort and luxury when cruising whether off-road or on-road.

Inside the cabin, there are several storage facilities for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, handbags, and goggles. In the driver’s and passenger cabin, you will find 2 cup holders, a center box, a glovebox, and door panel storage, and in the back row, you will find a door storage panel and front seat jacket pocket. 

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 (b) Cargo Space

The Land Cruiser offers 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind its 3rd – row, 41.4 cubic feet with the 3rd – row folded, and 82.8 cubic feet with all back seats folded. That’s huge for a luxury large SUV.

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Exterior

The Land Cruiser’s exterior appearance looks different in each model or generation but the LC300 series has an attractive and superb exterior appearance that’s attractive compared to the previous generation. The front appearance is attached with a front grille which offers a greater look and is well-designed.

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Land Rover Defender

The latest Defender might look more important than the old Land Rover Defender, but in reality, it is a totally modern, sophisticated, and high-tech off-roader vehicle with an exceptional look and appearance. The new Defender is available in 110 body styles on all variants and in 2-door 90 and 4-door advanced-duty off-roading equipment.

(a) Cabin Storage

The new  Land Rover Defender comes with a package of luxury and convenience features together such as heated-and-cooled front seats, leather-and-cloth upholstery, an adjustable air suspension, three-zone automatic climate control, and adaptive cruise control.

The interior is spacious and luxurious in the new Defender. In the first row cabin, there is the glove box, a large storage shelf with plenty of room for snacks, a center box, phone, keys while in the mid-row you get door pocket panel storage, and 2 cup holders at the center console.

The new Defender comes with the latest Land Rover‘s PIVI Pro infotainment suite with a large 10-inch touchscreen.

 (b) Cargo Space

The new 4-door Defender has 78.8 cubic feet with the back seats folded down and 34 cubic feet of space behind its 2nd-row seat used which is suitable for the luxury SUV class. The new Defender 110 with the optional third-row, with all back seats folded, has 69 cubic feet and behind the 2nd-row has 34.6 cubic feet.

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Exterior

The new Defender’s exterior is without match. Its unique shape instantly demonstrates the vehicle’s character.

Engine, Performance & Fuel Consumption

Toyota Land Cruiser

(a) Engine & Performance

toyota land cruiser white engine

The latest Land Cruiser LC J300 series comes fitted with only 3 optional V6 engines available both in petrol and diesel. The engines are; 1GR-FE 4.0L (GRJ300), V35A-FTS 3.4L twin-turbo V6 (VJA300) petrol engine, and F33A-FTV 3.3L twin-turbo V6 (FJA300) diesel engine. These engines are paired to a 6-speed automatic for a 1GR-FE 4.0L (GRJ300), or a 10-speed AWR10L65 automatic for a 3.4L VJA300/3.3L FJA300.

The previous version of the LC J200 series comes fitted with 1GR-FE V6 4.0L, 1UR-FE 4.6L V8, 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8, 3UR-FE 5.7L V8 petrol engine, and 1VD-FTV 4.5L turbocharged V8 diesel engine. These engines are supported by a 6-speed automatic, 8-speed automatic, 5-speed automatic, or 5-speed manual.

(b) Fuel Consumption

The Land Cruiser‘s fuel economy is around 7.5 km/L in urban, and 11.2km/L combined but depending on the model and year of manufacture.

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Land Rover Defender

(a) Engine & Performance

land rover defender white engine

The new Land Rover Defender comes fitted with a standard turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The new Land Rover Defender is also available with a 3.0L I6 engine which combines the 48-volt hybrid system and an electric supercharger. 

The new Defender powered by a V8 engine with a maximum power output of 518-hp supercharged is the best choice for a person who prefers a more performance vehicle and Land Rover state can hurry the Defender to 0-100 Kph in just 4.9 seconds. Every version comes with 4WD and locking differentials for navigating treacherous terrain.

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(b) Fuel Consumption

Regardless of what’s the size of the engine under the hood the fuel economy for the different Defender variants is fairly alike—the new Defender 90 model with the 4-cylinder reach approximately 8.92Km/L highway and 7.65Km/L city. For the 6-cylinder engine Defender‘s city rating drops to 7.22Km/L but the highway rating goes up to 9.3Km/L. The new Defender 110 model with the 6-cylinder engine has the same estimates as the 6-cylinder 90.

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Final Verdict

Toyota has a capable full SUV with enough power and comfortability such as the Toyota Land Cruiser the same as the new Land Rover Defender.

The Land Cruiser and the new Defender are some of those vehicles that are limitless in almost every detail. Both have good performance and comfortability but the latest Land Cruiser model seems to have more high performance, cargo space, and comfortability. Both vehicles have almost similar fuel consumption, but the Land Cruiser has a large fuel tank capacity which reduces trips to the fuel station.

The Land Cruiser and the new Defender are competent and reliable. Out of the 2, the Land Cruiser is more practical and family-friendly the same as the new Defender. The Land Cruiser is ideal for those who can splurge on refinement and afford simplicity.
Both vehicles the Land Cruiser and the new Defender status speak for themselves. All cars are available in our BE FORWARD store.

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Written by: Josephat Lukaza

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