Defender 110 v FE Land Cruiser

[Don]

While I'm not sure I made the best decision buying the LC, I am confident that the trade-in value will be high. The Defender is massively overpriced with high options, which is revealed at trade-in.

I'm glad we still have the real Defender in the form of the Grenadier.

 

[Defender-LC]

Lurking here and saw this thread and had to register and respond. I recently sold my 24 Defender Xdynamic P400 in Tasman Blue w/vintage tan Windsor leather and its head and shoulders above the LC and GX550. I’ve driven both, but neither the LC or GX’s ride is anything comparable to the Defenders air suspension. The engine is always smooth and powerful with imperceptible shifts. Got 24.5 on the freeway. Fit, finish and materials were way higher quality. Mine was 87k spec i bought for 84.500. The shifter is different for sure but once you get use to it, you don’t think about it.

So why don’t Ihave it anymore. Simple, I had hoped it’s generally problem free 5 year history would translate into less depreciation, but after the covid bump, they all started dropping rapidly. Almost all vehicles are depreciating assets…er liabilities, so I considered it a wonderful experience, and a sunk cost and sold it for the highest offer and cut my losses. Honestly, I regret it now, but I know it’s for the best.

I drove the GX over trail plus and its jittery ride was off putting. Also, at 85k it should be a hybrid as it has the less than trustworthy tundra v6. So I’m going tomorrow to drive another LC and see if I’m ready to pull the trigger for 5k off msrp.

 

[imann777]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Defender. It sounds like you had some great times with it, and it's always interesting to hear different perspectives on these vehicles.

As an owner of an LC FE myself, I can definitely speak to why I'm so happy with it, especially having considered various options before pulling the trigger.

While I can't directly compare to the Defender's air suspension (which is unique in its class), I've found the LC's ride quality to be incredibly well-balanced. It's surprisingly comfortable on the road for a true body-on-frame SUV, soaking up bumps far better than many give it credit for, while still being supremely capable when you venture off pavement. It certainly doesn't feel 'jittery' to me, even when taking on rougher terrain.

The i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain is a real highlight. The engine is smooth and the power delivery is fantastic – it feels very refined, and the immediate torque from the hybrid system is a game-changer for both acceleration and low-speed crawling. Plus, knowing it's built on Toyota's reputation for reliability gives a lot of peace of mind. And only one disasvantage to the new model is Fuel tank capacity which is the only Sore Eye to the new build. But that should not hold you back on its purchase.

From a fit and finish perspective, I've been really impressed with the LC's interior. The materials feel premium and durable, and everything is put together with that typical Toyota precision. It feels like a vehicle built to last for decades, which is a big part of the appeal for me.

Regarding depreciation, that's a valid concern for any vehicle purchase these days. However, Toyota has historically done incredibly well in terms of resale value, especially for popular models like the Land Cruiser. That was definitely a factor in my decision, knowing it tends to hold its value much better than many luxury SUVs.
One significant advantage of the Land Cruiser, especially for those who like to personalize and enhance their vehicles, is the vast aftermarket support and proven platform for modifications. Whether you're looking to add lift kits, different wheels and tires, overland gear, or specialized off-road components, the Land Cruiser offers an incredible amount of flexibility to build it out precisely to your liking. There's a massive ecosystem of parts and expertise, allowing you to tailor it for any adventure or aesthetic preference.

It's great you're going to drive another LC tomorrow! I think you'll find it's a very different proposition from the GX, particularly in its overall tuning and focus. Take your time with the test drive, explore all the features, and see how it feels to you.

Best of luck with your decision – hope it goes well!

 

[Onyx]

I test drove a few LR Defenders in the last couple of years. We also have a Diesel Range Rover at home. I'd say the comfort in those vehicles are much better. Gives you that plush feel with the air suspensions (Although in newer model years air suspension is no longer standard on all Defenders). Love how responsive their engines are too. the P400 in the Defender is pretty darn good., also with better fuel efficiency than the hybrids in the LC (what gives right?). The V8 in the Defender and the RR is an absolute beast. Electronics in the LR products can be glitchy, but I'd say Toyota products in recent years are catching some bugs too, although not as often.

At the end of the day, reason that pushed me towards the LC/GX over the Defender is the longevity, reliability and "Which vehicle will take me coast to coast and bring me home, all while less likely to have any issue?". I really enjoyed the last few years with Toyota products they just start up and go and never once I had to worry about check engine lights. And the capability of upgrading the parts for offroad purposes is pretty much endless and easily accessible for Toyota products as well. So it really comes down to what you truly use your vehicle for. If you most likely spending 99.9% of the vehicle ownership on paved roads, comfort as your priority, don't really care about resale value or maintenance, I'd pick the Defender any day. If you priority for all the other things comes before comfort (Not that I am saying LC is not comfortable, in fact I love it), I'd go with a Toyota product.

Now in all fairness, the longevity and reliability of these new Toyota engines and transmissions are still yet to be determined. Only time will tell. I can also say our 2017 diesel Range Rover has never given us any issues and it's at 70k miles and for the most part it's more comfortable than my 2025 LC. We always hear the worst of the worst stories online, so I say just get what you will enjoy driving the most. But don't get one without test driving them first lol.

 

[Defender-LC]

Yeah, everyone who’s never owned a LR, or Defender, will trash it with old tropes about Range Rovers. All the evidence to date over 5 models years is that the Defender is an outlier for reliability in the LR/RR family.

I only had the multimedia system reboot 2x in 2 years. Otherwise, no issues at all.

That said….Introducing…my new Land Cruiser. Picked it up today. Has SDM too.

 

[Onyx]

Yeah, everyone who’s never owned a LR, or Defender, will trash it with old tropes about Range Rovers. All the evidence to date over 5 models years is that the Defender is an outlier for reliability in the LR/RR family.

I only had the multimedia system reboot 2x in 2 years. Otherwise, no issues at all.

That said….Introducing…my new Land Cruiser. Picked it up today. Has SDM too.

Welcome to the fam! Wish you all the adventures ahead!

 

[roseluna]

Owner of a FE Land Cruiser, but also a previous (and still) owner of various Land Rover products. I've had the LR3, LR4, and Discovery before getting the Land Cruiser. I'm familiar with Land Rover products, good and bad, going back to 2005.

I recently had a chance to spend a week with a Defender 110. This was an interesting drive around since I did consider (and eventually rejected) this vehicle. It's an interesting comparison, though. There are tons of Defenders out there, and I'm sure there's more than a few of the buying public looking at both.

So, which one do I like better? I'll focus on the Defender as it compares to the LC, the good, bad and differences, and share a little bit about Land Rover in the mix.

1. Exterior Looks. Surprisingly, they both have a tough vibe, but the LC wins in this arena. The Defender looks great, but I prefer the LC's styling for a variety of reasons. Land Rovers used to be rough-and-tumble, but now they are dent-prone grocery haulers. LC options for what you can do with the exterior are incredible. Defenders, not so much.
2. Interior: I like the Defender's many storage options (something Cruisers lack), and front view. I don't love their seats. LCs are more comfortable, at least the FE seats. Rear view? Hands down the LC. The Defender's rear view is blocked by the spare, significantly.
3. Rear hatch and storage: So the Defender is a swing-open door (L-R), whereas the LC has the swing-up rear with the option of the glass. I like the swing-open, but I can see how that would limit getting stuff into the back of the vehicle. Also, the 110 has very little rear space. It's significantly less than the Toyota's rear space, even with the battery.
4. Engine: I have to say that I'm a fan of Rover engines, but I'm probably alone. They are smooth and powerful. The LC is just not the same in this category, BUT I'd take the Toyota over Rover any day for the long-term prospects. Rover engines, while good, tend to have severe cost humps at about 75K miles. Usually, it's something like timing chains and the like. Toyota may be the little engine that could on the long-term front
5. Gear Shift: The Defender gear shift is borderline dangerous. If you don't engage the small button on the back of the shifter, it won't go to rear or forward. Doing a quick parallel park with this arrangement almost cost me dearly when I should have been going backward, and ended up going forward.
6. Navigation Screen: I find the Toyota system to be slightly better than Land Rover. LR engineers can never seem to get this right. The LR did hook into bluetooth better than the slightly glitchy LC.
7. On-Road: I like the Toyota. Assisted drive systems are a big thing for me. My wife's current BMW wins this hands-down (not going Tesla anytime soon). The LR system was a bit clunky, as it was on my old Discovery.
8. The rest: back seats on the Defender seemed a little smaller. Headroom was about the same on both. Driving position and view are great on both. Again, the Defender definitely wins the storage war.
9. I did not off-road this thing. Just daily drive stuff. Hard to compare those, not that many people will drive a Defender on anything but pavement.
10. Depreciation: Having owned several Rovers, they depreciate HARD. Your $75K purchase will be $20K at year 5. Selling an older Rover that hasn't had a timing chain replacement is tough. It's a time bomb. Also, old LR3 and LR4s always had suspension issues that are hard to fix after warranty. The LR4 was much better than the LR3 (pre-Tata), but it still had issues.

That's all that was memorable. Absolutely no regrets now that I'm back in the Toyota. Land Rover has just lost their rough-and-tumble elegance, as far as I'm concerned. They are sole-purpose grocery getters, and even a can am defender lift kit wouldn't change my hesitation about taking one off-road. I'm sure they'd be comfortable off-road, but I'm not so sure how comfortable I'd be taking them there.

I can understand the preference for the Land Cruiser, especially if long-term ownership and reliability are the priorities. The Defender does have some advantages in storage, visibility and engine performance, but the Toyota seems like the easier vehicle to live with for the long haul. The depreciation and potential repair costs would be my biggest concerns with the Defender, particularly once it gets beyond the warranty period.

 

[BoredomFestival]

I can understand the preference for the Land Cruiser, especially if long-term ownership and reliability are the priorities. The Defender does have some advantages in storage, visibility and engine performance, but the Toyota seems like the easier vehicle to live with for the long haul. The depreciation and potential repair costs would be my biggest concerns with the Defender, particularly once it gets beyond the warranty period.

Also: there a jillion Toyota dealers / places to get service, while Land Rover dealers etc are much rarer.