Landcruiser v Defender 110 3.0 P400 MHEV

[Rumbleandsway]

Brierly considered a Defender before buying the Landcruiser so I was looking forward to driving a 110 P400 around Connecticut last week.

Long story short, even with the 2.8 diesel non hybrid engine, I prefer the Landcruiser.

1. Proper off-road vehicle
2. Better built - fit and finish of the Landcruiser eclipse a Range Rover
3. Interior materials and leather of higher quality
4. Infotainment - simpler, clearer and more responsive
5. Better equipped - harsh but cooling seats a glaring omission [it was v.hot]

The 2.8D engine is no V6 petrol but it suits the personality of the Landcruiser and I was underwhelmed by the sound and performance of the Defender 3.0.

Subjectively the rarity of the Landcruiser adds to the appeal - good grief the Lexus GX is popular around Greenwich/Stamford [outnumbers the Landcruiser 12/1]

Only thing I would say in defence of the Defender is reliability may be more about the owners than the vehicles. If you don’t maintain stuff, it will break.

and Connecticut? Loved it…. If only I could get tickets for Beth Page Black in September.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

When I was a wee lad, I was given a Corgi model of a Land Rover. Wanted one ever since. Each time I look at one or drive one, I think "why would I spend money on this?" The Toyota dealer is a mile away and the Rover dealer is 450 miles. Yet, for some primordial reason, I still want one. Love our Landcruiser.

 

[Altitude]

The Defender is a bit more svelte than the Land Cruiser, there’s no getting around it.

The clientele is polarized; I know people who owned a Discovery for 20 years and bought a Defender because they liked the Discovery so much. Other people told me they would buy me dinner to talk me out of a Defender when I was serious about one.

Very appealing vehicles in any case.

 

[Bighorn Tremor]

The Defender is a bit more svelte than the Land Cruiser, there’s no getting around it.

The clientele is polarized; I know people who owned a Discovery for 20 years and bought a Defender because they liked the Discovery so much. Other people told me they would buy me dinner to talk me out of a Defender when I was serious about one.

Very appealing vehicles in any case.

They are appealing.

 

[Rumbleandsway]

The Defender is a bit more svelte than the Land Cruiser, there’s no getting around it.

The clientele is polarized; I know people who owned a Discovery for 20 years and bought a Defender because they liked the Discovery so much. Other people told me they would buy me dinner to talk me out of a Defender when I was serious about one.

Very appealing vehicles in any case.

LR & RR products achingly appealing but all of them flawed.

Always wanted a Defender [original] in the same way I lusted after a Willys Jeep….until I drove one.

What’s the saying; “ don’t meet your heroes” - the Willys Jeep a unique, historical and special piece of engineering. Drove one across Croatia - sadly, I have driven more sophisticated tractors!

The Discovery a land yacht, the full fat Range Rover; luxurious, capable but a bit squidgy. RR Sport, may as well have an M3.

Landcruiser reminds me of a 911 [or at least the pre 992 models] it just nails the brief.

Perfect 5 CAR garage: 2025 Landcruiser [2.8D], RS6 Avant, 991.2 GT3 Touring, GR Yaris, Aerial Nomal.

Perfect 1 car garage: Landcruiser… though I also have access to an RS3 CV [which is INSANE!!]

 

[Altitude]

Landcruiser reminds me of a 911 [or at least the pre 992 models] it just nails the brief.

Perfect 5 CAR garage: 2025 Landcruiser [2.8D], RS6 Avant, 991.2 GT3 Touring, GR Yaris, Aerial Nomal.

Well I’m in the neighborhood.

The 991.1 does nail the brief, though I’m not completely sure it needed the growth hormone it got from the 997.

I learned to drive on a Willys Jeep that a friend’s family used as a ranch vehicle. Not sure the age but it was already ancient in the early 80s. Indeed, a primitive vehicle to say the very least.