Defender vs 4Runner
Land Rover brings the Defender; Toyota answers with the 4Runner. Both play in the midsize off-road suv class. Call it a near draw on paper, with just a few specs pulling the two apart.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Engine & Performance1.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Defender has 18 hp more power
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the Defender: 296 hp against 278 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The 4Runner has 22 lb-ft more torque
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The 4Runner’s 317 lb-ft beats the Defender’s 295 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
On engine & performance, pick your advantage: 18 hp more power from the Defender or 22 lb-ft more torque from the 4Runner. The engine & performance verdict depends on you more than on the spec sheet.
Total system output
Defender: 296 hp 4Runner: 278 hp The Defender’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
Defender: 295 lb-ft 4Runner: 317 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
If space & practicality matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. The space & practicality verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on off-road & towing; the numbers are close throughout. In short, off-road & towing is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Safety & Tech
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the Defender and the 4Runner row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Defender | 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.4L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 296 hp (winner) | 278 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4WD (twin-speed transfer case) | RWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Defender | 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 19 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 18 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 20 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Defender | 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Defender | 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | N/A (not specified) | 6,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Defender | 4Runner |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Defender if…
- you want more power (296 hp vs 278 hp)
- you prefer staying with Land Rover
Choose the 4Runner if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (317 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
- you already know your way around Toyota’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Defender or the 4Runner?
The Defender and the 4Runner split the comparison (performance for the Defender, pulling power for the 4Runner), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Executive Summary
The Defender versus the 4Runner is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Land Rover and Toyota made different bets. Start with the headline difference (the Defender has 18 hp more power), and a lot of the decision falls into place. That said, the 4Runner answers with 22 lb-ft more torque, which some people will value more.
The Defender is for you if performance tops your list; the 4Runner is for you if pulling power does.
My pick: I’d go with the Defender if I cared most about performance, and the 4Runner if pulling power mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.