Land Rover Defender versus Toyota Land Cruiser 76 Wagon 

Just a note that due to filthy, arrogant and abusive language, I have now banned another person from viewing my channel due to insults hurled at others on this video. Please understand . . . Abuse anyone, and you will be banned. I won't, and don't think anyone should have to put up with abuse from others. Please keep it clean and respectful. Thank you.

Unbiased,thorough testing. Exactly what I love to see in car comparisons.

Ive had a V8 76 series cruiser for a year and half now. So here are some points worth noting when looking at one. Major Complaints. 1.(V8 model Only) The alternator is mounted extremely low, rite in line with the front tyre. There is no splash protection of any kind, and so, the alternator cops all the mud and water coming off the front tyre. 2.(V8 model Only) The starter motor is mounted in between the V of the cylinders. Over time and use, the dust and water coming through the inter-cooler opening on the bonnet, blocks up the small drain hole. The water then pools and rusts out the start motor. Very expensive repair. 3. The wheel track difference of 50mm between the front and rear, can cause issues in the soft sand. The back wheels are constantly climbing over the sand buildup from the front tyre's, creating extra drag. This becomes even more noticeable in soft mud, the back end constantly moves around as it slides in and out of the front wheel ruts. 4. The factory lockers have there own breather pipes. These pipes are hidden away inside the wiring loom that controls the locking actuator. The length of the pipe is just long enough to get it up to the chassis height. You do a few deep water crossings, the locking actuator fulls up with water and rusts. More money for repairs. This may seem small, like its easily resolved by extending the breather pipe, but most owners of these vehicles will not be aware of this problem. This vehicle ( with the V8 ) makes a great caravan tower, but i don't think enough time and thought was put into its design for proper off road use. At $65k, i think Toyota cheaped out by not engineering a larger rear axle to match the new front axle. Specially with the amount of these vehicles sold to the major mining companies each year. If i had my time and my $65 000 to spend again. I would buy a 2006 105 series landcruiser, have the factory 4.2 Turbo straight 6 motor put in and front + rear Air Lockers. Much better build quality, reliable motor and only 20 nm of torque less than the V8. Sorry for the long post :)

My experience as a mechanic when it comes to modern Land Rovers is pretty shocking. Use Defenders offroad and be prepared to replace most of the drivetrain by 50,000km. Three of them traded in the past year in on Landcruisers, all of them needed new axles; huge slack in the splines and twisted shafts (nearly 180 degrees torsional twist). Transfer cases develop huge amount of slack in them. Wheel bearings get noisy early on. Clutches fail (covers/diaphragm springs, in particular, crack) early on too. Diffs get slack in them. And the crazy thing is, Land Rover fans ACCEPT this as normal. It just isn't! I regularly see 70 series with 500,000km+ on them, still going strong. There's a reason why any serious mining company uses Land Cruisers and not Land Rovers these days. Land Rovers are for romantic hobbyists who prefer image over actual longevity and capability. Yes, wheelbase, approach and departure angles are better on the Land Rover, but that's about all. Their engines are also pretty weak in terms of overall power. Also, the seating and driving position is utterly horrific. I've no idea how anyone gets comfortable in them for long trips. It's all very easy for motoring journalists and reviewers to recommend a car to you based on a weekend trip, but it's YOUR tens of thousand of dollars you're putting up to buying the car. Make sure it'll last LONGER than that initial weekend off road trip. You have to think of the long term running costs and it does not add up for Land Rovers, sorry. Not having a go, just my professional, first hand experience of them. If you want to look tough in the city, buy the Land Rover. If you actually want to be tough and get places and back again, buy the Land Cruiser.

Although I was unhappy with your decision for the Toyota (because I drive a Defender 90), your documentary was very unbiased and formative. Thank you for providing a realistic video comparing the two.

Thank you. Very open an honest comparison. As I only buy old vehicles (cheap), I would have loved a comment on durability, and related running costs. Personally I think Toyota would have won easily because of perhaps simplicity and more reliable components.

Ahh the old landcruiser v landrover, i remember in the early eighties when the australian army used cruisers for three years, they used them on an excercise up cape york, they brought quite a lot back on flat bed trucks, buckled, bent and broken, when the landy 110 was produced they went back to them,30 years later they still had them, thats gotta tell ya something aye

I've been a passenger recently in a 70 series 3.0 litre diesel Land Cruiser being conveyed to and fro along truly shockingly rutted dirt tracks in the wilds of Portugal with two people on the front passenger seat, three on the back and two on the rear facing seats plus as many bits of luggage/shopping/beers as could be squeezed in the remaining spaces. I can honestly say I was utterly astonished at the way the vehicle negotiated what appeared to be totally impassable rocks/dips/holes etc. Magnificent machine. This man's review is amazingly detailed.

Land Cruiser King of the desert and mountains and valleys we lanstghani in Saudi Arabia we love Toyota Land Cruiser

I love how you conduct your comparisons.. You highlight the little things that make a huge difference in using the two vehicles.

I love how all defender drivers will tell you how much everything about it sucks but then they say they love the car anyway haha

This is a very refreshing review thank you. I was in this position 3 years ago here in Australia. We were after a capable full size 4x4 which suited the day to day and also take our family on adventures. Also on a budget, so looking for a used car. Defender - One of the reasons I did not buy a Defender was also about the interior comfort, I had to think about my family. Having been a passenger in a Defender off-road it's pretty uncomfortable. Not sure I could have lived with one in the city.. Great truck but very agricultural feel. We also dismissed the Toyota Series 80 and Prado as they too felt to plastic and basic. I like a little luxury. 80 is also very large and I did not like ride. It's road manners was lacking in stability and feeling. Albeit the Nissan Patrol GU was not featured here. I liked them a lot, but the ones within my budget had been given a very hard life with very High mileage. I would have been very close to a lot of repair bills. What did we choose? A Land Rover Discovery 2. Most of these have never really seen much action outside the city so good condition low mileage ones we're in budget. We carefully chose one which was maintained well and 3 years down the track it's been superb. However, I do notice that my right arm is against the door like the Defender. It also has a large centre cubby box, but is not a prominent an issue as the Defender in your review. Also the rear door does let in dust along the top only, otherwise it seals well. It's been solid and reliable with some new hoses and perished rubber parts as most 14 year old cars would have. I would like the double opening rear doors like the Toyota or Patrol...

I love them both. But my heart is inclined to choose the TOYOTA for the following 3 points: - the design - the engine: more powerful in my opinion, with a more pleasant noise to hear - robustness and longevity. I've had some experience but with other models, that used in the same conditions, the TOYOTA would live longer than the Landrover.

Being British my heart wants to crown the defender the king. However whilst driving a 70 series on a cattle station in the WA Bush it was clear that the Cruiser was King. I was towing 4 trailers weighing a 1 ton each through loose sand banks, steep hills and rivers this ute just kept on trucking with 400,000+ miles on the clock. Arm out the window, Aussie country music playing over the 4.5 V8 engine purring away. I just wish they were sold in the U.K.

As a Brit in the USA, I have owned Land rovers, a Discovery, 2 XJ Jeeps & now a Toyota Tacoma. I am Toyota guy forever, love Land rover but they are not well made & unreliable in my experience. Jeep have a bad reputation for reliability also but i did like my XJ`s. I drive a Jeep for a living but my personal vehicles it will be Japanese all the way. Great video.

Thank you for an unbiassed and thought provoking review. From a 26 year old LR90 owner.

Great unbiased comparison, I'm a Land Rover man (Previously Defender 90, currently Discovery 3) but can appreciate the the legend that is the Land Cruiser. A joy to watch both in action, thanks 4xOverland

Both cars achieve the same goal using two different methods. The defender relies on its center locker with traction control and the land cruiser uses mechanical front and rear lockers. But if I was in a pickle I would much rather have a mechanical lockers on my car to get me out than rely on traction control. Both cars are legends and neither sold in the US😢

Yes. A repeat but much better quality video.

Dry dusty dirt hill maybe ok for the Landrover Traction control. Try it in good deep snowy hill and you will quickly realize you need those diff-locks of the Toyota Landcruiser!

One of the best reviews I've ever seen. nicely presented. Excellent. Thumbs up.

I thoroughly enjoyed that! Well thought out, very objective, it leaves the viewer to make up his/her own mind as well. Kudos to the team who put this together. Still have a soft spot for the 110...

Thanks for this review really enjoyed it, I own a 76 series and fortunately I do have the 4.5 ltr V8 Turbo diesel and it is a awesome motor on the tracks the Torque is sensational and on the highway it just ticks along and being able to overtake A tripple (a Truck with 3 40 foot trailers so bloody big) with my camper trailer in tow and listening the V8 rumble makes my day. Keep up the good work. Cheers

Awesome stuff. I love my 03 4runner. Probably not the best 4x4 but has never let me down!!

Nice video. Thanx, Andrew! And about the 80-series being the "finest hour" of the Toyota technicians - you're right. My wife and I are traveling through South America for a year now, on- and offroad, and we simply LOVE it, although I miss the lockers.

Awesome! I could never find this in better quality. The most unbiased review I've ever seen on either of these two 4wd's

great detailed review, thankyou sir....go landcrusier!!!, hi from australia, i also find the defender has a very heavy clutch twice as heavy as the landcrusier

Happy Land Rover Discovery 1 owner here! 1998 to be exact! Just want to thank you for this lovely comparison!

I enjoy your reviews, you give great reviews. You're a serious man. Keep up the good content, cheers

I'd prefer lockers to traction control

even if I have been gettin' in and out of landies since I was a child and it is one of the true icons in my life (I would truly LOVE to own a series1 hardtop) I'd rather go for toyota (dependability)... but if so, it would definitively be the troopy!!!

Ha ,, I have a defender 110 kitted up for over landing ,, (ish) My stepfather has the land cruzer ( vx ) I think,, He has had defenders in the past and uses for work mainly towing heavy loads,, bit of off road, he swears by the toyota over the landrovers ,,, I use my 110 for work ( dog handler ) but also for carrying water accross a couple of fields for the missus n daughters horses,, I preff the defender, but my choice came down to if the defender suffers from scratches or dents, it won't look crap, whereas the toyota would do,,,,, lol hope that makes sence,,,I love your revues you seem bang on the money to be fair!

Thank you for a wonderful review of both vehicles. Very thorough and informative.

Excellent review. Currently running a modded JK Wrangler but looking to moving to a 70 series wagon. Thanks for the awesome review mate 👍

And your english is a pleasure to listen as a french native speaker

Sweet video, but there is only one 4x4 king, and that's the original fiat panda 4x4

Nothing to touch a LC, reliability, longevity, availability for the spares, in africa we use them for safaris.they are good work horses plus good resale value 💪😉...if well maintained this vehicle will never let you down anywhere at any time ✌️😊

Not sure how u ended up watching such an old video but this video shows the benefit of the lockers. Love the Defender in this video. I have never owned one and will probably never own one but it looks really nice.

Such a shame I only discovered your channel now. Its brilliant!

Fair review unlike some other videos I've seen...You've just found a new subscriber.

Two very capable machines, I'd have both if the wife would only agree. As it is I'll just settle with my 1988 ADF milspec Land Rover 110.

Excellent review! That's why we love this channel!

The best comparison I have ever seen , experience at the highest level

Good video and fair too. We all have our own opinion and that's what makes this so interesting. My Disco 1 V8 300K plus on the clock and still going solid. Its not how many liters per 100Km you get - its how many smiles :) Stay safe on and off road and look after your trucks.

Toyota the whole way. The troop carrier is legendary. The popularity and legacy of this vehicle in Australia is stuff of legend. Tiny British fuel tanks and shonky reliability might be ok in the unbelievably densely populated Africa with its 1.1billion people, but it's an impossibility here in the desolate remoteness of Australia. The parts and customising kit here for Toyota are phenomenal. Nice review.

Excellent review thank you for taking the time to do this. Land Cruisers have always been in my heart and it is just now the affordability I'm such a vehicle is within my reach albeit a 10 year old model. Like you I have a 10 year old daughter that I'd like to take camping and let her get to know the outdoors. There's more to this world than internet RU-vid (cough) and shopping malls. For safety I'll probably go with camping Outfitter as a group as I am a newbie. Thank you again I wish you safe travels.

all hail to the toyota, huray !!!

Great vid man. Thanks for a fair comparison of two very capable rigs.

a thoroughly enjoyable watch, 2 great vehicles with good & bad points. toyota for me, purely for the reliability pedigree. wanting an amazon 24v :) great video

Thank you for letting us know more about particularly the Land cruiser

Excellent video. I am a former owner of a 1968 FJ40 and currently drive a 2011 200 series. I really wish I could wheel in Australia one of these days. Cheers!

Exceptional review I learned a lot from this comparison.

thanks for another great video,I noticed a lot of gadgets and electroincs in your Land Crusier, may you pleaee enlighten us about them.

4xOverland Thanks for another great review. I like the way you bring real world context into your commentary instead of just spouting numbers. Have you had the opportunity to test the new 1VD-FTV V8 diesel? And if so how much am I missing out on if I only had the opportunity to have the 1HZ engine?

Great video! Just getting into offroading and this is fantastic info: -)

Very detailed and professional video, loved it. Please include Nissan Patrol comparison videos too. Thank you

I have a Defender 90 and I love it - but everything he says is right - I'd prefer a Land Cruiser if I'd only admit it....

I know the Landcruiser history segment was more focused on the station wagon variants in connection with your main comparison video, but would have like to seen more covered on the HJ75 and 79 series Cruisers.... After all, they really are the backbone of the Cruiser family for that generation.

My first car was a Hilux 1.8 2wd . Loved it. Next a Surf/ 4 runner. Loved it but underpowered with a 2.4. Diesel . Next a Prado 3l great car but engine overheated and full engine replacement. Next an Amazon / 100 series 4.2 TD. . After 60 k kms Torc converter failed ( common) and I never worked again even with three repairs , other than that….. amazing vehicle . Next a Hilux 3.0 d4d Kingcab. Never a problem… sorry I sold her. Then a 2016 Prado 2.8 l … underpowered .. sold it within two months . Next 2019 Hilux 2.4 … great pick up but family growing … sold it . After 20 years driving Toyota I spent more money than them all put together and bought a 2016 Defender😭. Spent thousands on in her in extras. 3 months into ownership … catastrophic yellow light appears on dashboard. 4 months in a LR dealership they replaced turbo , intercooler, EGR and gaskets and electrics. Would have cost me thousands except for warranty. Conclusion …, I love my defender but hate it’s engine . As soon as the asthmatic child of an engine packs in.., replace with a Toyota engine and gearbox. Advice: buy a Toyota .

Toyota inter-axle diff lock and cross axle diff lock any day for me over the Land Rover electrical ABS in reverse. I know the Toyota system will always work, remember, water and electrics do not mix!

I love the Toyota 70 series! I also love the Land Rover Defender! 😊

I love my 1997 FJ80. I am going to keep it with me forever!

Thanks for a nice interesting video! Beeing a Toyota fan, I liked your conclusion, but still you made good observations for both cars. I will check out more of your channel.

Very helpful and serious review. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for posting

A fair and balanced review. Thanks for making, uploading and sharing.

Watching this in 2021 because i found this channel and im binge watching.

Omar. Take a look at: ru-vid.com/group/PLdZBtPD_yK0-2gZ-mlbV5viPfjwihkBfs

This is such a great review. Well done :)

Very enjoyable watch! Loved it.

Very well spoken and respected! Thank you! 👍

Mr. White, thank you for your video(s), informative and enjoyable! Please be advised that there’s no sound in this video from 17:35 for 1 minute, then it comes back in (I know it’s an older video and probably not worth re-editing and reposting).

Absolutely awesome vehicle.The Land Rover Defender. Hope to buy one, one day....

I'm a landrover person, i pretty much grew up with our land rover (discovery 1) it just has a magic feeling to it that no toyota can replicate, don't get me wrong toyota's are great cars but their for people who don't care about the emotion of a car only how it performs

Head: Toyota. Heart: Defender. In fact: buy a Defender and fit a locker.

After watching this (A few times I might add) I have ordered a new 76 series GXL V8 TD. Your review helped me quite a lot and seemed to be very impartial. I love the Defender but I think the Toyota comes with a bit more reliability. I love both and that they have good basic functions and are a bit "Old School"(To a point). I know the rear wheel base issues with the 76 and that does annoy me a little. I also own a 89 SWB TD Pajero which I have had from new. So, I am hoping I can have the best of both worlds as the Pajero is similar to the Defender. (Watch me get slated for saying that,,,A-Hum). Anyway, just a quick thank you for your review.

Thank you very much, very informative and good comparison.

Hi there, thanks for a great review!. Your comparison was between the 2.4 LRD. Will you change your mind about the Toyota LC being better than the LRD with 2.2 motor LRD?. Thanks

Such an informative, well planned comparison. We temd to rationize the vehicle we have already bought but let's remember these are toys for big boys and logic is not a primary tool in our preferences.. Let us go out and enjoy till we can no longer drive.

Good job. Thanks for the review.

Mine handles like its on rails. Even with rtt and loaded. I love my defender.

Ahh!! My favorite show!!

Lovely video One of my favorite channels now.

Perfect comparison! Thanks a lot.

Thank god for the 4.5 V8 turbo diesel and to be young enough to enjoy it!

ASPW this is what you’re so incredibly good at - store telling and vehicle reviews. Please go back to doing this kind of thing again :) there are so many vehicles on the market which need reviewing

An excellent comparison, I thoroughly enjoy Andrew's reviews (and stories). A no nonsense unbiased review of the most popular and best 4wd's money can buy and top locations around the world that really put these 4WD's in their element. Anyone serious about 4WD's would be mad not to be subscribed to this channel. I have had an old 2000 model (90 series) Prado for the last 2 years which has been great but I just purchased a 2014 defender 110 in silver grey (James Bond style) which should be here in a few days. I can't wait but will always go back to a Toyota for the remainder of my driving years. The 110 is just a novelty for now because it looks so cool and Bond like I simply couldn't resist at only AUD$6000 with 138,000 and 6 months warranty. A great deal as I don't keep cars for very long. It's due to ASPW's passion and informative content that motivates me to pursue 4WDing and it's him I can thank for helping narrow down my choices for vehicles. Thanks for such great content.

When first time I drove the Defender 110, I thought I had bought a wrong vehicle. It's not easy to drive or looking for a space in the parking lot. Till I drove it off road..then I remembered again the reason why I bought this remarkable car at the first place.

The flaps are one of my favourite things about defender

You are too kind on the landrover. It has a weak body that falls apart in a few years of off road. High speed in corners and your chance of rolling is higher because it is too tall and unstable. However it can leave the cruiser in real mud. It has greater economy on diesel. Landrover spares are reasonably priced unlike cruiser.

Best car review ever

Great video, really enjoyed it.

Thank you. Drive safe boss 🙏

The 100 series was launched in 1998. In the US the last year available of the FJ80 was 1997. The 100 series Land Cruiser and LX470 were then sold starting as 1998 models. Just FYI. www.toyota-global.com/showroom/vehicle_heritage/landcruiser/collection/model_100_1.html

good video. nice to see an unbiased comparison. however a few inaccuracies in the Toyota LC History. The Prado model wasnt first introduced with the 95 series, it actually first came with the 79 series which was a lighter weight version of the 70 series with smaller engine. Apart from the last year or so before the 95 series came out the Prados (79's) used a 2.4 td engine which is notorious for over heating and having head problems on long drives, probably a very rare thing an unreliable toyota engine. The last few years it came with the 3ltr engine which was then used in the 95 series prado's you mentioned and that is a good engine. I've had two 79 series for work ( one engine over heated and died) and then i've still got two 95 series prados which i use for work and they have been awesome as i've been using them for many years now no worries. I also have a 80 series 4.2 td and that is AWESOME, the best i'd say. But i still think the 79 series prado had one of the most comfortable driving seats and i really enjoyed driving it. So i expect if i could get my hands on one, i'd love the 76 series with the 4.2 or V8 engines and all the lockers like i have on my 80 series. Other problem with the history was you didnt seem to indicate that the BJ / FJ difference is due to the engine duel type, nothing else.

comprehensive and thorough

Great review except you missed one extremely vital point! Fuel Consumption! Hands down the Defender will likely be way cheaper to do trips with which is a huge factor!

Andrew you speak very much clear about the two vehicles,I totally appreciate your comments so I give a A± but for rugged roads the land rover defender is best but land rover defender needed much more horsepower and torques and a bigger i6 cylinders or V 8 diesel engines.

Thanks for great and instructional videos. What is your view on the Mercedes G class compared to the Defender and Land Cruiser?

I’d love to see a lc79 vs lc200 comparison 👍

I sure wish we got Land Cruisers like these in the U.S. Our version is way too fancy, gas only and start at $80,000.