New Land Cruiser vs Defender Which is Easier to Live With

In this video, I’m putting two modern off-road legends head-to-head: the new Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 diesel and the Land Rover Defender D250 with the 3.0-litre diesel.

Both of these are proper go-anywhere machines with serious heritage behind them, but in 2026 they’re aiming at very different buyers. The Land Cruiser stays true to its roots with a focus on durability, simplicity, and long-term dependability, while the Defender blends its iconic design with modern tech, comfort, and performance.

I drive them back-to-back on real roads to see how they compare as actual cars you’d live with every day — not just weekend off-road toys. We look at the engines, interiors, ride comfort, practicality, and the overall driving experience, and try to answer the big question: which one really makes the most sense to own?

So if you’re choosing between the Land Cruiser 2.8 diesel and the Defender D250, this is the comparison you’ll want to watch.