Defender 110 v FE Land Cruiser

[jptruck]

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. I'm sure they'd be comfortable off-road, but I'm not so sure how comfortable I'd be taking them there.

 

[Alpha Puppy]

I think the closest LR comparison to the LC FE is the Defender 130 Outbound. It has only 2 rows and a cargo space comparable to the one in the LC. I test drove this one and liked it but ultimately the huge price difference, reliability and depreciation concerns made getting the LC FE instead an easy decision.

 

[Onyx]

Test drove them both, i LOVED the Defender (especially the v8). Not going to lie, the engine options are better in the Defender. It just packs way more punch. Was debating between the Defender vs the LC, but eventually going with the LC. Main question I ask myself is... If I am going to take a vehicle to a long road trip touring coast to coast plus off-roading, which one will make it with zero problem? And which vehicle will hold the value better and have better aftermarket parts to enhance it's potential? I would probably put my money on the LC. The verdict on the Defender is yet to be determined, even though it's shown to be much more reliable than the rest of the Land Rover line up.

 

[BossEvelope]

Thanks for the write-up. My LC replaced my LR4, which I kept and still love. I considered the defender as well but for many of the reasons you mentioned I went with LC. Ultimately I grew frustrated with Land Rover dealership model - always trying to squeeze every dollar possible out of owners. Parts are so damn expensive and finding a third-party rover specialty mechanic for repairs is a pain and still expensive. If you only own the rover under warranty and cycle them out every 3-5 years they are great. Rovers have a wonderful luxurious feel. I just didn’t want the stress of owning a LR anymore. Every time a light comes up on the dashboard you just know it’s going to be expensive. My family and I are super happy with the LC and happy to be part of the Toyota community.

 

[t3lcfe]

Thanks for the write-up. My LC replaced my LR4, which I kept and still love. I considered the defender as well but for many of the reasons you mentioned I went with LC. Ultimately I grew frustrated with Land Rover dealership model - always trying to squeeze every dollar possible out of owners. Parts are so damn expensive and finding a third-party rover specialty mechanic for repairs is a pain and still expensive. If you only own the rover under warranty and cycle them out every 3-5 years they are great. Rovers have a wonderful luxurious feel. I just didn’t want the stress of owning a LR anymore. Every time a light comes up on the dashboard you just know it’s going to be expensive. My family and I are super happy with the LC and happy to be part of the Toyota community.

A bit history, I had been owned Gwagon 2016 for 8yrs and till now…very happy with it on road and especially , off-roading with family (UT, AZ, CO, WO, Montana, etc.). It was upgraded with mods. So far, never had any problems till now

Before I did choose LCFE 24 (and definitely happy with it too), I compared it with BMW X5, LR Defender 110, Lexus GX 550 (in the range $75-$100k)…
The main reasons I had LCFE: legendary brand / name with proven reliable / off-road capacity, rugged look, good size to cut through narrow trails, “luxury” look while everyday drive in town, great flat form for ultimate off-road upgrades/mods,…go “any where” vehicle

If I want luxury from inside out MC (many people upset with my “own term” MC Mall Cruiser ), I will not take LC, but X5/Defender/GX550
I do love my LCFE for that purpose. It’s my second top favorite vehicle…will stay with me for decades and definitely not a re-sale vehicle

Happy LC to all!

 

[cmpugh7]

Just get both!! I have been driving Rovers for 20 years. This is first LC. Love them both for different reasons. Rover is amazing off-road, LC is also great. Both of mine are equally equipped... nearly identical.

I will say, I'm probably a rare breed, as I buy vehicles to use them for their intended purpose. Rover is dented, scratched etc, as I wheel it hard. LC is scratched and fuel skid looks like a golf ball already with only 2k miles on it. I don't abuse them, but certainly use them. I just try to forget about the price tag (Rover over double the cost of LC) and don't think about what they are going to be worth in the future, but what they are worth to me right now.

 

[jptruck]

I think the closest LR comparison to the LC FE is the Defender 130 Outbound. It has only 2 rows and a cargo space comparable to the one in the LC. I test drove this one and liked it but ultimately the huge price difference, reliability and depreciation concerns made getting the LC FE instead an easy decision.

That thing screams worker ant to me. Large back-end that looks like it was slapped on to compete with Grand Cherokees of the world.

 

[jptruck]

Thanks for the write-up. My LC replaced my LR4, which I kept and still love. I considered the defender as well but for many of the reasons you mentioned I went with LC. Ultimately I grew frustrated with Land Rover dealership model - always trying to squeeze every dollar possible out of owners. Parts are so damn expensive and finding a third-party rover specialty mechanic for repairs is a pain and still expensive. If you only own the rover under warranty and cycle them out every 3-5 years they are great. Rovers have a wonderful luxurious feel. I just didn’t want the stress of owning a LR anymore. Every time a light comes up on the dashboard you just know it’s going to be expensive. My family and I are super happy with the LC and happy to be part of the Toyota community.

Kept my Discovery for my son to drive. Still under warranty until 2026 (2019 model). I only drive 8K a year. Had my LR4 naked for a few years after warranty expired. It wasn't too bad. Should have kept that one. It was the last V8 model from 2012.

That said, that LR4 made me nervous enough to get rid of it (LR3 prior was a disaster). I liked the Disco, but it's also a grocery getter nowadays. Love the massage seats, though.

 

[jptruck]

Just get both!! I have been driving Rovers for 20 years. This is first LC. Love them both for different reasons. Rover is amazing off-road, LC is also great. Both of mine are equally equipped... nearly identical.

I will say, I'm probably a rare breed, as I buy vehicles to use them for their intended purpose. Rover is dented, scratched etc, as I wheel it hard. LC is scratched and fuel skid looks like a golf ball already with only 2k miles on it. I don't abuse them, but certainly use them. I just try to forget about the price tag (Rover over double the cost of LC) and don't think about what they are going to be worth in the future, but what they are worth to me right now.

That's it. Do you really get that much more for double the price, and double the depreciation? Not to mention the headaches and costs of maintaining these vehicles at a Rover dealership. I mean, they charge $90 per wiper blade replacement if you don't watch them.

 

[DaChronisseur]

Aren't the new Defenders unibody with independent suspension front and rear? I will always be a body on frame fan for off-roading. And then there's the old adage, a Land Rover will take you anywhere you want to go, but a Land Cruiser will get you there and bring you back.

 

[cmpugh7]

That's it. Do you really get that much more for double the price, and double the depreciation? Not to mention the headaches and costs of maintaining these vehicles at a Rover dealership. I mean, they charge $90 per wiper blade replacement if you don't watch them.

Not at all. My build on the base Defender was “extremely” custom which added about $60k to the price tag but it’s certainly not necessary. They are ridiculously capable without it.

The other piece is I’ve been a part of the Land Rover community so long, you build connections etc and I rarely work with the dealership unless its warranty work. I do most of it myself, but again not something most people are going to want or be willing to do.

I love my Defender, but the LC is amazing as well. I can’t choose just one honestly.

 

[cmpugh7]

Aren't the new Defenders unibody with independent suspension front and rear? I will always be a body on frame fan for off-roading. And then there's the old adage, a Land Rover will take you anywhere you want to go, but a Land Cruiser will get you there and bring you back.

Correct. It was some getting used to, as I have several others that are straight axle and that’s what I have wheeled from the beginning. Lifting wheels etc can be uneasy at first but it takes me most places I want to go. I don’t do ridiculous rock crawling etc.

Only one occasion have I been towed home and that was my issue… went way too hard and rolled over my LR3 after breaking a driveshaft at Uhwarrie. I get there and get home 99% of the time. I go pretty hard 6-8 times a year and lighter another 5-6 times a year. They have been good to me.

I don’t see it being any different in the LC. Really happy with the purchase.

 

[jptruck]

Not at all. My build on the base Defender was “extremely” custom which added about $60k to the price tag but it’s certainly not necessary. They are ridiculously capable without it.

The other piece is I’ve been a part of the Land Rover community so long, you build connections etc and I rarely work with the dealership unless its warranty work. I do most of it myself, but again not something most people are going to want or be willing to do.

I love my Defender, but the LC is amazing as well. I can’t choose just one honestly.

No doubt. I'd probably stick to a used Defender if I went that way. The dealers get really antsy about modifications when it comes to warranty work, especially extended warranties. Buying a broken-in version alleviates some of that concern.

 

[cmpugh7]

No doubt. I'd probably stick to a used Defender if I went that way. The dealers get really antsy about modifications when it comes to warranty work, especially extended warranties. Buying a broken-in version alleviates some of that concern.

Very true. I blew out a transfer case seal because of some nasty water crossings and they wouldn’t cover it. I did it myself in an hour in my driveway for $40. No harm no foul but I’m pretty much black listed from warranty work unless it’s interior electrical which I’ve had 0 problems with.

 

[Onyx]

Aren't the new Defenders unibody with independent suspension front and rear? I will always be a body on frame fan for off-roading. And then there's the old adage, a Land Rover will take you anywhere you want to go, but a Land Cruiser will get you there and bring you back.

This right here pretty much nailed it lol.