new defender or landcruiser?

[jason61c]

Hi

I've decided on a new defender or Landcruiser(2021 version).

Local dealer were offering zero discount, a few online have about 2%.

Forcescarsdirect(i'm ex), have quoted £54795 for a car listing at £58155, so just over 6%. has anyone bettered that?

From owners, any issues?(I didn't like the 2.0 4 pot), any regular things going wrong? any IL6 owners comment on motorway mpg(circa 33?)

The only reason I've not comitted is I want to keep it 8 years, also I think the toyota will be zero hassle, residuals are very strong also.

Thanks.

[Walter Sobchak]

I think there’s a brand new Landcruiser coming in the next year or two, residuals of the current one will no doubt stay strong though, they always seem to.
If it was a choice between the current one or the new Defender I’d probably go for the Land Rover as it’s a much newer design, both great cars though.

[snowandrocks]

As a long term purchase the Land Cruiser would be my choice. I guess it depends on your priorities but I value dependability over flashy gimmicks, gadgets and styling.

The Defender will be better to drive but the Toyota will undoubtedly be better to own.

[Wilmslowboy]

I got 10% off a brand new 110 defender (exc the £2k first year road tax)

Had a choice of a few at that level of discount. (First edition 240)

[DailyHack]

Landcruiser for me, think it is the more classier vehicle now, bit less "sorry to say, and sorry if I upset anyone" a little chav/flashy only my opinion

The older defender still has a better following, always loved the Landcruiser, they do have strong residuals also, and are very very understated.

Love a white "UN Spec" one, steel wheels, and few other basic comforts, I think they are great!

[snowandrocks]

DailyHack said:

Landcruiser for me, think it is the more classier vehicle now, bit less "sorry to say, and sorry if I upset anyone" a little chav/flashy only my opinion

The older defender still has a better following, always loved the Landcruiser, they do have strong residuals also, and are very very understated.

Love a white "UN Spec" one, steel wheels, and few other basic comforts, I think they are great!

Yep I agree, rightly or wrongly I'd feel pretty self conscious driving a new Defender around.

I was looking to order a Landcruiser in the exact spec described but there was already quite a long waiting list so, with lockdown looming, I picked up a secondhand Hilux instead. It's in full UN/farmer spec but is grey rather than white!

[jason61c]

Its a top spec landcruiser, so it'll be at least as good as the defender on the road.

There's new engines this year, knocked 3 seconds off the 0-60, which shows how much better it is. I do think the landcruiser has more class.

[snowandrocks]

If you decide to go for the Landcruiser, give Davie Robertson at SDM Toyota an email. He posts on Facebook as The Hilux Man and came up with a much better price than my local dealer.

[LeftLake]

I concur, landcruiser would also be my choice! Toyota do a 5 year 100k mile warranty, and you are much less likely to run into problems.

The new Defender was bodged through by a load of inexperienced grads, although has in places been well-engineered (mainly through outsourcing - details I won't go into). On the whole, the project wasn't particularly well managed, and people are having lots of issues with reliability / quality etc. (just have a quick google). Don't get me wrong, the LR is incredibly capable off road, and I can see the appeal of leasing one for a couple of years and then handing it back. Keeping the Defender longer term - no chance !

[jason61c]

Can you share the common issues?

[Tabs]

Toyota if it was me.
Enquire about the extended warranty after the first 5 years. May be able to extend on their 2 years for the price of 1 deal.

[rosejem]

In 2019 I tried a Landcruiser Utility 5 door car version manual gear box & really enjoyed it for the 1 hr demo I had , of note the add blue filler is in the middle of the engine bay which is not ideal to top up as seen where someone had spilt some around the engine bay. If I was being really fussy chassis underseal paint was a bit tight some fastners were showing early signs of light corrosion. I liked the spare wheel being underneath & the opening boot window , both of which the new defender do not have .

The new defender is a wide vehicle & very long with the large spare wheel on the door, however I think the new straight six engine may be the decider for me over the 4 cyclinder 2.8 in the Landcruiser.

[jason61c]

The landcrusier 4 pot is much better than the defender 4 pot.

It’s a top spec ‘invincible’ with air suspension, cooled seats, ‘the world’

[LeftLake]

Jason61 lots of electronics and software issues coming through at the moment. In a couple of years they may have managed to get the bugs all ironed out, but right now, it's a big risk. Check engine light seems to be a common one, I strongly suspect they haven't finished off their HUMS system properly and are planning software / firmware patches later.

So far I've heard of:
Engine management light - very common
Adaptive Cruise issues - common - I'm not surprised given what I've heard of the development
Touch screen not working
Infotainment freezing & radio malfunction - also common
Stop-start not working
Sunroof issues
Quality issues with wiring harnesses
Several have needed engine replacements following the engine management light. I have heard of cases on both the 2.0 petrol and the 2.0 diesel.
Poor fit and finish, trim falling off etc - I've seen them in the dealers with bits of trim / wheel arch liner missing (not uncommon for JLR)

And that's all before we've got much data on them.

Due to lack of parts availability, people are waiting several months for their car back. LR do sort people with decent courtesy cars.

If you absolutely must purchase the new Defender, at least give it another year or so for the problems to be ironed out. (and get a good extended warranty)

I think they stopped production in December due to Covid, I'm not sure if they have started again, but you may be looking at stock only

All new models have issues, but this is a vehicle marketed as tough and dependable. Dependable it isn't.

Edited by LeftLake on Thursday 14th January 23:24

[jason61c]

Looks like the next landcruiser comes out in a year, might be worth waiting...

[snowandrocks]

jason61c said:

Looks like the next landcruiser comes out in a year, might be worth waiting...

I think next year's the 300 series full size Land Cruiser that isn't currently imported to the UK.

The smaller Land Cruiser (or Prado overseas) that you're interested in is scheduled for replacement the year after I think.

https://www.motoring.com.au/next-toyota-landcruise...

[Walter Sobchak]

snowandrocks said:

I think next year's the 300 series full size Land Cruiser that isn't currently imported to the UK.

The smaller Land Cruiser (or Prado overseas) that you're interested in is scheduled for replacement the year after I think.

https://www.motoring.com.au/next-toyota-landcruise...

I’d think the next full sized Landcruiser might make it over here?, the only reason they stopped selling it in Europe is they sold so few and it wasn’t worth spending the money to make the 4.5 D4D Euro 6 compliant.
The next one and the next Prado are likely to be great cars, I’m interested to see what engines they end up putting in them.
Of course really though I still want an 80 Series!.

[snowandrocks]

Walter Sobchak said:

I’d think the next full sized Landcruiser might make it over here?, the only reason they stopped selling it in Europe is they sold so few and it wasn’t worth spending the money to make the 4.5 D4D Euro 6 compliant.
The next one and the next Prado are likely to be great cars, I’m interested to see what engines they end up putting in them.
Of course really though I still want an 80 Series!.

Hopefully! Looks like all new engines with even a hybrid option so like you say, it might come back to the UK. Toyota seem to be on a roll at the moment so I'm also pretty excited to see what they come up with.

Just sold my 80 series after 15 years of reliable service - great old trucks.

[troika]

Has to be the LC.

[Walter Sobchak]

snowandrocks said:

Hopefully! Looks like all new engines with even a hybrid option so like you say, it might come back to the UK. Toyota seem to be on a roll at the moment so I'm also pretty excited to see what they come up with.

Just sold my 80 series after 15 years of reliable service - great old trucks.

I hope it does, it’s always good to see a 200 series on the road, so rare here.

I got offered an 80 Series years ago and didn’t get it, wish I had now!.
I’d still love a well specced one in blue or burgundy red, ideally cloth seats,auto with the 3 lockers.
Very rare beasts now though and very expensive, I’m sure your one will provide the new owner with many more years of service.