2021 Land Rover Defender vs. 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro: Which Rugged SUV Is Best for You?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Shopping for an off-road capable SUV can be a challenge. After all, not all SUVs are capable of taking on the trails. Fortunately, however, both the 2021 Land Rover Defender and the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro are well-equipped for a day in the dirt. Here’s how these rugged SUVs compare.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender values options

First things first, let’s talk about what the 2021 Land Rover Defender has going for it. There’s no denying that this rugged SUV has a solid repudiation for going off-road. In fact, according to Kelley Blue Book, the Land Rover Defender is one of only a handful of SUVs (including the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, and Toyota Land Cruiser) that’s built specifically for taking on the trails.

Of course, its reputation as an off-roader isn’t all that this rugged SUV has going for it. As it turns out, the 2021 Land Rover Defender also values options. In fact, unlike the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, the Land Rover Defender can be had as a two-door or a four-door SUV. This year’s model also offers multiple engine options, including a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 395-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine. 

Unfortunately for the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, it can only be had as a four-door SUV. While that’s certainly not unusual, for those in the market for a two-door SUV, that could present a problem. The 4Runner TRD Pro is also available with one engine and one engine only, a 4.0-liter, 270-hp V6 that comes teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro has its advantages over the Land Rover Defender

While the 2021 Land Rover Defender values options when it comes to things like body styles and engine choices, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro does have its advantages. For instance, when it comes to reliability ratings, it’s the 4Runner TRD Pro that has the edge. In fact, while Consumer Reports gave the Defender a one out of five predicted reliability rating, it gave this year’s new 4Runner a five out of five reliability rating. 

The 4Runner TRD Pro has the edge when it comes to resale value too. In fact, according to CarEdge, you can expect the Defender to depreciate 63% after five years. But the 4Runner? CarEdge reports that the Toyota 4Runner will depreciate 35% after five years. That’s a significant difference that’s definitely worth considering, especially if you plan on selling your new SUV sometime in the future.

Which of these rugged SUVs is cheaper?

2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro | Toyota

When it comes to pricing, the 2021 Land Rover Defender is the cheaper option. However, that’s if you stick with a two-door Defender 90, which is essentially the base model. It starts at $46,100 and includes features like an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 3D surround-view camera, and a 10-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

But if you want more features than that? Upgrading to a higher trim level will cost you a pretty penny. In fact, at its most expensive price, the 2021 Land Rover Defender will have you spending upwards of $80,500, which is certainly not chump change.

The good news is that the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is significantly cheaper than a fully-loaded Land Rover Defender. In fact, this year’s model starts at $50,745. It also comes well-stocked with features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and an 8-inch touchscreen display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and Wi-Fi Connect.

Choosing between these rugged SUVs is going to take a test drive

If you’re in the market for a rugged SUV, both the 2021 Land Rover Defender and the 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro make for excellent choices. To find out which is the best for you, we recommend hitting the road for a couple of test drives.

RELATED: 3 Best AWD SUVs of 2021 According to TrueCar

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Toyota Kills Flagship Avalon

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Avalon has been hiding in the shadows for years. We think that is what owners like about it. You can squeeze the trigger without anyone noticing, and then go about your business in luxurious anonymity. The recently restyled Avalon does get noticed a little more, but most people assume it is a hot Camry. 

Toyota never gave the Avalon much if any marketing love

2022 Toyota Avalon | Toyota

One reason why Avalon’s days were numbered is because Toyota does little to advertise it. The carmaker made it official yesterday advising the Avalon will be killed off in 2022. Toyota’s flagship sedan will go the way of the Edsel and Trans Am. 

Next year the Avalon was due to be refreshed. That may be why Toyota is axing the model then. Toyota’s purchasing department gave the bad news to suppliers to prepare for ending supplier manufacturing. 

“While Avalon will be discontinued after the 2022 model year, Toyota remains committed to the sedan segment and we encourage customers to stay tuned for future developments. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky production capacity and employment will not be impacted,” the Japanese automaker said in a statement to Automotive News.

The Avalon is another casualty in the sedan segment

2022 Toyota Avalon rear 3/4 view
2022 Toyota Avalon | Toyota

The large sedan segment is shrinking as the SUV zeitgeist continues unabated. Toyota’s Avalon was its version of a Lexus ES 350. It featured many of the luxurious appointments that the Lexus has. Even a hybrid is offered.

And sales were improving. The first half of 2021 has seen sales increase almost 40-percent to 10,328 sold. But that is still one-quarter of Dodge Charger sales which tops the large sedan segment. 

In 2000 the Avalon sold 103,878. Last year the pandemic numbers fell to 18,421. Its sibling ES 350 sees sales slightly higher on average every year. But Avalon buyers feel they are getting a Lexus without the expensive badges.

The Avalon is the second car Toyota has killed in a year

2022 Toyota Avalon interior
2022 Toyota Avalon | Toyota

Toyota has now killed two cars just in the last year. In 2020 the hatchback Yaris was discontinued. Such as it goes with the car segment in these SUV days.

In the sedan segment what is left? The shrinking large sedan category is left with the Charger, Chrysler 300, and Nissan Maxima. American manufacturers have dominated the segment almost since the beginning of the automobile itself. 

It’s a stunning change for the automotive landscape that once considered big, lumbering sedans as a status symbol. Every year before and after WWII millions of sedans were sold. It is only in the last 20 years that the industry has seen such a shift. And with the onset of the electric vehicle, it is in the midst of another right now.

RELATED: The Toyota Avalon Is the Only Large Car to Earn This Consumer Reports Designation

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10 Car Loan Mistakes Everybody Makes

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Driving off the car lot with a new vehicle is the best feeling ever. However, everything that comes before that can be a bit of a nightmare. Anyone who’s dealt with car sales before knows just how stressful it can be. Just when you think you’re ready to finish, you get hit with another paper to sign. Here are some tips to help make the process easier and avoid costly mistakes that will haunt your wallet for years to come when dealing with car loans for your new vehicle.

Don’t focus on the car loan monthly payment

An Anchor Savings Bank car loans sign | Barbara Alper/Getty Images

When you finance a car, monthly payments are unavoidable. You shouldn’t be focused on how much you’ll owe each month, however. According to U.S. News, “A talented salesperson can manipulate the numbers to get the payment as low as they think you need it to be. Often, they’ll extend the car loan to ridiculous lengths to do so.”

Shop multiple lenders

This is especially true for first-time car owners. The first deal you get is probably not going to be great. Thankfully, there are plenty of lenders out there who will be willing to work with you. Shopping around before walking into the dealership means that if the dealer wants to be your lender, they have to step up their game. Also, make sure the loan is truly approved before you go, so you don’t end up with a loan that falls through.

Don’t roll your existing car loan into a new one

A car dealer may act like they want to pay off your existing loan so that you can buy a new car. IF that sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is. The dealer isn’t paying off your first loan. The reality is that the dealer rolls the first loan over into your new one. This will drastically increase the cost of your loan, and by extension, the interest rate. Even worse is the fact that while you’re paying for two separate vehicle loans, you only have one car.

Pick the right rebate

Car rebates and low-interest rates are a great way for dealers to tempt new potential owners in. It’s also a great way for you to save money if you pick the right one. According to Bankrate, you need to really do your homework about each specific rebate and the low-interest rate you are offered. Some are amazing and will save you lots of money in the long run. Others will cost you more than if you had avoided them. 

Refinance a high interest rate

If you’re already trapped in a bad loan agreement, you may feel stuck with it for the next few years. However, you don’t have to be. By talking to your bank or local credit union, you may be able to refinance the loan for a much lower rate that will help save you money.

Always read the fine print of a car loan

Everyone knows that car sales associates are the epitome of trust and grace, right? Now that we’ve got that joke out of the way, you need to read over anything placed in front of you carefully. Ensure that the price, loan, and interest rate you were quoted are the same as listed on the paperwork. If there is a blank space where the price should be, insist that it be filled out before you sign. This will prevent any confusion on the dealership’s part that they might be slow to fix.

Walk away from a bad car loan deal

Some deals stink from start to finish. The good news is that there are other deals out there. Don’t be afraid to walk away, even if this is the vehicle you’ve wanted since you were a child. By showing that you won’t be pushed around, you may gain some negotiating powers. On the other hand, even if the dealer refuses to play nice, you can still find a car at another dealer who isn’t trying to make a quick buck at your expense.

Know your credit score

This goes for any loan, whether it’s for a home or a vehicle. Knowing your credit score helps give you a better idea of the loans you qualify for. Therefore, if someone is quoting you a very high rate for a model despite having a great credit score, you’ll know to walk away.

Skip financing

If you’ve ever had a credit card, you probably know the pain of high-interest rates. The same thing applies to financing. If you can save up the money and pay cash, it’ll save you a lot in the long run. You can do this by essentially paying yourself the same car payment you would be paying a lender.

Don’t extend the life of a car loan to avoid higher payments

This goes hand in hand with taking a lower monthly payment. Yes, it seems cheaper on paper, allowing you to get the car you want. However, can you really afford this car? That’s the question you need to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

A car loan should not extend for six years or more. If it does, you’re paying a massive amount of interest, and you’re paying too much for the vehicle. Try looking at a cheaper vehicle or buying a used model of the car you can’t live without.

RELATED: Which Credit Score Do Lenders Use for Car Loans?

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Jay Leno Calls This American-Italian Hybrid “Automotive Royalty”

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Even with his extensive collection, some cars still leave Jay Leno in disbelief when he gets to drive them. That’s especially true of classic cars, whether they’re historically significant race cars or ‘simply’ rare rides. And recently, Jay Leno got a chance to drive what he called “automotive royalty.” Or, at least, “royalty to me,” he says—a ‘hybrid’ 1967 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada.

The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada: a classic hybrid and “one of the most beautiful race cars in the world” according to MotorTrend

1966 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada side | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images/Getty Images

No, that’s not an error, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada, aka ‘5300 GT’ or ‘Strada,’ is a hybrid. But it’s a ‘hybrid’ in the old sense of the word. Back in the ‘50s, ’60s, and ‘70s, ‘hybrids’ were cars with European chassis, suspensions, and styling but American engines. The Allard J2X is an excellent example, as is the Shelby Cobra 427.

In the 5300 GT’s case, its European roots stem from Italy. Originally, Giotto Bizzarrini worked for Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, designing icons like the 250 GTO, MotorTrend explains. But in 1961, he struck out with several other automotive engineers and managers to found Italian firm ATS. Unfortunately, that company soon folded. But Bizzarrini then found work designing Lamborghini’s famed V12 and both developing and racing the Iso Grifo.

The black-leather-upholstered seats and dash of a 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
1968 Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada interior | Bonhams

That Grifo work came in handy, because the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada is based on the racing version, the AC/3. The cars even have the same monocoque welded-steel chassis and four-wheel independent suspension, Road & Track says. Plus, while later Strada models have fiberglass body panels built by Riva (yes, the boat maker), early examples have aluminum ones like the AC/3. However, while there was a racing-spec 5300 GT Corsa, the Strada’s leather upholstery and creature comforts make it a road-going GT.

Being a GT, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada needs an appropriate powerplant. Underneath its hood is a 365-hp 5.3-liter Corvette V8 linked to a four-speed manual. That might not sound like a lot of power today, but it is for a lightweight ‘60s car. Plus, thanks to its aerodynamic design, the RWD Strada tops out at 161 mph, The Drive notes. And if you need to slow down, it has four-wheel disc brakes, a rarity for the time.

For a teenaged Jay Leno, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada was “the car”

Jay Leno has met Giotto Bizzarrini but doesn’t own one of his “legendary” namesake cars. The restored aluminum-bodied 5300 GT Strada in the video above belongs to one of Leno’s buddies. “How this one escaped me, I don’t know,” Leno quips.

In Jay Leno’s mind, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada is a reminder of “the golden age of Road & Track and Car and Driver.” It’s stylish inside and out, down to the V8’s Weber carburetors and the finish on the hand-beaten body panels. And he “loves how high the fender is” when sitting in it.

Admittedly, the Strada is a “warm car” to drive, he says, because the V8’s mid-front position puts it right against the firewall. And changing the spark plugs requires going through a dashboard-mounted access panel. It’s also rather low even compared to other classic cars. But unusually for its age, the 5300 GT Strada has a heated rear window. And it has a rather large trunk.

Out on the road, Jay Leno says that the V8’s carburetors could use some adjustment, or perhaps new plugs or better fuel. But “the transmission is excellent,” he notes, as is the clutch. And it gets better the faster you go. The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada is built more for high-speed cruising than acceleration, but that’s a good thing in Leno’s book. Plus, it rides comfortably, as befits a luxury GT.

How much does one of these cars cost?

The coach-built Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada comes from the last days of “a romantic era,” Jay Leno muses. And for a ‘60s hand-built Italian car, it was somewhat successful, Hagerty says. However, it’s not exactly common. By the time the company folded in 1969, only about 140 cars had left the factory.

As a result of its rarity and design, the 5300 GT Strada isn’t cheap. A good-condition example typically costs about $795K, Hagerty reports. And well-restored ones can crest the $1,000,000 mark. But because the Strada has a GM powertrain, it’s fairly easy to keep running. So, while it might be automotive royalty, it’s not necessarily high maintenance.

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