TopGear - August 2015 PH

(National Geographic (Little) Kids) #1

Verdict


ere we have true icons,


one a faithful descendant


of its original forebear,


and the other a modern


interpretation of a clas-


sic. Both have very distinctive styling,


and both have impressive off-road


prowess—the Defender relying on sheer


mechanical ability and the FJ Cruiser on


advanced electronics.


That said, they’re as different as men


are from women. The Defender needs


a real man to drive it. You have to be


tough, committed and somewhat bru-


tal to maximize its potential. The FJ


Cruiser is a real doodle to drive, just


like any Toyota. It requires a lower skill


level to get decent off-road progress


compared, and it can be used easily


every day.


Then there’s the price: The Defender


is in the neighborhood of P 3 million,


whereas the FJ Cruiser is in the more


palatable P1.8-million range.


Logically, rationally, the FJ Cruiser


wins. It’s easier to drive, costs less,


and is a Toyota, which makes it a less


alien purchase to the average person.


It’s also special enough, and will be a


future classic because Toyota has yet


to announce its replacement even as


it approaches 10 years of service. The


extensive aftermarket support only


makes it more popular, too. Crucially,


the FJ Cruiser can be a true dual-


purpose vehicle: practical enough for


everyday use, and capable enough to


play on tough trails during weekends.


But the Defender is the moral victor


here. It’s difficult to drive, features


heavy controls, requires serious com-


mitment even on short stints, has a


lousy turning radius despite its much


smaller size, bucks like a bronco, and


is honestly, pitifully slow on paved


surfaces. What’s more, confusing


controls are scattered all over the


interior much like an afterthought. But


drive confidently and get everything


right, and there are few things as sat-


isfying to drive on any surface as this


Land Rover.


h


2.2-liter turbodiesel I 4


direct-injection
2,198
120 hp @ 3,500rpm

360 Nm @ 2,000rpm


6 -speed manual
disc/disc
live beam axle
live beam axle
16 inch alloy
235/85 R 16
3,894/1,790/2,021
2,360
1,812
66.225
60

4.0-liter DOHC V 6
Dual VVT-i
3,956
268 hp @ 5,600rpm
380 Nm @ 4,400rpm
5 -speed automatic
disc/disc
double wishbone
multi-link
17 inch alloy
265/70 R 17
4,670/1,905/1,830
2,690
2,000
134
80

none
yes/no
yes/yes
yes
yes
no
no
no
no
no
no
no
no

yes/yes/yes
4
yes
no
no
no
no

2
yes/no
yes/yes
yes
no
no
yes
no
no
no
no
no
yes

yes/yes/yes
5
yes
yes
yes (rake)
no
no

Land Rover Defender 90
tba

Toyota FJ Cruiser
P1,798,000

They boast of a strong
lineage, but possess their
own unique characters

‘Both have distinctive


styling and impressive


off-road prowess’


LisT pRiCe
AiRbAgs (numbeR)
AiRCon/CLimATe ConTRoL
ALARm/immobiLizeR
Abs
bRAke-FoRCe DisTRibuTion
HiLL-HoLD AssisT
CRuise ConTRoL
ADApTive suspension
FueL-RAnge meTeR
DRive-moDe seLeCToR
FRonT FogLigHTs
LeATHeR
ReveRse CAmeRA
AuxiLiARy JACk/CD/usb
seATing CApACiTy
spARe wHeeL
sTAbiLiTy ConTRoL
sTeeRing-CoLumn ADJusTmenT
sTeeRing-wHeeL-mounTeD ConTRoLs
sunRooF
engine
Type
CApACiTy (CC)
mAximum ouTpuT
mAximum ToRQue
TRAnsmission
bRAkes (FRonT/ReAR)
FRonT suspension
ReAR suspension
wHeeLs
TiRes (FRonT/ReAR)
Dimensions L/w/H (mm)
wHeeLbAse (mm)
CuRb weigHT (kg)
poweR To weigHT RATio (Hp/Ton)
FueL-TAnk CApACiTy (LiTeRs)

SPECS


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