Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79 wins on money kept: 79% retained after three years vs 60%, worth about R 438 663 at trade-in time.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Defender | Land Cruiser 76/79 | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 1 839 400 | R 849 300 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 32 150/m | R 14 844/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 79% | 90% |
| Retained after 3 years | 60% | 79% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 106 412 | R 667 749 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 732 988 | R 181 551 |
| Value after 5 years | R 817 038 | R 573 405 |
| Our tier | Premium (established) | Legendary retainer |
Land Rover Defender →
The classic Defender was a farm and safari staple in South Africa until 2016, and the monocoque reinvention that arrived in 2020 turned the nameplate into JLR SA's biggest seller. It spans 90, 110 and 130 bodies with diesel, petrol and V8 power. Demand stays strong and it holds value better than any other Land Rover product.
Known for: go-anywhere image and strong demand
Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79 →
The 70 Series has been sold in South Africa in essentially the same form for decades, as the 79 single and double cab bakkie and the 76 wagon and 78 Troop Carrier. Farmers, mines and safari operators buy them for solid axles and total simplicity. Supply is permanently short and used prices sit astonishingly close to new.
Known for: farm and bush workhorse that barely depreciates
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Land Rover Defender or the Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79?
The Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79. It keeps about 79% of its price after three years against 60% for the Land Rover Defender, a gap of 18 points.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Land Rover Defender loses about R 732 988 over three years and the Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79 loses about R 181 551. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Land Rover Defender runs about R 32 150 per month and the Toyota Land Cruiser 76/79 about R 14 844, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.