As much as I love that Defender, I have to vote Cruiser. Reasons, cost of repair and over all dependability. The Defender pictured appears older. The issues they have, could be easily field repaired. I also wouldn't be surprised if that particular one sold today for around 80 grand. The Cruiser is also older, doesn't have the reliability issues and would sell today for 20 (ish). I'm basing Cruiser cost on how much I have invested as well as a few future items.
Several years ago I read an article about a group of journalists, taking a few new Rovers up some old forgotten route in Africa. Rover sponsored it and outfitted them. It was a good read, full of adventure. The group had to keep deviating because the Rovers kept having issues. Bottom line, they finished the route, everyone had fun and they focused more on the trip and less on the Rovers.
Next year, Toyota sponsored the same trip with a group of new Cruisers. I'm guessing they didn't have as much fun because they only had a flat. Later they took the same vehicle's across Siberia. You guessed it, they had a flat.
All in all it could have been worse. The vehicle's could have mysteriously caught fire and burned down to a pile of slag with the manufacture claiming no responsibility.
U-Tube
I actually like the JK and if I had waited on building my TJ (can you say Death Wobble), I would own one. Its a good thing Jeep was bought out by Fiat. I'm sure they will raise over all dependability up to their spot on the above chart. At least for now they fixed the burning thing.
Scott