2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Acura MDX presented a blend of luxury and subtlety, especially in its Type S Ultra trim. It featured chicane-design LED lights, a panoramic moonroof, and 21-inch wheels, giving it a refined stance. Inside, the MDX boasted quilted leather, aluminum trim, and a Sport Appearance package. However, some design choices, like the gloss black plastic on the dashboard, made controls difficult to use. Despite its attractive appearance, certain angles made the body appear dented, and the electronic transmission switchgear was confusing.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern touches like angular headlights. Its interior was rugged yet luxurious, with soft-touch materials and practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors. The Defender offered three body styles, each with various trims, and was designed for adventure. The cabin felt durable, akin to a Jeep Wrangler, but with more refinement. The Defender's utilitarian design was complemented by its straightforward controls, though the multifunctional climate dials were slightly cumbersome.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Despite these figures, the performance enhancements didn't create a cohesive driving experience. The MDX Type S struggled with transmission indecisiveness, poor brake modulation, and excessive fuel consumption, averaging 13.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, offered some improvement, but the vehicle's dynamic components didn't work harmoniously, making it less predictable and enjoyable to drive.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered multiple powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder and a mild-hybrid inline-six. Our P400 test model delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for highway driving. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. The most powerful V8 variant accelerated from zero to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Despite a slight lurch at low speeds, the Defender's on-road ride was pleasant, with minimal body roll.

The 2023 Acura MDX offered three rows of seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The interior featured a triple-zone climate control system and 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions. However, the seats didn't provide the expected support for spirited driving. The cargo area was spacious, with 461 litres behind the third row and up to 2,021 litres with seats folded. Despite its practicality, the MDX's interior design prioritized style over storage space.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and practicality, with seating for five to eight passengers depending on the model. The Defender 130 offered the most cargo space, with 433 litres behind the third row and up to 2,155 litres with seats folded. The Defender 110 and 90 provided varying capacities, with practical features like hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning. The interior was versatile, though the third row was best suited for children.

The 2023 Acura MDX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and infotainment display. However, the lack of a touchscreen and reliance on a True Touchpad Interface (TTI) was a drawback. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa Built-In. The top-tier ELS Studio 3D audio system delivered excellent sound quality. A 10.5-inch head-up display was available, though the traffic sign recognition system occasionally misread signs.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The touchscreen was simple and complemented the Defender's utilitarian design. Home buttons facilitated easy navigation, making the system user-friendly.

The 2023 Acura MDX included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. However, the lane-departure system was overly sensitive, and the adaptive cruise control was slow to resume speed.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered extensive safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were overly sensitive but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.