2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 Lexus GX

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender was a popular choice, outselling the Land Rover Discovery by a significant margin. Despite being similar in size and price, the Defender's boxy design reminiscent of the old LR4 appealed to customers more than the Discovery's Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful accents, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size wheel mounted on the hatch, paid homage to the original 1980s Defender. The Defender was available in three body styles: 90, 110, and 130, offering a range of choices for consumers.

The interior of the Defender was designed with function and durability in mind, featuring rubbers and plastics that resisted moisture and stains. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality was excellent, the Defender's interior lacked the opulence of a Range Rover. The Defender's price, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some, but its strong sales in Canada indicated that many consumers valued its unique design and capabilities.

The 2024 Lexus GX underwent a significant redesign, moving away from the softer, rounded corners of the previous model to embrace a more geometric styling. The new GX featured a less pronounced spindle grille, standard triple-beam LED headlights, and a more aggressive front end. The flat hood rose on the sides, aiding drivers in maintaining positional awareness off-road. The GX's profile was characterized by minimal character lines and a low window beltline, enhancing visibility. Standard running boards and available powered units with the Executive package completed the look.

Lexus offered the GX in a single trim level with five packages: Premium, Overtrail, Luxury, Overtrail+, and Executive. The Luxury models focused on comfort, while the Overtrail packages emphasized off-roading capabilities. The GX's interior blended luxury with utilitarian materials, featuring a large 14-inch touchscreen and physical controls for off-road features. While less luxurious than some competitors, the GX was designed for durability and long-term use.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with its impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. The air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails, although most owners would not fully utilize its capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid inline-six offered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, balancing performance and fuel efficiency. The four-cylinder engine, with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, was less impressive for highway driving.

The 2024 Lexus GX replaced its V8 engine with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The GX's powertrain delivered impressive torque at low revs, making it well-suited for off-road driving. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX offered a stiffer chassis for improved stability. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the standard full-time 4WD system included a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential. The Overtrail packages added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced off-road performance. The GX demonstrated controlled on-road behaviour, with minimal body roll and effective braking.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered optional third rows. The 130 model provided up to eight seats, with features like a separate moonroof, climate zone, and USB ports for rear passengers. The Defender's cargo space varied by model, with the 130 offering 2,180 litres with seats folded. The Defender also featured large glass areas for visibility and a range of available accessories, such as a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Lexus GX's interior was more minimalist and sophisticated than its predecessor, with fewer physical buttons. The GX provided comfortable seating for six-foot-tall adults in the first and second rows, but the third row was best suited for children. The GX offered 292 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,138 litres with it folded. The Overtrail models provided even more cargo space, with 1,291 litres available. The GX's cargo capacity was impressive, making it a strong contender for those needing ample storage.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen and optional 11.4-inch screen offered quick and simple operation, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Standard features included heated front seats, keyless entry, and heated power-folding mirrors. Higher trims added features like air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display. The Defender's technology offerings were robust, catering to both comfort and off-road needs.

The 2024 Lexus GX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen integrated into the dash, with USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad for front-seat passengers. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a voice assistant available through the Drive Connect subscription service. The GX came with a 10-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly, some features required subscription plans after an initial trial period.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It came equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Defender lacked some advanced safety features, such as self-steering highway assist.

The 2024 Lexus GX saw significant improvements in safety, with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 now standard. This included pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and road-sign recognition. The GX's proactive driving assist feature enhanced safety during highway driving. While crash testing results were not yet available, the GX's modern architecture and advanced safety features inspired confidence.