2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and contemporary design elements. Its boxy silhouette was reminiscent of traditional Land Rover models, yet it incorporated modern touches like angular headlights that aligned it with the brand's current lineup. Inside, the Defender's cabin diverged from the typical Land Rover aesthetic, offering a more rugged and adventure-ready feel akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with the added luxury of soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims such as S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, and Outbound.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that, despite its price, did not stand out visually. Its Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers added some flair, but the overall design was unremarkable. The RX had always struggled with aesthetics, and while the current generation was more palatable, it heavily depended on the chosen version and colour/wheel combination. The RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different powertrains and efficiency levels. The RX 500h, with its turbocharged engine and sporty features, was the most performance-oriented of the trio.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the Defender offered two supercharged 5.0-litre V8 options: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in towing, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 3,500 kilograms, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 2,500 kilograms. The most powerful V8 could accelerate the SUV from zero to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds, showcasing its impressive performance capabilities.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three distinct models, each with its own powertrain. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same engine but added a larger battery and more powerful electric motor, resulting in 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h also featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 13.5 L/100 km during testing, higher than the estimated 8.6 L/100 km.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, offering soft-touch materials alongside practical features like grip handles, rubberized floors, and ample cargo compartments. It accommodated between five and eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, increasing seating capacity to eight. However, space was limited, especially in the third row. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 2,155 litres with all rear seats folded, while the Defender 110 provided up to 2,231 litres in its two-row configuration.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's front seats, though heated and ventilated, felt snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the bottom cushions were uncomfortable on long drives. The rear seats, however, were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,308 litres with the second row folded. Interior storage was practical, though the rear centre armrest lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited the Defender's utilitarian nature. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup provided a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was equipped with advanced technology, including digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the dual-function steering wheel controls were distracting and potentially dangerous. The system offered generous subscriptions to connected services, including a three-year Drive Connect plan with a digital voice assistant.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, potentially causing interference.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and Proactive Driving Assist. The RX received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.