2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a harmonious 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 superior 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 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. Its sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to a sleek, athletic appearance. The interior continued this premium theme with polished metallic trim and Nappa leather, although some materials reflected its price point. Despite its sophisticated look, the CX-90's ergonomics were less intuitive, with a confusing electronic shifter and a non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Nevertheless, the CX-90 stood out among midsize three-row crossover SUVs for its elegance and style.

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, two supercharged 5.0-litre V8 options were available: 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's towing capacity varied, 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 propelled the SUV from zero to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds, showcasing its impressive performance. Off-road capabilities were a highlight, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its prowess.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, offered three powertrain variants: the standard-output 3.3 Turbo, the high-output 3.3 Turbo, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The standard-output models generated 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft (340 hp with premium gas). Power was transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system, with a rear-wheel bias for improved dynamics. The CX-90's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it offered various driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the CX-90's drivetrain refinement was lacking, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behaviour, especially when cold. Noise and impact harshness were also noticeable, detracting from the overall driving experience.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration and body style. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, albeit with limited space. Cargo capacity was generous, with the Defender 130 offering up to 2,155 litres with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 and 90 also provided ample cargo space, making them versatile options for various needs.

In comparison, the 2025 Mazda CX-90's interior featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the three-zone climate control system was slow to cool the cabin, and the front-seat ventilation was less effective. The second-row captain's chairs offered comfort but limited seat-track travel, making it challenging to accommodate rear-facing child seats. The CX-90's third row was best suited for children, and the cargo space was practical, with 451 litres behind the third row and up to 2,129 litres with the second row flattened. Despite its stylish design, the CX-90's interior lacked practicality, with limited storage options.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While the touchscreen seemed small compared to competitors, it was refreshingly simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian persona. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup made the interior a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90's dashboard featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. While the technology was present, it was presented in a traditional manner, with the infotainment screen touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The native Mazda Connect platform required the use of a knob and buttons, which took time to get used to. The voice recognition system was lacking, but the 12-speaker Bose audio system provided a rewarding listening experience. The CX-90 also featured a head-up display with helpful data, although the blind-spot monitoring system was overly cautious.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered an extensive list 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, causing interference during normal driving.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system. The CX-90's driver aids were effective, although the audible warning systems were excessive.