Land Rover Defender vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was a vehicle that embraced its rugged aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional looks, the Defender exuded a rugged charm, offering a plethora of customization options to suit individual tastes. In Canada, the base price ranged from $79,050 for the 90 model to $160,720 for the 130 V8, with the luxury tax applied where applicable. The Defender OCTA, available only as a 110, was priced at $198,460. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, was priced at $125,500 and featured black exterior elements, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film and sported 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that prioritized functionality over luxury.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages tailored to different powertrains, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package. The TX's design retained a large grille reminiscent of the older spindle grille shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. The interior offered three colour options: standard grey, Birch, and Peppercorn, with ambient lighting adding warmth. However, the material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling out, were a novel feature, though some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, one of four options, provided robust acceleration and was coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Defender 130 X, with this setup, could tow up to 3,720 kilograms and accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. Despite its prowess off-road, the Defender 130's on-road performance was less inspiring, with its 2,578-kilogram curb weight affecting agility. The vehicle's fuel economy was observed at 14.5 L/100 km, slightly above the expected 13.0 L/100 km.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 featured a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid offered 366 horsepower. The gas model came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had full-time AWD, while the TX 500h employed Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response. The TX 500h also featured adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. While not a sports car, the TX provided a balanced ride, with the hybrid model offering a more engaging driving experience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open and airy feel. However, the side mirrors seemed undersized, and the rear visibility was poor, mitigated by the Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system. The Defender 130's cargo space was limited, with 433 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,520 litres with all rear seats folded. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, though a button allowed the air suspension to lower for easier loading.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. A one-touch button facilitated entry to the third row, though folding the second row flat was more complex. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,747 litres with all seats folded. The liftgate featured an available kick sensor for easy access.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system's response and accuracy had improved, offering a more intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch touchscreen, though some functions lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. The steering wheel buttons controlled various functions but were confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. The TX offered a back-up camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, device connectivity was well-supported.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included several driver aids, such as automatic high beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The lane keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally misinterpreted road markings. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, featuring forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was slow to resume speed. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA and an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side.