2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried a rich legacy dating back to 1948, with its design inspired by the Willys Jeep. Over the decades, the Defender evolved through various iterations, maintaining its distinctive look with round headlamps, a box-shaped cabin, and a tall roofline. The new Defender aimed to echo this classic vibe while incorporating modern elements like half-round LED headlights and a structural-looking grille. The vehicle's short overhangs and functional design elements, such as the spare tire on the tailgate, added to its rugged appeal. Inside, the Defender featured an exposed structure theme, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls, blending toughness with luxury.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for a December 2021 release, came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, available in F Sport and Luxury trims, showcased Lexus's design pillar with a prominent spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The F Sport trim featured a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels, while the interior boasted sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner. The NX's minimalist interior design marked a departure from the previous model's button-laden dashboard, focusing on a cleaner, more streamlined look.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. The Defender also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350h hybrid offered 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, while the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 302 hp and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 had Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, with the F Sport trim adding Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim. The NX's handling was impressive, though it lacked the off-road capabilities of the Defender.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension for enhanced on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space in the Defender 110 was 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row. The three-door Defender 90 had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided more interior room for passengers and cargo, with a new dashboard design creating a cozy feeling. The NX offered comfortable seating, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel available. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. The NX Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, enhancing the interior ambiance.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Defender's Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Defender offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, and a six-speaker audio system, with optional upgrades to 10 or 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 9.8-inch touchscreen display standard and a 14-inch screen optional. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The NX also featured a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and cloud-based services, including User Profiles and digital key capability.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender came with an extensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its capability in harsh conditions.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.