2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX was available in three versions: the NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and the NX 300h hybrid. This comparison focused on the gasoline models, specifically the performance-oriented F Sport version. The NX carried over Lexus's familial design, featuring sharp lines and a sculpted exterior similar to the smaller UX and larger RX models. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The F Sport variant added a sportier touch with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels.

Inside, the NX F Sport boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for a Circuit Red interior color scheme. The material fit and finish were excellent, typical of Lexus. The gauge cluster featured a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup with a 4.2-inch multi-information display. However, the design seemed outdated compared to newer models like the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The center stack, with its elevated climate-control buttons and rare CD player, also showed its age, limiting open small-item storage between the driver and passenger.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, visually tying it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the Defender's design was thoroughly modern, with rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights. The modern Defender was much larger than the original, offering more interior space and better ergonomics.

The interior design emphasized the Defender's rugged character without seeming cheesy. Land Rover left some bare metal and exposed screws in the door for a different look, along with nice metal trim for the steering wheel. Even the high-end Defender 90 V8 test car had a mix of leather upholstery and suede, which seemed more practical for handling mud and dirt. The Defender's interior was designed to be functional and durable, making it a suitable choice for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The standard six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but lagged behind the smoother transitions offered by eight-, nine-, and ten-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a competitive time for its segment. The ride was relatively quiet, though the powertrain could get noisy under hard acceleration. The F Sport model featured Active Sound Control, which electronically enhanced the engine note through the car's speakers.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on every trim level. The AWD system allowed up to 50 percent of the car's torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had similar numbers but a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph. The adaptive-suspension system, based on the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, though the steering was numb and lacked feedback.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, and a new-for-2022 V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft. The V8 could accelerate the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All Defender models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The V8 model featured an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and effectively blocked noise from the massive 22-inch tires. The Defender's 4WD system, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance made it a capable off-roader. The Defender also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom for two adults in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the Defender 90 test vehicle. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model was challenging, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more flexibility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with the shifter and climate-control knobs placed on a shelf extending from the dashboard, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior cargo solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes that mounted to the side pillars.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system included predictive traffic information, detour preview, ETA calculation, and fuel station guidance. New for 2021, the Navigation package added HomeLink and Lexus Enform Destination Assist, an in-car personal concierge. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the Lexus infotainment system was less user-friendly than competitors, relying on a touchpad for navigation.

Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a moonroof, heated steering wheel, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to lock/unlock doors, start/stop the engine, and adjust climate control remotely. Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and a 10-year subscription was included with purchase.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate menus and a distinctive look, though the screen required a firm touch to respond.

Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading. The side camera views helped supplement the mirrors, and the front view was great for spotting obstacles on the trail.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights.

The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with its front crash-prevention technology rated "Superior" and the LATCH system's ease of use rated "Acceptable." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The IIHS and NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the Defender, which was not unusual for luxury vehicles.