2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Acura MDX

The 2023 Land Rover Defender outsold the Land Rover Discovery by more than four to one largely due to its distinctive and rugged design. The Defender’s appeal was rooted in its boxy, classic truck-inspired aesthetics which reminded consumers of the much-loved old LR4 design. This model carried over design elements such as a square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and a sharply chopped tail, defining a robust, utilitarian look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the sides, and the body-color square separating the side glass, also contributed to its traditional charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, providing drivers with numerous options to fit their needs.

The interior of the Defender did not quite align with its luxury price tag, but stayed true to its utilitarian mission of function and durability. It featured rubber and plastic-coated surfaces designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite the optional Windsor leather, exposed screws, and a piece of six-inch-wide metal spanning the dashboard added to the vehicle’s rugged aesthetic. The steering wheel design evoked a classic Toyota feel, making for a basic and barren interior experience. However, the build quality and fit were top-notch. The Defender’s roughly $120,000 price tag for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition seemed high, but given its popularity, not everyone agreed.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX boasted a more subtle and refined exterior design. The fourth generation MDX embodied a balance of sophistication and sportiness, marked by chicane-design LED running lights, taillights, and LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The styling remained muted yet impactful, enhanced by 21-inch wheels and quad exhaust outlets framing a rear diffuser panel.

The MDX Type S variant came with a Sport Appearance package featuring a black headliner, stainless steel pedal covers, and perforated Milano leather with aluminum interior trim. The Advance package added a touch of luxury with open-pore wood and a leather-wrapped dashboard. Despite its generally appealing design, from certain angles, the body tapering at the doors could make it appear as though the MDX had a massive dent. Additionally, the use of gloss black plastic on the dashboard sometimes made it difficult to find controls quickly, and Acura’s electronic transmission switchgear had mixed reviews.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender thrived off-road, exhibiting remarkable grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. With the air suspension raised, it could traverse nearly any trail with ease. However, most owners wouldn’t exploit its off-road capabilities, including the Terrain Response 2 system engineered for various surfaces. On the road, the Defender experienced excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. It also had substantial drivetrain friction, leading to speed loss downhill and an awkward dive onto its front tires while braking. Nevertheless, the Defender’s engine options saved the day. It offered a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 packed a punch with 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, propelling the vehicle with ease, albeit with a lack of engine sound that could be fixed aftermarket. The six-cylinder hybrid engine was efficient and responsive, offering 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Conversely, the four-cylinder engine with its 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque felt underpowered for highway driving.

The 2023 Acura MDX Type S distinguished itself with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, an increase over the standard 3.5-liter V6. Leveraging a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), the MDX Type S provided confident acceleration, particularly when exiting tight corners. Despite the features like Adaptive Air Suspension and driving modes, the MDX’s performance upgrades felt disjointed. The transmission often seemed indecisive, and the suspension transmitted more cabin noise and harshness than expected. The on/off brake pedal response and unremarkable engine power compounded the problem, detracting from its aspirations as a driver’s vehicle. In Normal mode, the MDX was pleasant to drive, but in more spirited driving situations, it struggled to offer a cohesive driving experience. Fuel economy further dampened its appeal with a combined average of 16.9 mpg, well short of the 19 mpg official rating.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender’s significant advantage lay in its versatility. Its seating configurations were unmatched, with the two-door 90 variant offering seating for up to six passengers with a jump seat, while the larger 110 could also be equipped with this feature. The 130 variant provided seating for up to eight passengers with a standard third row. Each row of seats was thoughtfully designed for comfort and visibility, featuring a separate moonroof, air vents, cupholders, USB ports, and armrests for the third-row passengers. The Defender 130 had 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, but only 14 cubic feet with all seats upright. The four-door 110 offered up to 79 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats were down, while the two-door 90 had a maximum of 58 cubic feet.

The 2023 Acura MDX, on the other hand, offered a practical yet comfortable cabin with three rows of seats. The Type S Advance trim featured luxurious 16-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and quilted leather upholstery. However, the seats did not hold the driver in place as firmly as expected. The second-row configuration was flexible, allowing for a removable center section, reclining, and sliding capabilities. However, legroom in the rear position was somewhat limited. The MDX's third row was more suited for children, given the tight space for adults.

The MDX provided ample cargo space, with 18.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 39.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 71.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat. While the cargo area was well-appointed with floor hooks and an underfloor storage bin, the novel design of the center console reduced the potential for additional storage space, which was not an issue in the Defender.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender came equipped with Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system across two touchscreens: a standard 10-inch and an optional 11.4-inch version. Both screens were quick to operate, clear, and highly legible. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and various connected apps. The system also included heated front seats, a proximity key, and power-folding mirrors. Advanced trims offered more luxurious touches like Meridian stereo, air suspension, adaptive cruise control, and ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2023 Acura MDX featured the Digital Precision Cockpit, which includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and another 12.3-inch infotainment display. The absence of a touchscreen necessitated the use of Acura’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) located on the center console, along with a volume knob, radio tuning switch, and padded wrist rest. The TTI took some getting used to and was prone to be a distraction. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a high-end ELS Studio 3D audio system with 25 speakers. Acura added a 10.5-inch head-up display for the Advance package, although some inaccuracies occurred during the evaluation.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The 2023 Land Rover Defender, while not rated by U.S. safety agencies, scored five stars from Euro NCAP, indicating a robust structure. It came with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and a host of optional features like a 360-degree camera system and head-up display. However, there were no front knee or rear side thorax airbags.

The 2023 Acura MDX earned high marks from U.S. safety organizations, including a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star rating from NHTSA. Its Acura Watch suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Advance package added parking sensors and a surround-view camera. Despite the thorough suite of safety features, the MDX did encounter some operational issues, including false lane-departure warnings and a malfunctioning collision warning system during testing.