2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored its classic Land Rover aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that defined its classic truck look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and body-color square separating the side glass, added to its 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, offering a range of choices for consumers.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with an interior that was basic yet unique. Despite its high price, the interior was coated in rubbers and plastics designed to resist stains and wick moisture, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. The steering wheel was reminiscent of an old Toyota, and the overall design was refreshingly simple compared to the more opulent Range Rover models. However, the Defender's price tag, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some, though its popularity suggested that many buyers appreciated its rugged charm.

The 2023 Honda HR-V underwent a significant styling update, shedding some of the quirky charm of its predecessor for a more sophisticated and modern look. The lowered beltline and simplified detailing contributed to a sleeker appearance, with cleaner lines and fewer interruptions. The example tested was in a dusky, oceanic gray-green called Nordic Forest Pearl, one of two new colors. The HR-V's design updates included 17-inch silver alloy wheels as standard, with EX-L models featuring Shark Gray wheels and the Sport trim boasting 18-inch black alloy wheels. The Sport trim also included a black rear spoiler, chrome exhaust, and a more aggressive grille.

Inside, the HR-V offered a comfortable and refined cabin, with new seats covered in black or gray cloth by default. The Sport trim added black seats with orange contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats. The EX-L trim, which was tested, featured perforated leather seats with additional shoulder support, dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power driver's seat. The interior followed the trend of refinement set by the 2022 Civic, with a metal honeycomb grille hiding the vents and touch-sensitive reading and map lights. The center console's sculptural shape added to the thoughtful design, and the quality of materials belied the HR-V's entry-level status.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its air suspension allowed it to tackle challenging trails with ease, though most owners likely didn't utilize its full capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with friction in the drivetrain, body drag, and excessive body roll. The steering was slow, and wind noise was noticeable. However, its turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the four-cylinder engine was less powerful at 296 hp and 295 lb-ft. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, the six-cylinder 18/23/20, and the four-cylinder 17/20/18.

The 2023 Honda HR-V featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous model. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) included a Step-Shift function to mimic traditional automatic transmission sounds. Drivers could choose from Normal, Snow, or ECON drive modes, with Sport mode available for more spirited driving. The HR-V was available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and its new front and independent rear suspensions contributed to a surprisingly fun driving experience. However, it was not overpowered, and competitors offered more powertrain options. The HR-V's fuel efficiency and driving dynamics made it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The 130 provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded, while the 90 offered 16 cubic feet and the 110 34 cubic feet behind the second row. The Defender's large glass and panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility, and buyers could equip their vehicles with various off-road accessories.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, offered a well-thought-out interior with a center console featuring a shelf for drive mode controls and USB ports. The HR-V's fastback design sacrificed minimal rear-seat headroom, with cargo space measuring 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 with them folded. The HR-V's passenger volume was 98.7 cubic feet for LX and Sport trims and 97.3 for EX-L. The rear seats offered a higher seating position and created a nearly flat floor when folded. The HR-V's interior was comfortable and practical, with thoughtful design elements.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen was integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered greater legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to use, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation as standard. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Honda HR-V's infotainment system featured a tablet-style touchscreen with physical knobs for power and volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, with wireless versions available on EX-L. The HR-V included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and a 7-inch color touchscreen display, with EX-L offering a 9-inch display and a wireless charging pad. The HR-V's infotainment system was user-friendly, with Smart Shortcuts and programmable features.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. It included six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Honda HR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. New features for 2023 included traffic-sign recognition and traffic jam assist. The HR-V had not been crash-tested for 2023, but the 2022 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA.