2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Despite sharing similar size and price points, the Defender's boxy, classic truck design resonated more with consumers who favored its rugged, square-jawed aesthetic over the Discovery's more conventional look. The Defender's design paid homage to its 1980s predecessor with tasteful accents like the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and a full-size spare wheel mounted on the hatch. Available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender offered unparalleled choice and versatility, appealing to those who valued both style and functionality.

Inside, the Defender maintained a focus on function and durability, with an interior that was basic yet unique. Despite its high price tag, the Defender's interior was coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics, with exposed screws and plain air vents contributing to its utilitarian charm. While the build quality was excellent, the interior lacked the opulence of its Range Rover counterparts. The Defender's price, especially for the V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some, yet its popularity remained strong, indicating that many buyers appreciated its distinctive character.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more understated exterior design, with the RX 350h Luxury model looking nearly identical to the standard RX 350. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model, however, distinguished itself with a more aggressive appearance, featuring a blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels. While the RX's design was not considered particularly striking, it was functional, with a wheelbase stretch that improved interior space. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, with a new infotainment system and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury model featured luxurious Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road performance, with its permanent four-wheel drive and Terrain Response 2 system adapting the vehicle to various surfaces. The Defender's turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided impressive power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. However, on-road performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll, wind noise, and slow steering. The Defender's fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder mild hybrid offered a more efficient 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains: the RX 350h and the RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h, with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Despite its power, the RX 500h's fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 350h, however, impressed with its 32 mpg average, offering a balance of performance and efficiency.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was exceptional in terms of seating configurations, offering unmatched flexibility with options for five, six, seven, or eight passengers. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 models offered additional seating and cargo space. The Defender 130 provided 77 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded, while the 110 offered 79 cubic feet. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility and interior ambiance.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, with the RX 350h Luxury model featuring ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but reduced headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems with Pivi Pro software, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation. The Defender S and SE trims added features like heated power seats, a Meridian stereo, and auto-dimming mirrors. The X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with connected services plans, offering features like cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system required setup and activation of trial subscriptions for optimal use. The RX's head-up display and dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel were innovative but had usability issues, particularly for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, praised for its solid structure. It came with 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 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, enhancing safety and convenience. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had usability issues.