2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2024 BMW X5

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 truck aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and abruptly chopped tail, all of which contributed to its rugged and timeless 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 the full-size wheel mounted on the hatch, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of options for buyers seeking versatility and choice.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over luxury, with an interior that featured rubbers and plastics designed to resist moisture and stains. Despite its high price tag, the Defender's interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. However, this simplicity was part of its appeal, as it retained the hardcore character that set it apart from the more opulent Range Rover models. While the Defender's build quality and fit were excellent, its price, especially for the V8 Carpathian Edition, seemed excessive to some. Nevertheless, its popularity remained strong, with around 20,000 units sold annually.

The 2024 BMW X5, last redesigned in 2019, maintained a stylish and modern appearance, though the M Sport treatment was not universally loved. The X5 was available with a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, a turbo-six PHEV powertrain, and a turbocharged V8 engine. The xDrive50e PHEV model, in particular, offered impressive performance with 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. The X5's interior was modernized with the addition of the BMW Curved Display, which combined a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The reduction in physical switchgear and the introduction of new transmission controls further enhanced the cabin's contemporary feel.

The X5's driving experience was enjoyable, with excellent acceleration, grip, and steering response. The adaptive damping air suspension effectively masked the vehicle's weight, providing a comfortable ride even on challenging roads. The PHEV model excelled in efficiency, offering 38 miles of electric-only driving and achieving an average fuel economy of 38.8 mpg during testing. However, the Intelligent Personal Assistant's performance was disappointing, with issues in voice recognition and navigation. Despite this, the X5's overall technology package, including the head-up display and augmented video function, was impressive.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road performance, showcasing its uncanny grip, wheel articulation, and generous clearance. With the air suspension raised, it could tackle almost any path, although most owners would not fully utilize its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The V8 engine, with 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, provided exhilarating acceleration, but the vehicle's top-heavy nature made it a mildly frightening setup. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, delivering a seamless driving experience. However, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, was less satisfying for highway driving. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 returning 14/19/16 mpg, while the six-cylinder achieved 18/23/20 mpg.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e PHEV featured a new, more powerful electric motor and a larger lithium-ion battery pack, offering 38 miles of electric-only driving. The PHEV's combined power output of 483 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque allowed it to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The X5's adaptive damping air suspension effectively masked its weight, providing a comfortable ride. The PHEV model excelled in efficiency, achieving an average fuel economy of 38.8 mpg during testing. The X5's driving experience was enjoyable, with excellent acceleration, grip, and steering response. However, the Intelligent Personal Assistant's performance was disappointing, with issues in voice recognition and navigation.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility with its seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers in the 130 model. The Defender 90 could seat six with the optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row. The 130's third row was standard and wider, providing additional comfort for passengers. The Defender's cargo space varied, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row and second row folded. The 90 provided 16 cubic feet, while the 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row. The Defender's large glass areas and optional panoramic moonroof enhanced visibility and comfort. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 BMW X5 xDrive50e offered a spacious interior with room for five passengers and a 33.1 cubic-foot cargo area that expanded to 71.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The X5's split liftgate design provided a convenient seating area but required stretching to reach items deep in the cargo hold. The X5's interior featured standard Sensafin artificial leather upholstery, with optional 20-way power-adjustable multi-contour front seats offering heating and ventilation. The Climate Comfort Package added four-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The available panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, providing a great view and a full shade when needed. However, the X5 no longer offered an optional third-row seat, requiring buyers to consider the BMW X7 for that feature.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro, Land Rover's latest software. The standard 10-inch screen was wide and integrated into the dashboard, while the optional 11.4-inch screen offered greater legibility. Both screens were quick and easy to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation as standard features. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system. A cabin air purifier and configurable ambient lighting were also available.

The 2024 BMW X5 featured the BMW Curved Display, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system ran BMW Operating System 8.5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and over-the-air software updates. The Intelligent Personal Assistant, however, struggled with voice recognition and navigation tasks. The available head-up display effectively conveyed data to the driver, and the augmented video function for navigation was a useful addition. Despite the Intelligent Personal Assistant's shortcomings, the X5's overall technology package was impressive.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP for its solid structure. It was equipped with six airbags, though the absence of front knee airbags and rear side thorax airbags was noted. Standard safety features included lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 BMW X5 added the Highway Assistant hands-free driving assistance system, which required deliberate activation. The system worked well in dense or light traffic but could behave unpredictably in moderate traffic. The X5's driver aids operated subtly, encouraging their use. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the X5 high ratings, though lower headlight ratings prevented it from earning an IIHS safety award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the X5 a four-star overall crash-test rating.