2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a study in subtlety and sophistication. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, maintained a low profile, lacking any overt hybrid branding. This understated elegance extended to the RX 500h F Sport Performance, which, despite its Copper paint and aggressive styling, still adhered to the RX's traditional aesthetic. Inside, the RX embraced a minimalist design, with the RX 350h Luxury featuring Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance opted for a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined ruggedness with modernity. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover designs. The interior was durable and adventure-ready, reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with more refined materials. The Defender 110 S, with its County visual package, showcased vintage graphics and white wheels, emphasizing its classic appeal. The cabin was practical, with rubberized floors and grip handles, and offered a blend of luxury and functionality, making it suitable for both urban and off-road environments.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, starting with the RX 350h, which delivered 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. It promised efficiency, with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests averaged 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system enhanced its athleticism, making it a joy to drive.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a variety of powertrains, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300 with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the P500 and P525 supercharged V8 engines delivered 493 hp and 518 hp, respectively. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. The most powerful V8 in the Defender 110 Carpathian Edition accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, showcasing its impressive performance.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort and practicality. The RX 350h Luxury model featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power adjustment and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were housed under the rear seat, providing excellent leg support but compromising rear headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded, a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and utility, with soft-touch materials and practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children, while the Defender 130 accommodated up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity was model-dependent, with the Defender 130 providing 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row in the two-row version, while the Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required subscription services for full functionality. It featured a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system had limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel was a mixed experience, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons on the touchscreen made it user-friendly and efficient.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features, like the curve-speed reduction tech, were less favored. The new front cross-traffic alert system and driver monitoring system had limitations, particularly for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.