2023 Mazda CX-5 vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Mazda CX-5, despite its age, remained a strong contender in the compact crossover SUV market. It was known for its stylish design and high-quality materials, giving it the feel of a small luxury SUV. The available turbocharged engine provided impressive power, and it boasted a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, its small back seat, limited cargo space, and frustrating infotainment system were potential drawbacks. Mazda's decision to transition the CX-5 to the CX-50 was a strategic move, similar to Infiniti's rebranding of the G37 to the Q50 and Q60, aiming to ease consumers into the change while maintaining the model's loyal customer base.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic, boxy profile with modern features, such as angular headlights, aligning it with other Land Rover models. Its interior was more rugged and adventure-ready, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with more soft-touch materials. Offered in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender catered to various preferences. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured a County visual package with vintage graphics and white wheels, emphasizing its throwback appeal. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system, with options for premium leather upholstery and additional climate control features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The base 2.5 S model came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. It achieved an EPA rating of 26 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant, with its turbocharged engine, delivered 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas, with a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg. The turbocharged engine's power increase was complemented by structural and suspension improvements, enhancing the CX-5's driving dynamics and making it feel more like an entry-level luxury vehicle. The CX-5 excelled on winding roads, offering a firm, connected ride with responsive steering and brakes.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, offered 493 hp and 450 lb-ft, and 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active 4WD. The Defender's towing capacity reached up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable off-road vehicle. The P400 model provided ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited some lurching at low speeds.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's 2022 updates included improved front seats for better comfort and support. All versions featured a height-adjustable driver's seat, with power adjustments and heated seats available on higher trims. The Signature trim offered luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. However, the CX-5's interior space was limited, with small storage areas, cramped rear seats, and a cargo capacity of 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The infotainment system lacked a conversational voice recognition system, making it less user-friendly compared to competitors.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided more space but still limited third-row seating. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version. The Defender 90 offered 58.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded. The cargo area featured practical hard plastic surfaces for easy cleaning.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system featured a 10.25-inch display with sophisticated graphics but was frustrating to use. It lacked a helpful voice recognition system, and the physical controls on the center console were awkward. The system required memorization and focus, making it distracting. Despite this, Mazda Connect offered features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. Upper trims included a 10-speaker Bose audio system and a surround-view camera system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came 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 persona. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup provided a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2023 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, offering most driver assistance features as standard under the i-Activsense banner. Exclusive features for the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. The i-Activsense tech operated smoothly, with an Active Driving Display showing alerts. The CX-5 received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. However, it lacked a warning for driving without headlights at night, a potential safety issue.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were overly sensitive but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.