2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. Its conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The best view was from the rear quarter, where the design resembled a more upscale appearance with Volvo-adjacent taillights.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender had a rugged appeal, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. The base prices ranged significantly, with the Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, came with a price of $106,092, including destination. It featured Gondwana Stone paint, which clashed with the orange brake calipers and delicate-looking wheels. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, offering a more industrial theme. Despite its purposeful look, the Defender was not a traditional luxury SUV, but it provided a unique and rugged charm.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 37 mpg for the CR-V Sport Touring, but our test vehicle achieved only 32.4 mpg on a mountainous testing loop. The CR-V offered a quiet ride with predictable handling, though the steering required unusually heavy effort. While it was easy to drive and provided hints of fun, it wasn't designed for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Its adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced off-road capability, while the Defender's 11.4 inches of ground clearance and impressive approach and departure angles made it a formidable off-roader. However, on-road performance was less thrilling, with a heavy curb weight and slow steering detracting from the driving experience. The observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and comfort. The CR-V's cargo area ranged from 34.7 to 36.3 cubic feet, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite a smaller glove compartment and missing seatback pocket, the CR-V provided ample storage.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position provided excellent visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open and airy feel. While storage space was plentiful in the front, the Defender was less accommodating for rear passengers' belongings. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but the Defender offered 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a Bose premium audio system, were reserved for the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims. The voice recognition system was basic, and the CR-V featured a walk-away automatic locking feature for added convenience.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a configurable digital driver display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Pivi Pro system impressed with its accuracy and intuitive user experience, though voice command response was slower than preferred. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The CR-V performed well in safety tests, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a range of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at the time of writing.