2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile was reminiscent of older models, yet it incorporated angular headlights that tied it to the contemporary Land Rover lineup. Inside, the Defender felt robust and adventure-ready, with an interior that leaned more towards durability than luxury, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. Despite this ruggedness, it offered soft-touch materials, creating a balance between comfort and functionality. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims like the S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. The Defender 110 S, which we tested, came with the County visual package, featuring white wheels and vintage graphics, adding a nostalgic touch to its modern capabilities.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester focused on practicality and capability, with a design that had been smoothed out for a more generic appearance. The Forester's exterior updates included standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with steering-responsive LED headlights that created an "integrated shield effect." The Forester Sport, which we tested, featured bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, offering a mature aesthetic. The interior maintained the Forester's spaciousness, with a large greenhouse shape and geometric wheel arches. The cabin was equipped with StarTex material in the Sport trim, providing easy cleaning and a cohesive look with the exterior accents. The Forester's interior updates gave it a more intentional design, with structural dash elements that felt substantial and well-crafted.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, with the latter producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable choice for rugged terrains.

The 2025 Subaru Forester, while not as powerful, offered a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine across all trims, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with Subaru's Lineartonic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. The Forester's X-Mode system, standard from the Premium trim, enhanced stability and traction on challenging surfaces. The Forester Sport's performance was stable and confident on various terrains, including snow and mud, thanks to its AWD system. The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with slight variations for Sport and Touring trims. A hybrid version was anticipated, promising improved efficiency.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a versatile interior with a blend of luxury and practicality. It featured soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and ample cargo compartments. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, while the Defender 130 offered more space but was still limited for adult passengers. Cargo capacity differed by model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded, and the Defender 110 offering up to 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row version. The Defender 90, with its two-door design, offered up to 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, powered on the Sport trim and foot-activated on Limited. The Forester's cargo space increased slightly, with 29.6 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 74.4 cubic feet with them folded. The cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks, enhancing its practicality. The Forester's roomy second row contributed to its competitive interior space, though it fell slightly short compared to some rivals like the Toyota RAV4. The Forester's interior included a dark headliner, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat on the Premium trim, and additional power adjustments and features on higher trims.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, offered a straightforward and utilitarian interface. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The layout was user-friendly, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model retained two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. Higher trims included dual USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Touring trim added a voice-activated navigation system, an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and Subaru's Starlink connected services with new features like Valet Mode and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

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, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted to be overly sensitive.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured Subaru's EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technology, with enhancements for 2025, including a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. The Touring trim offered additional safety features like Emergency Stop Assist, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester's safety features were designed to provide peace of mind for families, with a rear seat reminder system and improved pedestrian and cyclist detection.