2024 Lexus TX vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, convincingly established itself as a luxury SUV with its upscale appearance. The test model, adorned with Luxury trim, featured striking 22-inch silver wheels, enhancing its presence significantly. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, offering a conservative yet appealing design. Available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid series, the TX's pricing ranged from $55,050 to $69,350, with the TX 550h+ expected to start over $75,000. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and options for FWD or AWD. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, which increased to $67,869 with additional packages. The interior, though dark, felt luxurious with premium materials, meeting the expectations of a Lexus badge.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, particularly the Defender 110 four-door, struck a balance in design, offering a rugged yet customizable appearance. Base prices varied from $58,525 for a Defender 90 to $120,525 for a 130 V8, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and advanced off-roading technology, priced at $106,092. Despite its Gondwana Stone paint clashing with orange brake calipers, the Defender X's interior boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, enhancing its industrial theme. While not a traditional luxury SUV, the Defender's cabin exuded a purposeful look. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, though the test vehicle's 20-inch wheels and Pirellis limited its on-road enthusiasm. The Defender 130's adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable ride, but its weight and steering made it less agile on twisty roads.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism about its suitability for a midsize luxury SUV, the engine performed adequately for typical driving scenarios, accelerating to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD). The TX 350's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg in combined driving, though testing revealed an average of 20.4 mpg. The AWD option, priced at $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction. The TX 350's suspension balanced firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, enabled the Defender 130 X to accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Defender's adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road prowess. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender 130 was primarily driven on pavement, where it handled rutted trails with ease. The Defender 130's ground clearance and approach angles were impressive, though its 20-inch wheels and Pirellis limited its on-road agility. The Defender's six-cylinder engine provided ample power, but its weight and steering made it less suited for spirited driving on twisty roads. The test vehicle's observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, below the expected 19 mpg in combined driving.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs, offering a more spacious and comfortable interior. The TX 350 Luxury featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat, though comfortable, lacked a massage function. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, a significant improvement over the RX L and GX models. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers compromised second-row comfort. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The interior featured numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 provided spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats offering heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position and large windows enhanced visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The test vehicle included a Clearsight digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera system, aiding parking and maneuvering. The Defender 130's panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel. The second-row captain's chairs, heated and ventilated, added comfort, though the cupholders were inconveniently placed. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row accessibility and comfort, with a heated and supportive seat. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but the air suspension could be lowered for easier loading. Cargo space measured 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured the optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system. However, the unmarked dual-purpose steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues detracted from the experience. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a digital assistant and cloud-based navigation through a complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription. The TX also provided 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, along with Wi-Fi Connect and Remote Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and connected services. While Pivi Pro had previously been criticized for its slow response and convoluted interface, the system performed well during testing, with accurate voice command recognition and an intuitive user experience. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system impressed, and the test vehicle included a head-up display, a ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system, enhancing the Defender's practicality.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, offered braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent in operation. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The LSS+ 3.0 system generally performed smoothly, though it occasionally slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in front.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist operated transparently, though the system occasionally struggled to maintain a safe following distance in heavy traffic. The lane-keep assist decisively corrected potential lane departures, though it once attempted to steer the Defender into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at the time of testing.