2024 Mazda CX-5 vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 retained its familiar design from the second-generation model introduced in 2017, which continued to look modern and appealing. The new Carbon Turbo trim featured Zircon Sand paint and exclusive Terracotta leather seats, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. Mazda also introduced improvements such as better fuel economy for the base engine, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in several trims. The CX-5 lineup offered a range of trims with prices starting at $29,300, plus a destination charge, and the Turbo models ranged from $37,000 to $40,600. The interior upgrades over the years resulted in an upscale feel, making it a compelling choice in the compact crossover segment.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model being the most balanced in appearance. The Defender 130 X trim, priced at $102,525, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and advanced off-roading technology. The test vehicle featured 20-inch wheels and options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack, bringing the MSRP to $106,092. The Gondwana Stone paint and orange brake calipers were less visually appealing, but the interior upgrades to premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric added a touch of luxury. The Defender's industrial-themed cabin emphasized quality materials, offering a purposeful look rather than traditional luxury.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 Carbon Turbo delivered 256 horsepower with premium gas and 227 horsepower with regular gas, offering a rewarding driving experience when driven with a steady acceleration. However, its fuel efficiency was unimpressive, with an observed 22.9 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The CX-5's tall and narrow feel provided excellent outward visibility, making it easy to maneuver. Mazda's suspension improvements and G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced the driving experience, offering a smooth ride and responsive handling. The CX-5 was also capable of light off-roading with its 7.9 inches of ground clearance and could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD system with a low-range setting made it a capable off-roader. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender 130 was primarily driven on pavement, where it handled well but lacked enthusiasm on twisty roads. The observed fuel economy was 16.2 mpg, lower than the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 offered comfortable and supportive heated front seats with six-way power adjustment for the driver. The interior featured leather upholstery on most trims, with premium Nappa leather on the top-tier Turbo Signature. While the CX-5 was smaller in terms of interior space, it provided a comfortable experience for four adults. The rear seat offered good support, and the cabin's design and quality elevated it above most mass-market rivals. The cargo area provided 30 cubic feet of space, expanding to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required some effort to enter and exit, but it rewarded occupants with spacious seating across three rows. The front seats offered 12-way power adjustment with heating and ventilation, providing excellent visibility. The Defender's panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open and airy feel. While storage space was plentiful in the front, it was less accommodating for passengers' belongings in the rear. The third-row seat was heated and comfortable, offering ample space for adults. The side-hinged cargo door and high load floor posed challenges, but the Defender 130 provided 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 featured a non-touchscreen infotainment system with traditional controls for various functions. While Mazda's approach differed from the touchscreen norm, it offered a setting for touchscreen operation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch display was navigated using a large knob and surrounding buttons, providing a straightforward user experience. Mazda Connected Services offered remote engine starting, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The Carbon Turbo trim included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, enhancing the SUV's premium interior.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a configurable digital driver display. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and connected services. While Pivi Pro had previously been unimpressive, it performed well during testing, with accurate voice command responses and an intuitive user experience. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system was also impressive. Additional features included a head-up display, a ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive headlights and Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5 had previously earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, and the NHTSA awarded it five-star ratings, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The lane-keep assist system was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist operated smoothly, with minor issues in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at the time of testing.