2024 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 was a more rugged alternative to the CX-5, boasting a design that was both broader and longer, with a lower stance. Its square wheel arches and faux air vents gave it a robust appearance, while the interior impressed with its quality materials and minimal use of piano black plastic. Despite its upscale aspirations, the CX-50 still had some reminders of Mazda's traditional market position, such as manually-adjustable front seats in base models. The Meridian Edition, with its all-terrain tires and earthy color palette, further emphasized the active-lifestyle image Mazda aimed for, though it lacked enhancements for off-road capability.

In contrast, the 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a rugged yet customizable design, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in its proportions. The Defender X trim, tested in the 130 variant, featured premium materials and comprehensive off-roading technology. Despite its substantial size, the Defender maintained an industrial theme inside, with quality materials and a purposeful design. The interior was spacious, with three rows of seating and a panoramic sunroof that enhanced the open feel. However, the side-hinged cargo door and high load floor posed challenges for loading cargo.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with turbocharged options on higher trims. The base engine delivered 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo variant offered up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft on premium fuel. All models came with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with various driving modes. The CX-50's handling was more aligned with its segment peers than the sportier CX-5, and the Meridian Edition's all-terrain tires added noise without enhancing grip.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive with a low-range setting supported its off-road prowess. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds. Its adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 driving modes ensured a smooth ride both on and off-road, though its substantial weight and 20-inch wheels limited its agility on twisty roads.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 offered similar passenger space to the CX-5, with slightly less headroom but more legroom. It provided 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded. While it trailed competitors in cargo space, the available power liftgate improved access. The interior layout was sensible, with adequate storage and a substantial shifter and rotary infotainment controller on the center console.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required some effort to enter and exit, but rewarded with spacious seating across three rows. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with excellent visibility. The Defender's interior felt open and airy, thanks to a panoramic sunroof and large windows. While storage was plentiful in the front, it was less accommodating further back. The side-hinged cargo door and high load floor posed challenges, but the air suspension could be lowered to ease loading. Cargo space was limited with all seats up, but expanded significantly with the third row folded.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 came with a 10.25-inch infotainment screen controlled by a rotary controller, offering wireless Apple CarPlay but requiring a cable for Android Auto. Higher trims added features like wireless phone charging and a Bose audio system. While the system felt dated, it was straightforward for those who preferred simplicity over excessive tech.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system on an 11.4-inch touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and connected services. The system had improved in responsiveness and user experience, with accurate voice command recognition. The Defender also included a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking.

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, with additional options available. NHTSA ratings were incomplete at the time of publication.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came with a range of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The system operated smoothly, though it occasionally struggled in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, as low-volume models like the Defender typically aren't tested by NHTSA or IIHS.