2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented a compelling case for luxury, rivaling traditional high-end brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda had elevated its design and material quality, surpassing other Japanese automakers such as Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. The CX-90's exterior was a supersized version of the elegant design language seen in smaller Mazda models, featuring a prominent grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels that commanded attention. Inside, the top-tier trims offered an interior that could compete with luxury names, boasting brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. Despite the range of trims, all models benefited from a stylish design and comfortable layout.

In contrast, the 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic, boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, creating a visual link to other Land Rover models. However, its interior leaned more towards durability and adventure-readiness, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with softer materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each offering various trims. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured a County visual package with vintage graphics and white wheels, emphasizing its throwback appeal. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a panoramic glass roof, with options for premium leather upholstery and additional climate control features.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded Turbo S version offered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Turbo S featured three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in behavior between Normal and Sport modes. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered an all-electric range of 26 miles and an estimated 56 MPGe in combined driving. Both CX-90 models excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and a transverse engine layout contributing to its agility.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, provided 493 hp and 518 hp, respectively. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. The P400 model offered ample power for highway speeds, though it exhibited some lurching at low speeds, likely due to off-road gearing.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations, with lower trims seating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo S had a two-seat third row, with the base trim seating seven and higher trims seating six. Cargo space varied slightly, with models featuring a two-seater third row offering 75.2 cubic feet of total cargo space. The CX-90 provided ample storage options, including a large center console and spacious door pockets. Despite not being the most spacious in its segment, the CX-90 offered comfortable seating and high-quality materials.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials and practical features like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity ranged from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 offered an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided more seating but limited space. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. The cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used hard buttons and a rotary control knob instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distractions, the setup proved frustrating for some users. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless connectivity in higher trims.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, suited its utilitarian nature. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The straightforward setup provided a balance of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model added cruising and traffic support. While not yet crash-tested, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the previous CX-9's safety ratings.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were noted to be overly sensitive but could be deactivated.