2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged yet customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance between the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Despite its unconventional looks, the Defender's appeal lay in its robust design and extensive customization options. The base price ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 X, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and off-roading technology, priced at $106,092. The Gondwana Stone paint, paired with orange brake calipers and 20-inch wheels, was less appealing than other color options like Pangea Green or Santorini Black. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that emphasized quality materials over luxury.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its capability with Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard AWD, the Pathfinder handled the challenging terrain with ease. Redesigned for 2022, the Pathfinder's fifth generation featured an assertive front end and protective cladding, with the Rock Creek trim adding a V-Motion grille and stacked LED lighting. A metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch emphasized its adventurous nature. Despite its unibody crossover design, the Pathfinder offered a comfortable interior with leatherette-and-cloth upholstery and bright orange "Rock Creek" logos. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row, even with a car seat in place.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, paired with a mild-hybrid system, delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD system with a low-range setting provided robust off-road capability. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. Its 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 offered a comfortable ride but lacked enthusiasm on twisty roads. The 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires contributed to a smooth ride but limited its handling on mountain roads. The Defender's fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder featured a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, with the Rock Creek trim offering 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts and a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds for the Platinum and Rock Creek trims. The Pathfinder's soft suspension offered a comfortable ride on bumpy roads but felt floaty on twisty roads. The Rock Creek trim was best suited for light off-roading, with its all-terrain tires impacting fuel efficiency. The Pathfinder's fuel economy was slightly better than competitors, with 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. Seven drive modes and hill-descent control enhanced its traction management, with snow mode proving effective in snowy conditions.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open and airy feel, while the Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved visibility. The Defender's cargo space was limited, with 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but a button in the cargo area allowed for easier loading by lowering the air suspension.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder provided ample interior space, accommodating four adults and their gear during a ski trip. With 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet with all seats folded, the Pathfinder offered practical storage solutions. The Rock Creek trim featured captain's chairs and a removable center console in the second row, with the EZ Flex Seating System allowing easy access to the third row. Three-zone climate control and comfortable seating added to the Pathfinder's appeal, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat in the Rock Creek trim.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. The system's improved response and accuracy impressed, with intuitive user experience and easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and parking ease. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in SL and Platinum trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless projection available only for Apple devices on the larger screen. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. Voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with navigation limited to SL and Platinum trims. The Pathfinder's tech offerings felt dated compared to rivals.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a suite of 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 lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at press time.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base S trim, with traffic sign recognition available on SL and Platinum trims.