Land Rover Defender vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was a vehicle that balanced rugged appeal with a touch of customization. The Defender 110 four-door model was considered the sweet spot in terms of design, offering a more balanced look compared to the stubby 90 and the visually heavy 130. Buyers had a plethora of options to personalize their Defenders, from base prices starting at $58,525 for a 90 to $120,525 for a 130 V8, with the exclusive Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, came with a price tag of $106,092, featuring the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. Despite its rugged charm, the Gondwana Stone paint and orange brake calipers were not the most visually appealing combination, and the 20-inch wheels seemed delicate. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that emphasized quality materials without veering into traditional luxury.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of trim levels, with the TX 350 available in Base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport Handling specs, while the 500h hybrid came in F Sport Performance Premium and Luxury trims. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid was exclusive to the top Luxury trim. The 550h+ featured a standard panoramic glass roof and the striking Matador Red Mica paint. Most models sported 20-inch wheels, but the 550h+ stood out with 22-inch wheels. The TX retained a large grille with sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. Inside, the TX provided a spacious third row with recline function and ample headroom, while the second row offered captain’s chairs with a removable center console. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX excelled in cargo space, offering 20.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the interior materials fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics scattered throughout.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's performance was marked by its turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it provided robust acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Its adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes made it a formidable off-roader. The Defender's off-road capability often exceeded the skill level of its drivers, with features like electronic active differential and wade-sensing technology. On-road, the Defender 130 cruised comfortably but was less agile on twisty roads due to its 5,685-pound curb weight and fluid steering. The test vehicle's fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg compared to the 19 mpg on the window sticker.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid generated 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. It offered multiple drive options, including electric-only, hybrid, and gas-only modes, with Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom drive modes. The TX 550h+ provided a quiet and smooth ride, with a suspension that absorbed bumps and potholes effortlessly. The AWD system could distribute power between the front and rear wheels, with a Trail Mode for slippery surfaces. The TX excelled in providing a comfortable ride, making it ideal for long road trips. However, the Sport mode was not aggressive, and the TX 550h+ was not designed for sporty handling.

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. The Defender's interior was practical, with a useful dashboard shelf and a heated second-row bench seat. The third row was accessible and comfortable, even for adults. However, the side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, and the cargo space was limited to 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control and heated and cooled front seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and USB-C ports. The second row had captain’s chairs with a removable center console, but folding the seats flat was complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX excelled in cargo space, offering 20.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. The interior had a large bin in front of the gearshift and a narrow but deep center console, though the dual-opening lid limited access.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was more intuitive and responsive than previous iterations, with accurate voice command recognition. The Defender also had a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system. The Meridian premium sound system impressed, and the optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was easy to use but lacked some features, like manual satellite radio input. The steering wheel buttons were multi-functional but confusing. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occurred. The TX offered a back-up camera with a bird’s-eye view and an Advanced Park system. The rear-camera mirror provided an unobstructed view, and the TX had seven USB ports and wireless charging.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, 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 2026 Lexus TX featured Safety System+ 3.0, including forward collision warning, Lane Tracing Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, though it was slow to accelerate in stop-and-go traffic. The TX 350 and TX 500h earned five-star ratings from NHTSA, while the TX received mixed ratings from IIHS.