2025 Lexus GX vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Land Rover Defender presented a rugged and customizable aesthetic, with the Defender 110 four-door model striking a balance in design. Despite its somewhat unconventional appearance, the Defender's appeal lay in its robust and adventurous look, with a wide range of customization options available to buyers. The base price for the Defender ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials, bringing the MSRP to $106,092. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film, and its color clashed with the orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X boasted premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with an industrial-themed cabin that emphasized quality materials and a purposeful design.

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a complete redesign, showcasing a striking new look reminiscent of classic Land Rover models. Its boxy shape, LED headlights, and well-proportioned grille contributed to its bold appearance. The GX 550 Overtrail+ test vehicle featured 33-inch tires on matte grey 18-inch wheels, rock rails, and a fitting Earth color. Inside, the GX offered a clean and elegant design with quality switchgear and chic dashboard layout. The front and rear seats provided ample headroom, and the head-up display was easily adjustable. The seats, upholstered in NuLuxe faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. Overall visibility was excellent, thanks to tall windows and elevated ride height, making the GX a luxurious and practical choice.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender's test vehicle was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a mild-hybrid system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered 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 enhanced off-road capability. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender was primarily driven on pavement, where it handled suburban environments with ease. The 130's ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles were impressive, though the 110 model offered better departure angles. The Defender's ride was smooth, but its 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility. Fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. With a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, it accelerated from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. The GX's performance was notably faster than its predecessor, and its highway merges were effortless. However, fuel economy was a downside, with an EPA-rated 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. The GX excelled in around-town driving, with quick acceleration and a chassis that felt more athletic than expected. Its off-road capabilities were impressive, with easy access to low gear range and a variety of off-road driving modes. The GX's downhill assist control was smoother than previous models, and its overall performance made it a top contender for midsize luxury SUVs.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered spacious seating across three rows, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof and large windows created an open and airy feel. However, the Defender's side mirrors were undersized, and rear visibility was limited. The Defender 130's cargo space was limited behind the third row, but folding the seats expanded the cargo area significantly. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, though a button allowed for lowering the air suspension to ease loading.

The 2025 Lexus GX provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers. The GX's cargo space was a standout feature, with up to 90.5 cubic feet available in the Overtrail trim. Its towing capacity of 9,063 pounds added to its versatility. Despite its size, the GX was easy to maneuver and park, making it a practical choice for urban environments.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's response and accuracy had improved, providing a more intuitive user experience. The Defender also included a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and ease of parking. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2025 Lexus GX boasted a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system provided good sound quality, though it required higher volume at highway speeds. The GX offered multiple USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, with ample storage space in the armrest.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a range of driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, road sign assist, and pedestrian detection. The 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras aided visibility. The GX had not been rated by safety organizations, but it included 10 airbags for occupant protection.