2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored its classic truck aesthetic over the Discovery's more conventional look. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail. This design consistency extended to its tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and the body-color square separating the side glass. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a unique choice in the SUV market.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over opulence, with most of the interior coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its lofty price, the interior was basic and barren, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents. The steering wheel was reminiscent of an old Toyota, and the overall build quality and fit were excellent. However, the Defender's price tag, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some, yet it remained the second most popular model in Land Rover's fleet, indicating that many buyers appreciated its unique character.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 marked a significant leap for Mazda, positioning itself closer to luxury brands like Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus. The CX-90's exterior design was an elegant evolution of Mazda's design language, with a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels that commanded attention. The tasteful chrome trim added to its elegance, making it an imposing yet refined SUV. Inside, the CX-90's top-shelf models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits. The interior design was stylish and comfortable, with a range of trims offering different levels of luxury.

The CX-90 was available in 11 different trim levels, spread across three powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option. The top-tier Turbo S model offered a true performance option, with a powerful engine and a luxurious interior. The CX-90's design and material quality set it apart from its competitors, offering a luxury experience at a more accessible price point. The CX-90's interior was praised for its comfortable layout and stylish design, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxury SUV without the high price tag of traditional luxury brands.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with its uncanny grip, incredible wheel articulation, and generous clearance. The air suspension allowed it to tackle almost any terrain, although most owners rarely used its full capabilities. On the road, the Defender's performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided ample power, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. However, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine was less impressive, with 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, making it less suitable for highway driving.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded Turbo S model offered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All CX-90 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 naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV offered an all-electric driving 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 transverse engine layout providing agility and composure through corners.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered exceptional versatility as an everyday SUV, with unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row for seven passengers. The 130 featured a standard third row, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender's large glass areas, including alpine lights and panoramic moonroofs, provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied across models, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row folded, while the 90 and 110 provided 58 and 79 cubic feet, respectively. The Defender's off-road capabilities were complemented by features like a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, heated windshield, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, with lower-level trims seating eight passengers and mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs. The Turbo S model had a two-seat third row, with the base trim seating seven in a 2-3-2 configuration. Cargo space was slightly larger in models with a two-seater third row, offering 75.2 cubic feet in total. The CX-90's interior featured clever storage options, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The middle-row captain's chairs in the Turbo S Premium Plus model included a center console with additional storage. The CX-90's interior was praised for its comfortable seats, lovely materials, and a big panoramic sunroof, providing a comfortable and stylish environment.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro software, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. Both screens were quick and simple to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, connected apps, and navigation as standard features. The Defender S trim included heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim added air suspension, a locking rear differential, and an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 employed Mazda Connect infotainment software, using a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen interface. While the intention was to reduce distractions, the system's quirks and idiosyncrasies often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition to adjust settings automatically. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless functionality in higher-level trims. The rotary controller worked with these systems, but touchscreen controls were available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing a more familiar and user-friendly experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing. It was equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking as standard. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus model featured cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While the CX-90 had not been crash-tested by U.S. safety organizations, it was expected to perform well, given the accolades received by the previous CX-9 model.