2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender's cabin diverged from the luxury-focused interiors of its siblings, offering a more durable and adventure-ready environment reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. The interior featured soft-touch materials, enhancing its appeal without compromising its rugged nature. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—each offering various trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, equipped with the County visual package, showcased its vintage charm with white wheels and retro graphics, appealing to those who appreciated its nostalgic design.

In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 exuded a luxury SUV vibe with its lustrous paint, polished chrome trim, and intricate 21-inch wheels. The sculptural sheet metal created a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, contributing to its low, long, and athletic appearance. Inside, the CX-90's interior was elegantly rendered with polished metallic trim, Nappa leather, and clearly marked switchgear, offering an upscale feel despite some materials reflecting its competitive price. However, the ergonomics were a point of contention, with a confusing electronic shifter and counterintuitive climate controls. Despite these issues, the CX-90 maintained a sophisticated presence compared to other midsize three-row crossover SUVs.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Defender also offered two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, with the latter generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity varied, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds, while the four-cylinder version could tow up to 5,500 pounds. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its performance on rugged terrains.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, introduced a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine in the 3.3 Turbo models, producing 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 3.3 Turbo S variant offered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft, with an increase to 340 hp when using premium gas. Power was channeled through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel-drive system, which favored rear-wheel dynamics for improved handling. The CX-90's maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, and it offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Despite its impressive ride and handling, the CX-90's drivetrain lacked refinement, with unpredictable power delivery and transmission behavior, especially when cold. The vehicle also suffered from noise and impact harshness, detracting from its overall refinement.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender struck a balance between luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. It offered seating for five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration and body style. The Defender 110 had an optional third row, while the Defender 130 provided three seats in the third row, though space was limited. Cargo capacity varied, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with all rear 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 with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90, in 3.3 Turbo Premium Plus trim, featured Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the three-zone climate control system struggled to cool the interior efficiently. The CX-90's interior offered a panoramic sunroof and comfortable second-row captain's chairs, though rear-facing child safety seats could be a snug fit. The third row was best suited for children, and the CX-90's cargo space was limited, with 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 74.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats flattened.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came equipped with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While the touchscreen seemed small compared to competitors, it complemented the Defender's utilitarian persona. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup provided a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. While the infotainment screen was touch-sensitive only when using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, the native Mazda Connect platform required using a knob and buttons on the center console. The CX-90's voice recognition system was hit-and-miss, and the vehicle lacked a conversational digital voice assistant. The test vehicle included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Mazda's Active Driving Display, offering a rewarding listening experience and helpful data.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered an extensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other standard safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist features were overly sensitive, causing interference during driving.

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 was one of only four midsize, three-row, gas-powered SUVs to receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It also earned five-star ratings in all crash tests conducted by the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating. The CX-90 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Higher trim levels added advanced features like steering assist, emergency lane-keeping assist, front cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system.