2024 Lexus TX vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander but distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, especially with the Luxury trim's 22-inch silver wheels, enhancing its presence. The styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, appealing to those who preferred a toned-down design. The TX came in three series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with options for FWD or AWD. The interior, though dark, felt luxurious with premium materials, and the panoramic sunroof added a touch of elegance.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, aligning it with other Land Rover models. Its interior was rugged and adventure-ready, similar to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with more refined materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase 130, each offering various trims. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured a County visual package with vintage graphics and white wheels. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system. The Defender's interior was a blend of luxury and practicality, with options for additional features like tri-zone climate control and a power-retractable cloth roof.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in eight seconds with FWD and 7.8 seconds with AWD. The engine's performance was adequate for typical driving, though the engine note and torque steer with FWD were minor irritations. The TX 350 FWD had an EPA rating of 23 mpg combined, but during testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg. The AWD option, costing $1,600, offered better traction and slightly quicker acceleration. The ride and handling were well-balanced, with a firm yet comfortable suspension and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on highways, though the brake pedal felt soft.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, making 296 horsepower. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, P500 and P525, provided up to 518 hp. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time 4WD. The Defender could tow up to 7,716 pounds with the six and eight-cylinder engines. The V8 in the Carpathian Edition accelerated to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2. The P400 model had ample power for highway speeds, though there was some lurching at low speeds.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury featured premium leather and suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat was standard, with optional captain’s chairs. The third-row seat was adult-friendly, unlike previous models, and offered decent cargo space. However, sliding the second-row seat forward for third-row comfort reduced second-row legroom. The TX had numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space was 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality with soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children, while the Defender 130 seated up to eight. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row in the two-row version. The Defender 90 had 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 58.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The cargo area featured practical hard plastic surfaces.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package with a 12.3-inch digital panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the unmarked steering wheel controls and head-up display visibility issues were drawbacks. The Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, offering a three-year Drive Connect subscription with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The straightforward setup included Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The touchscreen's simplicity complemented the Defender's utilitarian design, with home buttons for easy navigation. The interior was a blend of refinement and utility, appealing to those who preferred a less overwhelming tech experience.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist offered braking and steering assistance but was not entirely transparent. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The system was generally smooth and effective, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and a 360-degree parking camera. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were overly sensitive but could be deactivated. As of the writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA.