Land Rover Defender 110 vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Land Rover Defender 110 at 5 stars (2020) and the Lexus NX at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2020 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Land Rover Defender 110 and 91% for the Lexus NX, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 8 in the Lexus NX.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Land Rover Defender 110 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus NX gets a 9.8-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Land Rover Defender 110 stands out with ventilated seats — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus NX. The Lexus NX counters with head-up display, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 110 gets leather upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 2-zone in the Lexus NX.

Drivetrain

The Land Rover Defender 110 uses a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 183kW and 570Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.

The Lexus NX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender 110 has the clear power advantage at 183kW vs 179kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus NX is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Land Rover Defender 110 measures 4,758mm long on a 3,022mm wheelbase, 98mm longer than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 110 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 110 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Lexus NX's turning circle is 1.4 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Land Rover Defender 110 costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Lexus NX about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $884 a year less for the Lexus NX.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 110) and 5 years / Unlimited (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Land Rover Defender 110), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender 110: more power (183kW against 179kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,500kg).

The Lexus NX: the lower starting price ($71,700 against $100,900) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 70

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Land Rover Defender 110's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 28 points), value (Lexus NX ahead by 17 points), reliability (Lexus NX ahead by 15 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $884 less (5 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions