Land Rover Defender 130 vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender 130 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 130 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 130 stands out with Meridian audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus NX. The Lexus NX counters with head-up display, power tailgate and Mark Levinson audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 130 gets leather upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 2-zone in the Lexus NX.

Drivetrain

The Land Rover Defender 130 uses a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 257kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 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 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 179kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender 130 is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Land Rover Defender 130 measures 5,099mm long on a 3,022mm wheelbase, 439mm longer than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,500kg 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 130 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 130) and 5 years / Unlimited (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Land Rover Defender 130), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender 130: more power (257kW against 179kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,000kg against 1,500kg).

The Lexus NX: the lower starting price ($71,700 against $136,000) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 64

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Land Rover Defender 130's 64 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Lexus NX ahead by 29 points), fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 28 points), value (Lexus NX ahead by 28 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