Land Rover Defender 90 vs Lexus LX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 90 starts from $98,400 before on-road costs, while the Lexus LX opens at $172,900. That makes the Land Rover Defender 90 the more affordable entry point by $74,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $108,240 and $190,190 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 90 by roughly $7,550 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender 90 and Lexus LX hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Lexus LX packs more ADAS features with 8 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 7 in the Land Rover Defender 90.
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 90 and 8 in the Lexus LX.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 90 features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Lexus LX gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 90 stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Lexus LX. The Lexus LX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 90 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 seconds.
The Lexus LX responds with a Petrol making 305kW and 650Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The Lexus LX has the clear power advantage at 305kW vs 183kW. In the real-world sprint, the Lexus LX is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender 90 measures 4,323mm long on a 2,587mm wheelbase, 772mm shorter than the Lexus LX at 5,095mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus LX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90 and 487L in the Lexus LX, giving the Lexus LX a 90L advantage. The Lexus LX seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Lexus LX leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.3m to 12.6m
Based on 11.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 90 and $3,819/year for the Lexus LX. That is a $1,510 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 90.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 90) vs $3,819 (Lexus LX). The Land Rover Defender 90 saves you roughly $1,510 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 90) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus LX). The Land Rover Defender 90 has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus LX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus LX if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Land Rover Defender 90 and Lexus LX trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Land Rover Defender 90 will save you roughly $1,510 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lexus LX has a clear edge. The Land Rover Defender 90 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Land Rover Defender 90 and Lexus LX?
The Land Rover Defender 90 is the cheapest at $98,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus LX by $74,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 90 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 90 and Lexus LX all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus LX has the largest boot at 487L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus LX makes the most power at 305kW. The Lexus LX is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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