Land Rover Defender 90 vs Lexus RX
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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 30 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$98,400RRP
- with the Lexus RX's standard kit: $98,400 (nothing to add; 5 with no data, not charged)
$93,550RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 90 starts from $98,400 before on-road costs, while the Lexus RX opens at $93,550. That makes the Lexus RX the more affordable entry point by $4,850.
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 $102,905 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus RX by roughly $3,850 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender 90 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
Land Rover Defender 90
- REC-006645 · published 2 Jul 2026Driver airbag clock spring connector fretting corrosionYear range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006642 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the connection to the driver’s airbag clock spring may corrode over time and lead to an increased resistance in the airbag circuit.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006638 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the front-end auxiliary drive belt idler pulley may over rotate and cause damage to the oil pressure and temperature sensor.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- 13 more on the model page.
Lexus RX
- REC-006213 · published 13 Dec 2024Due to a manufacturing defect in the Adaptive High Beam System cracks may develop over time resulting in the LED reflector detaching from the reflector motor inside the headlamp assembly.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
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 90 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus RX gets a 14-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 90 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus RX. The Lexus RX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Lexus Premium Sound audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 90 gets leather upholstery while the Lexus RX offers synthetic leather.
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 RX responds with a Hybrid making 184kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The Lexus RX has the clear power advantage at 184kW vs 183kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus RX is 0.1s 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, 567mm shorter than the Lexus RX at 4,890mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus RX generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90 and 612L in the Lexus RX, giving the Lexus RX a 215L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 90 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg 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 11.8m
Based on 11.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 90 and $1,539/year for the Lexus RX. That is a $770 annual difference in favour of the Lexus RX.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 90) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Lexus RX). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus RX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus RX if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Lexus RX: Top CarSorted Score, 78 vs 67
The Lexus RX comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (78 vs 67), taking 5 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: safety (Lexus RX ahead by 29), fuel economy (Lexus RX ahead by 24), reliability (Lexus RX ahead by 15). The Lexus RX will save you roughly $770 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Lexus RX has a clear edge. 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 RX?
The Lexus RX is the cheapest at $93,550 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender 90 by $4,850.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus RX uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Lexus RX holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Land Rover Defender 90, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus RX has the largest boot at 612L with the seats up (1,678L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus RX makes the most power at 184kW. The Lexus RX is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
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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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