2025 Acura MDX vs. 2025 Land Rover Defender Review

Picture of the 2025 Acura MDX

2025 Acura
MDX

MSRP*: $51,200 to $75,250
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Picture of the 2025 Land Rover Defender

2025 Land Rover
Defender

MSRP*: $56,900 to $167,800
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MPG - City 17 - 19 MPG Info not available
MPG - Hwy 21 - 26 MPG Info not available
Seating Capacity 7 seats 5 - 8 seats
Cargo Space 95.0 ft3 44.6 - 76.1 ft3
Engine
  • 290-hp, 3.5-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 355-hp, 3.0-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 296-hp, 2.0-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 296-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 395-hp, 3.0-liter, Straight 6 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
  • 493-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 518-hp, 5.0-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline Fuel)
  • 626-hp, 4.4-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine (Gasoline/Mild Electric Hybrid)
Transmission Automatic Automatic
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive Four Wheel Drive
Horsepower 290 - 355 hp 296 - 626 hp
Towing Capacity 3,500 - 5,000 lbs 7,716 - 8,201 lbs
Exterior Length 198.4 in 180.5 - 211.7 in
Exterior Width 78.7 in 79.1 in
Leg Room Front 41.6 in
Rear 38.5 in
Front 39.1 in
Rear 36.6 - 38.4 in
Head Room Front 38.5 in
Rear 38.1 in
Front 40.6 in
Rear 40.4 in

*MSRP and Invoice prices displayed are for educational purposes only, do not reflect the actual selling price of a particular vehicle, and do not include applicable gas taxes or destination charges.

Comparison Review

Comfort
Passengers in the backseat will be able to stretch out a lot more in the Land Rover Defender than in the Acura MDX, due to its greater head- and legroom. As far as headroom and legroom go, there's not much difference between front seat comfort in the Acura MDX and the Land Rover Defender.

Cost
There are a lot of factors to consider when calculating the overall cost of a vehicle. The main consideration is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Clearly, the Acura MDX is a better financial choice over the Land Rover Defender, when considering MSRP.

Dimensions
The Acura MDX is about the same width as the Land Rover Defender. When looking at overall length, the Acura MDX takes up about the same amount of space in your garage as the Land Rover Defender.

Handling
The Acura MDX has a smaller turning radius than the Land Rover Defender, allowing you to more easily maneuver in and out of tight spots.

Performance
In terms of towing capacity, the Land Rover Defender is clearly the choice over the Acura MDX for pulling heavy loads. When it comes to horsepower, the Acura MDX has a lot less horsepower than the Land Rover Defender.

Powertrain
The Acura MDX has much lower torque than the Land Rover Defender, which generally means that it won't feel as fast or powerful.

Utility
The Acura MDX offers greater seating capacity than the Land Rover Defender, making it a better choice for those who find themselves chauffeuring others around. With the Acura MDX, you'll be able to haul more equipment or luggage than the Land Rover Defender.