2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Acura MDX

$56,900 · Crossover

$51,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Land Rover Defender and the 2026 Acura MDX is their MSRP, with the MDX starting $5,100 lower at $51,800 compared to the Defender's $56,900. Performance metrics show the Defender slightly ahead in output, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque against the MDX's 290 hp and 267 lb-ft. However, efficiency strongly favors the MDX, achieving 22 combined MPG versus the Defender's 19 combined MPG, with its highway rating reaching 26 MPG compared to 21 MPG for the Land Rover. Dimensionally, the MDX is substantially longer at 198.4 inches versus 180.5 inches, yet the Defender has a greater height advantage at 77.5 inches versus 67.9 inches. Despite the MDX’s larger overall footprint, the Defender offers less primary cargo volume at 15.6 cu ft compared to the MDX's 18.1 cu ft, suggesting packaging priorities differ significantly between these two AWD utility vehicles.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Acura MDX

The 2026 Acura MDX offers superior fuel economy with 22 combined MPG versus the Defender's 19 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Acura MDX

The MDX provides greater interior utility with 18.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Defender's 15.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender generates more torque at 295 lb-ft, potentially aiding off-road or towing performance.

💰 Best Value

2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX starts $5,100 lower in MSRP while offering comparable horsepower.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You prioritize vertical presence, as the Defender stands 77.5 inches tall compared to the MDX's 67.9 inches.
You require slightly more output with 295 lb-ft of torque versus the MDX's 267 lb-ft.
All-wheel drive is a baseline requirement, as the Defender uses AWD while the MDX is FWD standard.

Choose the Acura MDX if...

Maximizing fuel stops is critical, given the MDX's superior 22 combined MPG rating.
Budget constraints dictate a starting price below $52,000, as the MDX MSRP is $51,800.
Maximum enclosed storage space is needed, evidenced by the MDX's 18.1 cu ft cargo capacity.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	Acura MDX
Length	180.5"	198.4"
Width	-	78.7"
Height	77.5"	67.9"
Wheelbase	101.9"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	19/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	351.5/481.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	11
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	—
Infotainment Display	—	12.3 in
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	38.5 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	41.6 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	8-way
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	3
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	61.9 in.
Front Hip Room	—	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	38.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Shoulder Room	—	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	57.8 in.
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R19	255/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Acura
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2026 Acura MDX.

Which vehicle is faster in a straight line based on published specifications?

Based purely on the provided specifications, the 2025 Land Rover Defender holds a slight advantage in performance metrics, offering 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Acura MDX trails marginally with 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque.

How significant is the fuel economy difference for annual commuting costs?

The difference is notable; the MDX achieves 22 combined MPG, which is 3 MPG better than the Defender's 19 combined MPG. Over a year of driving, this 15.8% improvement in efficiency can lead to tangible savings, especially since both recommend premium unleaded fuel.

Does the longer wheelbase of the MDX translate to better passenger or cargo room?

While the MDX is significantly longer overall (198.4 inches vs. 180.5 inches), the data shows the MDX offers more utility with 18.1 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Defender’s 15.6 cu ft, suggesting better interior packaging.

Why is the Land Rover Defender so much taller than the Acura MDX?

The Defender exhibits a much taller stance at 77.5 inches in height, aiding ground clearance, whereas the MDX is considerably lower at 67.9 inches. This height disparity reflects the Defender's more rugged, traditional SUV geometry compared to the MDX's lower crossover profile.

Are both vehicles equipped with performance-oriented transmissions?

Both vehicles utilize shiftable automatics, but the MDX employs a 10-speed unit, potentially offering smoother shifts and better efficiency compared to the Defender's 8-speed unit.