Acura MDX vs. Land Rover Defender
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura MDX and Land Rover Defender contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Acura MDX and the Land Rover Defender.
In comparing the Acura MDX's and the Land Rover Defender's specifications and ratings, the Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency. The Land Rover Defender has the advantage in the areas of resale value and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Acura MDX's and the Land Rover Defender's specifications and ratings, the Acura MDX is a better car than the Land Rover Defender.
Pricing: A used 2024 Acura MDX ranges from $46,868 to $68,998 while a used 2024 Land Rover Defender is priced between $64,998 to $118,820. For a new model, the Acura MDX's price is between $52,942 and $75,293, with the Land Rover Defender priced between $66,991 and $116,257.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura MDX loses 51.5 percent of its value and the Land Rover Defender loses 49.4 percent of its value. This means the Land Rover Defender retains 2.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura MDX.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura MDX’s base engine makes 290 horsepower, and the Land Rover Defender base engine makes 296 horsepower. The MDX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 481 miles. The Defender is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 491 miles.This gives the Acura MDX the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Land Rover Defender the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Acura MDX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Acura MDX has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
52942 - 75293
Starting MSRP:
50150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
72087
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
48600 - 127200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
66991 - 116257
Starting MSRP:
56400
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
22400 - 79100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
55574
Price Range:
46868 - 68998
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
82938
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
54923 - 133203
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
569
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
19187
# Good or Great Deals:
214
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
84375
Price Range:
64998 - 118820
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
57314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
27806 - 84530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
467
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
13286
# Good or Great Deals:
160
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
26319
Depreciation %:
0.5247977
Resale Value $:
23831
Residual Value %:
0.47520229999999997
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.53434942
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.43252328 - 0.60951201
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
28769
Depreciation %:
0.51009522
Resale Value $:
27631
Residual Value %:
0.48990478000000004
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.50544779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.40388799 - 0.56584885
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.878756 / 10
Reliability:
9.347035 / 10
Retained Value:
7.289235 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Land Rover Defender Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.420474 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura MDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.9 - 12.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.647
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Land Rover Defender
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.808124963022089
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.8 - 41.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3816297393286174
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
3 out of / 25Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 27Ranking
7 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 27Ranking
10 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 68Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
17 out of / 27Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
19 out of / 27Ranking
19 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 27Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 64Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
39 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Land Rover Defender Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 25Ranking
7 out of / 26Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 27Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 29Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD Type S, SH-AWD Type S w/Advance Package, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Tech, w/Tech
Land Rover Defender Trim Levels
110 P300 S, 110 P400 S, 110 P400 X, 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE, 110 V8 P500 SE, 110 V8 P525, 110 V8 P525 Carpathian Edition, 130 P300 S, 130 P400 Outbound, 130 P400 S, 130 P400 X, 130 P400 X-Dynamic SE, 130 V8 P500, 90 P300 S, 90 P400 X-Dynamic SE, 90 V8, 90 V8 Carpathian Edition
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
296 hp @ 4000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 481 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 21 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
421 / 491 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
155.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
59.2 inches
Cargo Space:
10.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4271 lbs
Width:
78.7 inches
Height:
67.1 inches
Length:
198.4 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3870 lbs
Width:
82.9 inches
Height:
77.5 inches
Length:
180.5 inches
Wheelbase:
101.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.9 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/55R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/55R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Brown
Not available
Green
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Santorini Black Metallic
Blue
Tasman Blue Metallic
Gray
Carpathian Grey Metallic / Eiger Grey Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Hakuba Silver Metallic / Silicon Silver Metallic
White
Fuji White
Brown
Gondwana Stone Metallic
Green
Pangea Green Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Brown
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Khaki / Vintage Tan
Black
Ebony
Brown
Acorn
White
Light Oyster
