Compare the2023 Land Rover DefenderVS 2023 Tesla Model Y

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Defender’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Defender has a standard 3D Surround Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model Y only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Defender’s standard Rear Traffic Monitor uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Rear Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Defender’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model Y doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Defender has standard InControl, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Defender and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

There are over 30 percent more Land Rover dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Defender’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Tesla.

The Defender V8’s 5.0 supercharged V8 produces 63 more horsepower (518 vs. 455) than the Model Y Performance’s optional electric motors.

For better stopping power the Defender V8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Model Y:

For better traction, the Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model Y (285/65R18 vs. 255/35R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Defender offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Model Y’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Defender has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Model Y; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Defender has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Defender flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Defender offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Model Y’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Model Y (118.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Defender is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Model Y.

For better maneuverability, the Defender 90’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (37.1 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Defender 90 has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8.9 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the Defender to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Defender 110 Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 4.9 inches higher than on the Model Y (11.5 vs. 6.6 inches).

The Defender 110’s cargo area provides more volume than the Model Y.

The Defender 130’s cargo area provides more volume than the Model Y.

The Defender’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (7716 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Tesla Model Y is only 3500 pounds. The Defender offers up to a 8201 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the Defender uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Model Y doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Model Y, the Defender (except 110 Base) has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Defender (except Base) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Defender to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Model Y doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Defender has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports rated the Defender’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Model Y’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Defender offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model Y doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Defender’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

The Defender has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Tesla doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Model Y.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Defender’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Model Y doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Defender offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model Y doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Land Rover Defender comes in two door and four door bodystyles; the Tesla Model Y isn’t available as a two door.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Defender third among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Model Y isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Defender as their 2021 Sport Utility of the Year. The Model Y has never been chosen.