Compare the2024 Land Rover DefenderVS 2024 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Land Rover Defender have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

Both the Defender 110/130 and X3 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Defender has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The X3’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Defender. But it costs extra on the X3.

Both the Defender and X3 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Defender has Rear Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X3’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Defender and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Defender has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Defender P400 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the Defender V8 5.0 supercharged V8 is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

The Defender 90’s standard fuel tank has 6.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23.4 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Defender 110’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23.8 vs. 17.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Defender’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Defender stops much shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Defender has larger standard tires than the X3 (255/70R18 vs. 245/50R19). The Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (285/65R18 vs. 245/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Defender offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X3’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 X3; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the X3 (118.9 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Defender is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The Defender 110 V8 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X3 xDrive30i (27 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Defender 90’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the X3’s (37.1 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Defender 90 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.9 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Defender to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Defender 110 Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 3.5 inches higher than on the X3 (11.5 vs. 8 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Defender 110 SE is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive (78 vs. 80 dB).

The Defender 130 has standard seating for 8 passengers; the X3 can only carry 5. The Defender 90 offers optional seating for 6.

The Defender 110’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3.

The Defender 130’s cargo area provides more volume than the X3.

The Defender’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

The Defender’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (7716 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is only 4400 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 X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Defender has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X3 (1760 vs. 902 lbs.).

The Defender has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1870 vs. 941 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, 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 110 Base)’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Defender has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Defender’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the X3’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 X3 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 X3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Defender has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X3.

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 X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Land Rover Defender comes in two door and four door bodystyles; the BMW X3 isn’t available as a two door.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Defender second among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

Motor Trend selected the Defender as their 2021 Sport Utility of the Year. The X3 has never been chosen.