Compare the2025 Land Rover DefenderVS 2024 BMW X3

Safety
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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.

Engine

The Defender has more powerful engines than the X3:

	Horsepower	Torque
Defender P300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	296 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Defender P400 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid	395 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
Defender P500 5.0 supercharged V8	493 HP	450 lbs.-ft.
Defender P525 5.0 supercharged V8	518 HP	461 lbs.-ft.
Defender OCTA 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid	626 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	248 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
X3 M40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	382 HP	369 lbs.-ft.

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:

	Defender	X3
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.7 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.3 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	92 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Defender P525 5.0 supercharged V8 is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Defender	X3
Zero to 60 MPH	4.6 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.1 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	107.7 MPH	91.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Defender has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23.8 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Defender	Defender V8	X3	X3 M40i
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	14.9 inches	13 inches	13.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	13 inches	13.5 inches

The Defender stops shorter than the X3:

	Defender	X3
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Defender has larger standard tires than the X3 (255/65R19 vs. 245/50R19). The Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (275/45R22 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the X3 (119 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Defender is 4.5 inches wider in the front and 3.8 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 1.4 feet tighter than the X3’s (38 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 OCTA’s minimum ground clearance is 4.7 inches higher than on the X3 (12.7 vs. 8 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Defender 130 Outbound is quieter than the X3 M40i xDrive:

	Defender	X3
At idle	40 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	78 dB	80 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Defender	X3
Third Seat Folded	34.6 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	34 cubic feet	28.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	78.8 cubic feet	62.7 cubic feet

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

	Defender	X3
Third Seat Folded	43.7 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	28.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	89 cubic feet	62.7 cubic feet

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

	Defender 90	Defender 130	X3
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	15.6”/51.7”	15.7”/47.2”/81.6”	36.5”/69”
Max Width	46.6”	49.4”	47”
Min Width	44.3”	45.2”	43.3”
Height	35.6”	35.6”	30.1”

Payload and Towing

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.).

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, the Defender offers an optional driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Defender’s optional 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.

The Defender’s standard Keyless Entry allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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.

The Defender has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X3.

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 has a 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.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

The Defender will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Defender will retain 57.89% to 67.64% of its original price after five years, while the X3 only retains 50.69% to 52.37%.

Recommendations

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

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