2027 Lexus GX vs Land Rover Defender: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the GX — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (51.4% vs 45.2%) and more towing capacity (9,096 lb vs 8,200 lb). Choose the Defender if you want the most power (626 hp vs 349 hp).
Scorecard: GX 2.5 pts · Defender 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 GX | 2027 Defender | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $67,535 | — | No data |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 51.4% | 45.2% | GX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 17 mpg | 18 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 349 hp | 626 hp | Defender |
| Max towing (1) | 9,096 lb | 8,200 lb | GX |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 10.3 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1 | GX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — GX 17 mpg vs Defender 18 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the GX — 51.4% vs 45.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the GX — 9,096 lb vs 8,200 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- GX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Defender: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 GX | 2027 Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $67,535 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $84,050 | — |
| Horsepower | 349 hp | 296–626 hp |
| Max torque | 479 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 17 mpg | 17–18 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 9,096 lb | 8,200 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 7 | — / 8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 10.3 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) GX lists for a median $41,995 — 51.4% of today's median new price of $81,705. A 5-year-old (2021) Defender lists for a median $39,995 — 45.2% of today's median new price of $88,394.
Shop both
- See new 2027 Lexus GX for sale →
- See 2,969 new 2027 Land Rover Defenders for sale →Median listed price $88,899 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Lexus GX
More on the Land Rover Defender
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the GX better than the Defender?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the GX — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (51.4% vs 45.2%) and more towing capacity (9,096 lb vs 8,200 lb). Choose the Defender if you want the most power (626 hp vs 349 hp).
Which is more reliable, the GX or the Defender?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the GX or the Defender?
The GX: a 5-year-old example lists for 51.4% of the new price, versus 45.2% for the Defender, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the GX or the Defender?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the GX or the Defender?
It's a wash: 17 mpg vs 18 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Lexus GX vs Land Rover Defender: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-gx-vs-land-rover-defender, updated November 8, 2026.