G05 X5 45E vs LR Defender
Winching
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 607
Likes: 176
different
as many mentioned already completely different trucks. i came from a f85 x5m to the defender. my x5m was lowered and fully modified. so it felt more like a really fast wagon that handled like any sports car with endless power.
the defender is not sporty in any means. When people ask how i like it or how i would describe it i explain it’s a very nice truck. It’s the perfect description
but my intentions were to get something much different. the f85 is very capable in the snow but i needed a winter set of wheels and having to change them every time i hit the mountains was a pain
if you want a more all rounded vehicle then the x5 can’t be beat. plus bmw still includes service for free still and their leases can’t be beat
if i didn’t get the defender i would of been in a new f95 X5M
the defender is not sporty in any means. When people ask how i like it or how i would describe it i explain it’s a very nice truck. It’s the perfect description
but my intentions were to get something much different. the f85 is very capable in the snow but i needed a winter set of wheels and having to change them every time i hit the mountains was a pain
if you want a more all rounded vehicle then the x5 can’t be beat. plus bmw still includes service for free still and their leases can’t be beat
if i didn’t get the defender i would of been in a new f95 X5M
Ok guys.
I have been considering both and want to hear your input on this.
I will be needing a car to haul kids, snowjets, going skiing and traveling around the country, but it will be only one car for me. I really like driving dynamics and have been looking at those two cars. I drive alot and sometimes on gravel roads.
My question is what you think I should do.
Did any one of you look at those two when he was trying to decide?
I have been considering both and want to hear your input on this.
I will be needing a car to haul kids, snowjets, going skiing and traveling around the country, but it will be only one car for me. I really like driving dynamics and have been looking at those two cars. I drive alot and sometimes on gravel roads.
My question is what you think I should do.
Did any one of you look at those two when he was trying to decide?
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Wow. This is what I am talking about.
The X5 looks pretty plain comparec to the LR
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 26
Likes: 9
My comparison before purchasing Defender included SQ7, X5 45E, and XC90 T8. I was trading a D5 Td6 that I really enjoyed, save for it being just too floaty on the highway. I spent a bunch of time driving them all, and evaluating them for my needs. I run a few businesses, and have a 75lb pup and an active family so flexibility to toss things into the vehicle is a big deal (i.e. I had a narrow pallet of flooring put into the D5 with a forklift!)
X5 is small inside. Really small especially when considering its overall size. It's better than it used to be, but not equal to any of the others I was comparing to. I really wanted to love X5 Hybrid especially since we had 335/340 in the past and loved them, and I love driving around town with ZERO exhaust, however I found the driving experience to be uninteresting at best. It feels like there's a lot of mass around you when you are driving it which just detracts from the fun. The hybrid system is nice, but you don't get the punch I expected from the electric portion of the hybrid system. We also currently have a Volvo V60 Hybrid, and that definitely gives you that experience! When done right as in Tesla, this Volvo etc, the electric acceleration is almost intoxicating. The BMW had none of that excitement.
We've had the Defender for about a month, and I keep finding more I like about it as we go. At first I thought the cargo area was smallish on Defender, at the benefit of rear seat room, but you can slide rear seats up and give more space back to cargo...brilliant. The driving experience on road is actually pretty fun. It's definitely a truck, but it jumps off the line, and has good feel at highway speeds especially for its size. You sit higher up than almost anyone on the road too, and all sorts of people will wave at you! The only true negative for me is that it chugs fuel. The Pivi Pro is still a work in progress, but I have faith they will get that sorted as we go with over the air updates.
Like others have said, from a size perspective RRS is the better comparo for X5. Defender is incomparable at this point!
Drive them if you can!
X5 is small inside. Really small especially when considering its overall size. It's better than it used to be, but not equal to any of the others I was comparing to. I really wanted to love X5 Hybrid especially since we had 335/340 in the past and loved them, and I love driving around town with ZERO exhaust, however I found the driving experience to be uninteresting at best. It feels like there's a lot of mass around you when you are driving it which just detracts from the fun. The hybrid system is nice, but you don't get the punch I expected from the electric portion of the hybrid system. We also currently have a Volvo V60 Hybrid, and that definitely gives you that experience! When done right as in Tesla, this Volvo etc, the electric acceleration is almost intoxicating. The BMW had none of that excitement.
We've had the Defender for about a month, and I keep finding more I like about it as we go. At first I thought the cargo area was smallish on Defender, at the benefit of rear seat room, but you can slide rear seats up and give more space back to cargo...brilliant. The driving experience on road is actually pretty fun. It's definitely a truck, but it jumps off the line, and has good feel at highway speeds especially for its size. You sit higher up than almost anyone on the road too, and all sorts of people will wave at you! The only true negative for me is that it chugs fuel. The Pivi Pro is still a work in progress, but I have faith they will get that sorted as we go with over the air updates.
Like others have said, from a size perspective RRS is the better comparo for X5. Defender is incomparable at this point!
Drive them if you can!
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
Did you steal them from my garage -- I have the same colors on my Defender X and X5 45e. Wonderful choice 
BTW - what tires (make, model, and spec) do you have on your Defender - they look awesome.
BTW - what tires (make, model, and spec) do you have on your Defender - they look awesome.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 824
From: Boston, MA
I've been a longtime fan of both Audi and Land Rover. Once my Defender build went over $80K I had to check out the new SQ7. Amazing vehicle but I could not get past it having regular tires (no run-flats) and no spare tire. At least BMW gives you run-flats. Somehow Land Rovers just fit our lifestyle better with ski trips, beach driving, wet dog, building supply runs, etc. Love my Defender so far.
Mudding
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 119
Likes: 97
From: Texas
With the entire state of Texas under winter storm warning and not expected to get above freezing for most of this week, it sure feels good to have a planted, secure Land Rover to drive. The X5 & the 911 will be parked for a while.
Mudding
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 92
I have Yokohama Geolandar MT G003 on my Defender 33 x 12.5 x 20.
Let me know if you need to know anything else.
Thanks,
Rob
Mudding
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 110
Likes: 40
Interesting. I looked at the X5 when I got my Evoque, but what a different price. I never thought about it against the Defender — that was a total I bloody love Land Rover, have wanted a Defender for yonks kinda thing. If I am being honest, I should just keep the Evoque — low miles, does all the things. It’s purely a passion buy