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BMW iX vs Land Rover Defender

2026 BMW iX vs 2026 Land Rover Defender — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW iX

2026 BMW iX

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 2BMW iX wins 4 of 6 categories
Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $3,300 a year less in fuel for the BMW iX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW iX is the bigger car, about 24 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the BMW iX has had fewer recall campaigns (12 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 BMW iX is a standard SUV powered by electricity and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,688 lb (M70 Xdrive Series).

The 2026 Land Rover Defender is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,819 lb (110 5 Seat 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 iX and the 2024 Defender have the fewest problems in our data.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
EV
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
EV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

–
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
–
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
364 mi
EV range
–
$800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,100

Performance & space

536 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
626 hp
194.9 in
Length
170.5 in
77.2 in
Width
79.1 in
66.5 in
Height
77.6 in
5,401 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,819 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
13
0
Recalls (2026)
3
12
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
3
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

6,004
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,171

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW iX if…

  • You want an EV with more range (364 miles)
  • You want more room (24 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (12 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want more power (up to 626 vs 536 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (24 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Pros & cons of each

2026 BMW iX

  • Long EV rangeUp to 364 miles on a charge (EPA).
  • Strong performanceUp to 536 hp, versus about 393 hp for similar 2026 models.

2026 Land Rover Defender

  • Strong performanceUp to 626 hp, versus about 493 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 BMW iX specs →Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →