Compare

BMW X5 vs Land Rover Defender

2026 BMW X5 vs 2026 Land Rover Defender — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW X5

2026 BMW X5

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 4Land Rover Defender wins 4 of 7 categories
Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The BMW X5 is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 20 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the BMW X5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW X5 is the bigger car, about 22 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Land Rover Defender has had fewer recall campaigns (18 vs 85).

The two cars

The 2026 BMW X5 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.4L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,558 lb (M60i 4dr SUV).

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 2023 X5 and the 2024 Defender have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 X5.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

25 MPG
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
23 city
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
$3,300
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,100

Performance & space

523 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
626 hp
192.1 in
Length
170.5 in
78 in
Width
79.1 in
68.9 in
Height
77.6 in
5,181 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,819 lb

Safety & reliability

9
Driver-assist features standard
13
2
Recalls (2026)
3
85
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
28
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

25,895
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,171

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
–

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW X5 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (25 vs 20 MPG)
  • You want more room (22 in longer)

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want more power (up to 626 vs 523 hp)
  • You want something easier to park (22 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (18 vs 85 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 BMW X5

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (21.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

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 X5 specs →Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →