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Genesis GV80 vs Land Rover Defender

2026 Genesis GV80 vs 2026 Land Rover Defender — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Genesis GV80

2026 Genesis GV80

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 1Genesis GV80 wins 5 of 6 categories
Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Genesis GV80 is more fuel-efficient: 22 vs 20 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $350 a year less in fuel for the Genesis GV80 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Genesis GV80 is the bigger car, about 24 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Genesis GV80 has had fewer recall campaigns (9 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Genesis GV80 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl turbo and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,104 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

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 GV80 and the 2024 Defender have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 GV80.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
2.5L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-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

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,100

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
626 hp
194.9 in
Length
170.5 in
77.6 in
Width
79.1 in
67.3 in
Height
77.6 in
4,707 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,819 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
13
1
Recalls (2026)
3
9
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
10
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

5,156
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,171

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2021
Year to avoid
–

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Genesis GV80 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (22 vs 20 MPG)
  • You want more room (24 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (9 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want something easier to park (24 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Genesis GV80

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.
  • 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 Genesis GV80 specs →Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →