2021 BMW X7 vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 BMW X7 was a prominent figure on the roads of metropolitan Los Angeles, often drawing comparisons to its competitors. It boasted superior interior quality compared to the Cadillac Escalade, more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator, and a higher level of technological sophistication than the Lexus LX 570. Its visual presence was significant, especially when compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The X7's styling was appealing, with traditional BMW cues and a touch of glamor, making it a standout in the luxury SUV segment. Inside, the X7 shared many features with the X5, offering high-tech design, quality materials, and mostly intuitive controls, though some quirks required acclimation.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood, reminiscent of the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the Defender was a thoroughly modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights for a distinct personality. The interior was spacious and ergonomic, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor. The design emphasized the Defender's rugged character, with bare metal and exposed screws complementing the mix of leather and suede upholstery. The Defender's interior was practical and functional, with a focus on durability and off-road capability.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, producing 335 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive AWD system. The eBoost mild-hybrid technology added a 48-volt starter/generator and battery, enhancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. Despite the technology, the X7's fuel economy ratings were slightly lower than the previous year, with 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, offering smooth and serene driving with its Dynamic Handling Package and Active Comfort Drive system.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid with 395 hp, and a new 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. The V8 could propel the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively. It also excelled off-road, with features like the Terrain Response 2 system and a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds.

The 2021 BMW X7 offered a luxurious interior with features like heated and ventilated seats, premium leather upholstery, and a five-zone climate control system. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the second-row captain's chairs provided ample comfort. The third-row seat was surprisingly accommodating for adults, though accessing it required some maneuvering of the power seats. The X7's cargo space was limited, with 48.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing comfort and flexibility. The two-door Defender 90 had limited cargo space, but the four-door Defender 110 offered more options, with up to 70.4 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with the Live Cockpit Professional digital instrumentation and iDrive 7.0 infotainment system, both featuring 12.3-inch displays. The system included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM 360L, and Connected Package Pro. The natural voice-recognition system and gesture control were notable features, though the latter was inconsistent. The head-up display was also included, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system for off-roading.

The 2021 BMW X7 included standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the Driving Assistance Professional Package and Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered features like evasive-steering assist, traffic-jam assist, and lane-control assist. The Parking Assistance Package added semi-automated parking assist and a surround-view camera.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.