2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried forward the legacy of its predecessors, maintaining a distinctive look that echoed its rugged past. The new Defender featured half-round LED headlights, a structural grille, and flat-topped fenders reminiscent of its iconic design. The SUV's short overhangs and robust build gave it a capable and planted appearance, while the interior showcased an exposed structure theme with high-quality materials, including real metal and leather. The Defender's cabin was thoughtfully designed, offering a blend of luxury and toughness, with a digital instrument panel and a secure center touchscreen interface.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, embracing a Parametric Pixel design that gave it a futuristic concept car feel. The Ioniq 5's exterior was adorned with pixelated LED lights, creating a unique visual identity. Inside, the Ioniq 5 offered a "Living Space" theme with a mellow and comfortable interior, featuring sustainable materials and a Relaxation mode for the driver's seat. The cabin was designed for relaxation, with a focus on passenger comfort and innovative use of space, including a moveable center console and a modern take on a front bench seat.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 hp. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with Terrain Response were standard, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Defender boasted impressive off-road specs, including a 30.1-degree approach angle and 35.4 inches of wading depth. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 3.0-liter model accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The base model featured a 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower, while the extended-range variants offered 225 hp and a range of 303 miles. The AWD version produced 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various terrains, with four drive modes, including Sport mode for added excitement. It featured paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking and offered a quiet ride with noise-reducing features.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender utilized a unibody platform with four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with up to 78.8 cubic feet available in the 110 model.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform, maximizing interior space with a longer wheelbase than the Hyundai Palisade. It offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort with 106.5 cu-ft of passenger volume. The Ioniq 5 featured a moveable center console and comfortable leatherette seats, providing a spacious and versatile interior.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender featured Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Pivi Pro infotainment system included a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender offered multiple camera views, a head-up display, and a ClearSight rear-view mirror.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging and offered a redesigned Blue Link app for EV management. The Ioniq 5 featured 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, with anti-glare coating and over-the-air updates.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, and a 360-degree parking aid. It underwent extensive durability testing but lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 included Hyundai SmartSense, with features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning. It offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, although official ratings were not yet available.