2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that harkened back to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro elements, the Defender boasted a thoroughly modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The modern Defender was significantly larger than its predecessor, offering more interior space and improved ergonomics. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, featuring a mix of bare metal, exposed screws, and metal trim, alongside leather and suede upholstery that seemed more practical for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV70 showcased a stylish connection to the G70 compact luxury sedan, with split-bar headlights and a strong chrome line that visually linked it to its sedan counterpart. The GV70’s interior was a testament to Genesis’s luxury credentials, featuring top-notch materials and excellent fit and finish. The design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that rose organically from the dash. The GV70’s dash included a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The GV70 was available in both gas-powered and electrified versions, with various trims offering a range of luxury features, from genuine leather upholstery to advanced driver-assistance technologies.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a mid-level 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. It also offered an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 2.5T was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.5T variant featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified model used a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 offered a range of 236 miles and featured DC fast charging capabilities. The GV70 provided a refined driving experience, balancing comfort and handling, with the electric version leaning slightly more towards comfort.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations, with the two-door Defender 90 featuring 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, though accessing them was challenging. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with three-row models offering 11.4 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up, increasing to 51.7 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Defender’s interior emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space, a spacious center-console storage bin, and optional exterior cargo solutions like a basket-style roof rack.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use, which was above average for the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and practical interior storage solutions, including decently large cupholders and a center console tray with a retractable lid. While front-seat passengers enjoyed comfortable seating, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to adjust their seats for more space. The rear bench reclined for added comfort.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all but the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts, though the screen required a firm touch. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Additional features like ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key were available.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered standard driver-assist technologies, including lane-keep assist and automatic emergency braking. However, adaptive cruise control was not standard, a common practice among luxury brands. The Defender had not been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5T model’s Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking camera system, while these features were included in the Sport Advance package for the 3.5T model. The GV70 Electrified offered more standard driver-assistance features, including a fully digital instrument panel.