2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, yet it remained distinctive. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood paid homage to the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nods to the past, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, along with a comfortable driving position that maintained good outward visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, featuring a mix of leather upholstery and suede, bare metal, and exposed screws, which made it more practical for off-road adventures.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, measuring over 16 feet long, presented a stately appearance. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant look, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint job. The interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by thin horizontal air vents, metal, and matte wood trim. The center console was highlighted by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch compared to other luxury manufacturers. While the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed somewhat out of place on the dash, the interior was spacious and luxurious, providing a comfortable environment for occupants.

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. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new-for-2022 V8 engine, producing 518 hp and 461 lb-ft 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 V8 model included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Defender was comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps effectively and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender also boasted an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with all-wheel drive and two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 was not particularly athletic or nimble, it excelled at highway driving, offering smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride. The GV80's highway performance was enhanced by its ability to scan the road for roughness and adjust the dampers accordingly, making it an excellent choice for long commutes.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, although accessing them in the two-door Defender 90 was challenging. The Defender 110 model 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, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions had 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space below the dashboard and a spacious center-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional roof racks and cargo boxes added to the Defender's practicality.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with luxury features and spaciousness. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with ventilated front and rear seats available. The Ergo Motion driver’s seat offered fatigue-reducing features. The GV80's interior featured Nappa leather seats, a tri-zone climate control system, and an optional 21-speaker stereo system. The proximity key and digital key provided convenience, while the panoramic glass roof and suede headliner added a touch of luxury. The GV80 offered ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. Its towing capacity was 6,000 pounds.

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 all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The interface was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and menu layouts, although the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects seemed gimmicky, the head-up display projected information into the driver’s field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, although it offered handwriting recognition. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but not wirelessly. The GV80 featured wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed the car to park itself without the driver inside, adding a unique convenience feature.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features such as lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the Defender, which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The GV80's blind-spot video feed in the digital gauge cluster provided a clear view of the car’s blind spots. Highway Drive Assist offered hands-on/eyes-up driving aid, although it struggled in bright sunlight. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.