2023 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored a classic Land Rover look over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, all set parallel to the ground, with a sharply chopped tail that defined its classic truck aesthetic. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, skylights along the roof, and body-color square separating the side glass, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles: the short two-door 90, the medium-length four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130, offering a range of choices unmatched by other SUVs.

Inside, the Defender prioritized function and durability over opulence, with most of the interior coated in moisture-wicking rubbers and plastics. Despite its high price, the interior was basic, with exposed screws and plain-looking air vents, maintaining the Defender's hardcore character. While the build quality and fit were excellent, the interior lacked the luxury feel of a Range Rover. The Defender's price, especially for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition, was considered excessive by some, yet it remained the second most popular model in Land Rover's fleet, indicating that many buyers appreciated its unique appeal.

The 2023 Genesis GV70, on the other hand, was a testament to Genesis's luxury credentials, with a design that connected it stylistically to the G70 compact luxury sedan. The GV70's interior was a highlight, 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 featured a full touchscreen backed by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a user-friendly interface. The GV70 was available in both gas-powered and electrified versions, with the gas-powered model offering two trims: the 2.5T and 3.5T, while the Electrified GV70 offered Advance and Prestige trims.

The GV70's base 2.5T trim came well-equipped with features like power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and a hands-free power liftgate. The 3.5T trim added genuine leather upholstery, massaging front seats, and performance-inspired touches. The Electrified GV70 offered impressive luxury credentials, with features like genuine leather upholstery, a power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, and ambient cabin lighting. The GV70's interior design, combined with its range of features, made it a strong contender in the luxury SUV market.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was renowned for its off-road prowess, with features like incredible wheel articulation, generous clearance, and a Terrain Response 2 system that adapted the vehicle's powertrain and chassis to various surfaces. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with excessive body roll, slow steering, and noticeable wind noise. The Defender's engine lineup included a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain, offered 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, providing a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. The Defender's V8, while powerful, had poor fuel economy ratings of 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a refined and well-rounded driving experience, with the 2.5T trim featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5T trim was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 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 featured a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The electric version offered a total range of 236 miles and could be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes on a fast charger. The GV70's handling was well-rounded, with a slight emphasis on comfort, making it a versatile choice for both performance enthusiasts and those seeking a comfortable ride.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled as an everyday SUV, offering unmatched seating configurations. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 had a standard third row for up to eight seats. The Defender's large glass areas, including "alpine lights," provided excellent visibility. Cargo space varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering 77 cubic feet with the third row and second row folded. Buyers could equip their Defenders with a range of off-road accessories, including a metal roof rack, console refrigerator, and power-deployable side steps.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. The GV70's interior featured decently large cupholders, a helpful tray in the center console, and a comfortable seating position for front-seat passengers. However, rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row occupants to slide their seats forward. The rear bench reclined, allowing for a more comfortable seating position.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered two touchscreen infotainment systems running Pivi Pro, with a standard 10-inch screen and an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen. Both screens were quick and simple to operate, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and navigation as standard features. The Defender S trim added heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the X trim included air suspension, a locking rear differential, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The touchscreen was easy to use, 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. Ambient lighting, a digital instrument panel, and the Genesis digital key were available features.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. safety organizations but received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing. It came equipped with six airbags, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included a digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a full suite of driver-assistance technology, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The GV70 Electrified included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.