2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design and luxury-car style. It featured signature Genesis styling elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille, but it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirkiness of the smaller GV60. Notable details included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport Prestige trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline models, with a shiny grille housing the charge port, making it convenient for charging. Inside, the GV70 boasted a distinctive interior with quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, connecting it visually to other Land Rover models. However, its interior was more rugged and adventure-ready, resembling a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco but with more soft-touch materials. The Defender was available in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130, each with various trims. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, featured a County visual package with white wheels and vintage graphics, emphasizing its throwback appeal. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, and a panoramic glass roof. Higher trims offered additional features like ventilated front seats, digital rearview mirror cameras, and premium upholstery options. The Defender's interior was a blend of luxury and functionality, with grip handles, rubberized floors, and numerous cargo compartments, making it suitable for both urban and rugged adventures.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered two gasoline powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors delivering a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 delivered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX or BMW X3. The ride quality was comfortable but not exceptional, with the suspension tending to crash over bumps. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar driving dynamics to the gasoline version, with the added benefit of adjustable regenerative braking and a 236-mile EPA-rated range.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300 producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The P400 model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, delivered 493 hp and 450 lb-ft, and 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension, Terrain Response 2, and all-terrain progress control. The most powerful V8 in the Defender 110 Carpathian Edition accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The P400 model provided ample power for highway driving, though it exhibited some lurching at low speeds due to off-road gearing.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space compared to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place, surpassing the Mercedes but slightly less than the Audi Q5. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar interior space, with minor reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design, featuring an orb-like infotainment controller and rotary shifter, limited small-item storage but included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 also offered automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a blend of luxury and functionality, with soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and ample cargo compartments. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, depending on the configuration. The Defender 110 had an optional third row for children, while the Defender 130 offered three seats in the third row, accommodating up to eight passengers. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 providing 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 76.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet with the first row folded. The two-door Defender 90 provided 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 58.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces for practicality and easy cleaning.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the center console provided an alternative control method. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo. The touchscreen's simplicity complemented the Defender's utilitarian persona, with home buttons for easy navigation. The interior balanced refinement and utility, appealing to those who prefer straightforward technology.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA awarded four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender included standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were noted for being overly sensitive. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had crash-tested the 2024 Defender at the time of writing.