2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its sleek design. It retained certain Genesis styling features like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition. However, 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-car style, offering a more refined look compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Porsche Macan, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. The Electrified GV70 maintained the same styling as the gasoline model, with a shiny grille housing the charge port, making it convenient for charging. The interior was distinctive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, had a rugged appeal with its design. The Defender 90 appeared stubby, while the 130 carried visual mass over its rear wheels, but the 110 four-door hit the sweet spot. The Defender offered endless customization options, with base prices ranging from $58,525 to $120,525, and the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack, upgraded interior materials, and off-roading technology. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. The Gondwana Stone paint didn't complement the orange brake calipers or the delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, illuminated door-sill treadplates, and metal pedal covers. The interior had an industrial theme with quality materials, offering a purposeful look rather than a traditional luxury SUV feel.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered unchanged powertrain options. The gasoline model came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 delivered 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a "Boost Mode" providing 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered vigorous straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match its sportiest rivals, feeling bigger and heavier through corners. The ride quality was reasonable but not exceptional, with the suspension crashing on bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar driving dynamics despite its additional weight. It featured steering-wheel paddles for regenerative braking adjustment and offered a 236-mile range.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender excelled off-road, tackling challenging terrain with ease. On pavement, it rode comfortably, absorbing bumps and imperfections. However, the 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires didn't encourage spirited driving on twisty roads. The Defender's steering was fluid but slow, and its stability control system occasionally activated on uneven roads. The test vehicle achieved 16.2 mpg in observed fuel economy, below the expected 19 mpg.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered comparable interior space to its rivals, with slightly less headroom but more front-seat legroom than some competitors. It provided 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats in place, better than the Mercedes but less than the Audi. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo space to 56.9 cubic feet. The Electrified GV70 had minimal impact on interior space, with slight reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design came at the cost of small-item storage, but it included a dedicated phone storage nook and rear-seat climate controls. The Electrified GV70 featured automatic side bolsters for the front seats, enhancing support during spirited driving.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating. The test vehicle featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The Defender provided excellent forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved rear visibility. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating for rear passengers. The Defender 130 excelled in third-row seat accessibility and comfort, with a heated and roomy third row. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but the load floor could be lowered with the air suspension. Cargo space measured 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

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 infotainment system was user-friendly, with an intuitive layout and a rotary controller. Genesis included a fingerprint scanner for driver profiles and digital key functionality, allowing a phone to replace the key fob.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessed via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and connected services. Pivi Pro's response to voice commands was slower than preferred, but its accuracy was impressive. The user experience was more intuitive, with fewer dead ends. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system was impressive. The test vehicle featured a head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and parking ease. The optional Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA published four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, driver-attention monitor, parking assist sensors, 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 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist operated transparently, though it occasionally struggled in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at press time, as low-volume models like this one are typically not tested by the NHTSA and IIHS.