Land Rover Defender vs Genesis GV80
What's the difference?

Land Rover Defender

$96,255 - $325,532

2026 price

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Genesis GV80

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2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz Eqb250

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLA35

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC300

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Land Rover Defender

2024 Genesis GV80

By Laura Berry

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.4L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

13.1L/100km (combined)

11.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Black elements make design even more appealing
Smooth and powerful 4.4L turbo-petrol V8
Practical but super luxurious

What feature doesn't it have?
Superb comfort in cabin
Outstanding ownership benefits

Dislikes

Quite thirsty
No third-row seating
Annoying speed warning system

Not as dynamic/sporty as some rivals
Middle seat is squishy for adults
Very thirsty, will be painful at bowser.

2026 Land Rover Defender Summary

This feels wrong to say this, but it’s so refreshing not to be driving an electric vehicle. There I said it.

After testing so many EVs lately reviewing a car that has an actual engine is a nice change. And this car definitely has an internal combustion engine - it's the Land Rover Defender Octa Black with a twin-turbo petrol V8.

The Defender Octa is the ultimate form of the 110 Defender. It’s wilder looking, more powerful and more capable, while the Black edition adds darkened elements inside and out for even more visual appeal.

While the Defender Octa Black is special, it’s not alone in a world of high-performance luxury SUVs and its head-to-head rival would be Mercedes-AMG’s G63.

I had the Defender Octa Black for a week and while I didn’t take this beast off-road where it is superbly capable, I put it to the test on some challenging tarmac as well as some challenging real-world family duties.

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2024 Genesis GV80 Summary

The Genesis GV80 SUV has cultivated a quiet but firm following since its debut but there's a new variant on offer - the coupe.

Offered in one highly-specified grade level for our market, the GV80 3.5T Luxury AWD Coupe proves to be a fierce competitor with luxury and handling for it's European rivals - the BMW X6, Range Rover Velar and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

However, the price point is starting to creep a little closer to its rivals, which might not be to everyone's fancy.

I've been family testing the GV80 for a week to see if it gets the seal of approval from my little family of three, read on to find out how it went.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Land Rover Defender 2024 Genesis GV80

Verdict

The Land Rover Defender Octa Black could well be the ultimate form of the Defender. There's also the combination of Land Rover style and utility, but with one of the best V8 powerplants gifted to it from BMW. The Black edition adds extra appeal and highlights how stealthily something this good can fly under the radar against rivals like the Mercedes-AMG G63.

Verdict

The Genesis GV80 Coupe is a rare breed – it comes packed to the gills with features, has great ownership benefits and can easily accommodate a large family in comfort.

The fuel economy isn’t great but it looks and acts the part of a true luxury SUV. My husband and son were impressed and enjoyed all of the features it has.

Land Rover Defender vs Genesis GV80 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Land Rover Defender vs Genesis GV80
What's the difference?