2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes from previous models. Its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood were reminiscent of the original Defender and classic Series Land Rovers. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was modern, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender provided more interior space and better ergonomics compared to its predecessor, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by metal trim and a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about interior damage.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's design included unique elements like a sculpted hood, a distinct shoulder line, and undulating accent lines around the side windows. Dark chrome finishes and a cross-hatched matrix pattern on the Sport grades emphasized its sporty intent. Genesis offered a wide range of exterior and interior colour combinations, allowing for personalization. The cabin featured an elliptical theme inspired by airplane wings, with options for genuine carbon fibre inserts and backlit graphic designs. The interior surfaces were of high quality, with quilted leather seats and door panels in premium grades, although some plastic elements were present in less frequently encountered areas.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains, including a new V8 engine. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The V8 model featured 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 and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and impressive off-road features like a 4WD system with low range and optional Terrain Response 2 system.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 being the focus of our test. This engine produced 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, competing with mid-level performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M40i and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43. The GV70's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km combined, with real-world figures slightly lower. All GV70 models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, prioritizing the rear axle for torque distribution. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, allowing up to 100% of torque to be sent to a single rear wheel. The GV70 offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes, with Sport+ delivering aggressive performance. The electronically controlled suspension system used a forward camera to adapt to road conditions, balancing comfort and feedback. The GV70's tight turning radius was advantageous in urban environments.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile interior configurations. The two-door Defender 90 featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing surprising comfort despite limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models offered 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with them folded. The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a spacious centre-console storage bin. Optional features included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design and ergonomics. The centre console separated the driver from the front passenger, with intuitive button and dial controls within easy reach. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, offering a pleasant user experience. The climate controls were configured under a single pane, providing haptic feedback for inputs. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with options for ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The rear space was enhanced by a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades. Cargo volume behind the second row was 819 litres, expanding to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor when not in use.

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. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The user interface was well-designed, with easy-to-navigate graphics and a distinctive colour palette. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display. The system required a firm touch for responsiveness.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, featuring a 14.5-inch high-definition LCD infotainment screen with high-resolution graphics. The system allowed for a split-screen layout, accommodating in-car functions and smartphone integration. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster with eye-tracking graphics and Hyundai’s Blind View Monitor system. A fingerprint recognition system enabled keyless vehicle start. The GV70 offered a nine-speaker audio system as standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades. USB ports were available for both front and rear passengers.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. The Genesis Highway Driving Assist system included lane centring and automatic lane changing functions, though it required hands-on operation. The GV70 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its onboard systems were of high quality.