Genesis GV80 vs Land Rover Defender 130
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.

Genesis GV80
From $119,000
SUV
Petrol
279kW
10.3 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
735L

Land Rover Defender 130
From $114,500
SUV
3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid
257kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
389L
Price Breakdown
The Genesis GV80 starts from $119,000 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 130 opens at $114,500. That makes the Land Rover Defender 130 the more affordable entry point by $4,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $130,900 and $125,950 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 130 by roughly $3,135 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Genesis GV80 and Land Rover Defender 130 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Genesis GV80 and 85% for the Land Rover Defender 130.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Land Rover Defender 130 packs more ADAS features with 7 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 6 in the Genesis GV80.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 10 in the Genesis GV80 and 6 in the Land Rover Defender 130.
Feature Showdown
The Genesis GV80 features a 27-inch touchscreen, while the Land Rover Defender 130 gets a 13.1-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Genesis GV80 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bang & Olufsen audio that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Genesis GV80 uses a Petrol producing 279kW and 530Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 130 responds with a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 257kW and 700Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
The Genesis GV80 has the clear power advantage at 279kW vs 257kW. In the real-world sprint, the Genesis GV80 is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Genesis GV80 measures 4,940mm long on a 2,955mm wheelbase, 159mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender 130 at 5,099mm (3,587mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 735L in the Genesis GV80 and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the Genesis GV80 a 346L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,722kg. That 278kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m to 12.8m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,936/year for the Genesis GV80 and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $627 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 130.
Estimated annual total: $2,936 (Genesis GV80) vs $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130). The Land Rover Defender 130 saves you roughly $627 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Genesis GV80) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Genesis GV80 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Genesis's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Genesis GV80 and Land Rover Defender 130 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Land Rover Defender 130 will save you roughly $627 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Genesis GV80 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 20 April 2026
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