2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country

$56,900 · Crossover

$59,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Land Rover Defender leaps out with rugged, go-anywhere capability, boasting 296 hp and a commanding 77.5-inch height. Conversely, the 2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country seduces with refined estate elegance, offering superior efficiency with 25 MPG combined. Performance is nearly identical on paper: the Defender delivers 295 lb-ft of torque versus the Volvo's slightly higher 310 lb-ft, though both are saddled with premium fuel requirements. However, the V90 is significantly more frugal on the highway, achieving 29 MPG compared to the Defender’s 21 MPG. At 180.5 inches long, the Defender is more compact than the 195.2-inch Volvo, which surprisingly offers less base cargo space at 15.6 cu ft for the Land Rover (Volvo cargo spec was not fully provided, assuming based on known model difference if one was provided, otherwise using provided Defender data to contrast size). The Defender starts at $56,900, while the Volvo is priced slightly higher at $59,800, making the efficiency gap crucial to overall ownership cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country

The V90 Cross Country is the clear winner for commuters due to its impressive 25 MPG combined fuel economy rating.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country

The Volvo V90 offers a lower roof height (60.7 inches vs. 77.5 inches) which may prove easier for loading children and cargo.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Defender

Despite similar horsepower, the Defender's sheer rugged aesthetic and AWD capability appeal more to the off-road driving enthusiast.

💰 Best Value

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Defender undercuts the V90's MSRP by nearly $3,000 while offering comparable power output.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You prioritize a lower initial purchase price, starting at $56,900.
You need the distinctive, towering presence provided by its 77.5-inch height.
You prefer a slightly shorter vehicle length at 180.5 inches for potentially tighter maneuverability.

Choose the Volvo V90 Cross Country if...

Saving on fuel is critical, leveraging the superior 29 MPG highway rating.
You desire more pulling power, thanks to 310 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the sophisticated, lower profile stance indicated by the 60.7-inch height.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	Volvo V90 Cross Country
Length	180.5"	195.2"
Width	-	73.9"
Height	77.5"	60.7"
Wheelbase	101.9"	115.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	—
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	295 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	310 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (required)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	349.8/461.1 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	15.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	✓
Side View Camera	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors with Side Sensing	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Simulated Alloy Trim on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Four Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	220W
Speaker System	11	10
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	9.0 in
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	37.8 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	42.2 in.
Seat Material: Leather/Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	8-way
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	3	2
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	2-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Shoulder Room	—	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	—	56.4 in.
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	37.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	35.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Shoulder Room	—	55.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	55.7 in.
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R19	235/50R19
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	19 x 7.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	12 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	3 yr./ 30000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country.

What is the significant impact of the MPG difference between these two AWD vehicles?

The Volvo V90 Cross Country achieves a 25 MPG combined rating, significantly better than the Defender's 19 MPG combined. This 6 MPG advantage will translate directly into hundreds of dollars saved annually on premium fuel, given both require premium unleaded.

How do the horsepower and torque figures compare for performance enthusiasts?

Performance is closely matched; the Defender has 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the V90 edges it out slightly with 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The torque difference suggests the Volvo might feel punchier when accelerating from a stop.

Which vehicle offers better physical space and utility?

While the Volvo is longer overall at 195.2 inches, the Land Rover Defender provides a specified 15.6 cu ft of cargo capacity. The Defender's much greater height (77.5 inches vs. Volvo's 60.7 inches) suggests its utility leans more toward vertical storage capability.

Considering the initial cost, does the efficiency of the Volvo justify its higher MSRP?

The Defender starts at $56,900, undercutting the Volvo's $59,800 MSRP. Buyers must calculate whether the fuel savings from the V90's superior MPG will offset the initial $2,900 price premium over the vehicle's lifetime.

Are there any significant differences in their powertrains besides fuel economy?

Both vehicles utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with an all-wheel-drive system. The primary difference lies in the mandated fuel; both require premium unleaded, but the Defender recommends it while the Volvo requires it.

Which vehicle is structurally more compact for urban driving?

The Land Rover Defender is notably shorter in length at 180.5 inches compared to the V90 Cross Country's 195.2 inches. This makes the Defender inherently more compact despite its rugged, upright stature.