2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 GMC Yukon

$56,900 · Crossover

$69,200 · SUV

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Land Rover Defender bursts onto the scene with an adventurous spirit, showcasing impressive capability in a relatively compact 180.5-inch frame, delivering 296 hp through its standard AWD system. Conversely, the massive 2026 GMC Yukon demands attention with sheer presence and substantially greater output, boasting 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. This comparison pits refined capability against brute force: the Defender manages 19 MPG combined while relying on premium fuel, whereas the Yukon sips regular unleaded at 17 MPG combined. Crucially, the Yukon offers a cavernous 25.5 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the Defender’s 15.6 cu ft. This powertrain gap results in a significant $12,300 MSRP difference, forcing buyers to weigh off-road charm against straight-line muscle and sheer size.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Defender’s smaller 180.5-inch length and better 19 MPG combined rating make it nimbler and more efficient for daily urban navigation.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 GMC Yukon

The 2026 GMC Yukon is the clear family choice, offering substantially more cargo capacity at 25.5 cu ft compared to the Defender’s 15.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 GMC Yukon

The Yukon’s superior power figures—355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque—promise a more exhilarating on-road acceleration experience.

💰 Best Value

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender undercuts the Yukon by $12,300 in MSRP while still providing standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You prioritize maneuverability in tight spaces, evidenced by its 180.5-inch length.
You want standard All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box.
You seek a lower entry price point, starting $12,300 less than the Yukon.

Choose the GMC Yukon if...

Maximum hauling capability is essential, given its best-in-class 25.5 cu ft of cargo space.
You demand superior raw power from a 355 hp engine requiring regular unleaded fuel.
You prefer the stability and conventional traction of a Rear Wheel Drive setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	GMC Yukon
Length	180.5"	210.1"
Width	-	81.0"
Height	77.5"	76.5"
Wheelbase	101.9"	121.0"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
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	2
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	5.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V8
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	296 hp @ 5500 rpm	355 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	383 lb-ft @ 4100 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Overhead valves (OHV)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	rear wheel drive
4WD System Type	Full Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—
Rear Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	15/20 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	17 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	360.0/480.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	23.8 gal.	24.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Automatic Parking Assist	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Meridian Speakers	✓	—
Stereo Power	400W	—
Speaker System	11	10
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Infotainment Display	—	16.8 in
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Surround Audio	—	Discrete
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	42.3 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	44.5 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	—	65.5 in.
Front Hip Room	—	61.5 in.
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	38.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	42.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Rear Shoulder Room	—	64.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	61.3 in.
Heated Rear Seats (Multi-Level)	—	✓
Power Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R19	275/60R20
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	Full Size Non-Matching
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Size	—	20 x 9.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Land Rover	GMC
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2026 GMC Yukon.

Which vehicle is significantly larger for hauling cargo?

The 2026 GMC Yukon is substantially larger, boasting a massive 25.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. This dwarfs the 2025 Land Rover Defender, which offers only 15.6 cubic feet.

What is the core difference in engine performance?

The Yukon holds a major performance advantage with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, easily surpassing the Defender’s 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Do the vehicles require different fuel types?

Yes, the Land Rover Defender recommends premium unleaded for its 296 hp engine. Conversely, the more powerful 2026 GMC Yukon runs efficiently on regular unleaded fuel.

How does the drivetrain and size impact commuting?

The Defender, being an AWD vehicle measuring only 180.5 inches long, is generally better suited for nimble commuting than the much longer, RWD-based Yukon.

Is the price gap between these two models substantial?

Absolutely, there is a considerable $12,300 difference in starting MSRP, with the 2025 Land Rover Defender significantly undercutting the 2026 GMC Yukon’s price tag.