2025 Land Rover Defender vs 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

$56,900 · Crossover

$52,300 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between rugged capability and refined efficiency often trips up buyers looking for a premium AWD crossover. The 2025 Land Rover Defender starts at a heftier $56,900 compared to the 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country's $52,300 MSRP, a $4,600 upfront difference. Power delivery leans toward the Defender, boasting 296 hp against the Volvo's 247 hp, suggesting more assertive acceleration. However, the practicalities of daily driving favor the V60 significantly; it achieves a 26 MPG combined, crushing the Defender's 19 MPG combined rating, saving money at the premium fuel pump weekly. Furthermore, the Defender's imposing 77.5-inch height contrasts sharply with the V60's sleeker 59.2-inch profile. While the Defender is shorter overall at 180.5 inches versus the V60's 188.5 inches, the MPG gap is the most crucial metric for long-term ownership cost assessment.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country wins for commuters due to its superior 26 MPG combined fuel economy versus the Defender's 19 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is chosen for families because its significantly taller 77.5-inch height likely translates to easier ingress/egress and a commanding road presence.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Land Rover Defender

Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Land Rover Defender for its higher output of 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The Volvo V60 offers substantially better value, netting 7 more MPG for $4,600 less than the Defender's starting price.

Choose the Land Rover Defender if...

You absolutely need the maximum available power, boasting 296 hp from the engine.
You prioritize a commanding stature, evidenced by its 77.5-inch height, offering better ground visibility.
You prefer a slightly shorter overall footprint at 180.5 inches, which might aid parking in tight urban spots.

Choose the Volvo V60 Cross Country if...

Your priority is stretching your premium fuel budget, thanks to an excellent 31 MPG highway rating.
You want to save $4,600 upfront, as the V60 starts at $52,300 compared to the Defender's $56,900.
You prefer a longer vehicle profile (188.5 inches) without sacrificing fuel economy, providing more usable length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Land Rover Defender	Volvo V60 Cross Country
Length	180.5"	188.5"
Width	-	75.4"
Height	77.5"	59.2"
Wheelbase	101.9"	113.2"

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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
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	247 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque	295 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1500 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 (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	23/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	26 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	428.4/499.8 mi.	365.7/492.9 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	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
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
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	37.4 in.
Front Leg Room	39.1 in.	42.3 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	—	56.1 in.
Front Hip Room	—	55.3 in.
Seat Material: Leather	—	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Land Rover	Volvo
Rear Head Room	37.2 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.6 in.	35.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Shoulder Room	—	54.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	—	53.4 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	215/55R18
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	18 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	—	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Land Rover Defender and 2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country.

How significant is the fuel economy difference between the Defender and the V60 Cross Country?

The difference is substantial: the V60 Cross Country achieves 26 MPG combined, while the Defender only manages 19 MPG combined. This 7 MPG advantage means the Volvo owner will save noticeable amounts annually, especially considering both recommend premium fuel.

Which vehicle offers more outright performance power?

The 2025 Land Rover Defender is significantly punchier, producing 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Volvo V60 Cross Country sits behind with 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Is the Land Rover Defender practical for city driving despite its MPG?

While the Defender’s 18 MPG city rating is low, its 180.5-inch length is actually slightly shorter than the V60's 188.5 inches, which might make maneuvering in very tight city centers marginally easier.

How does the cargo space compare between these two crossovers?

Based on the specs provided, the Defender offers 15.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Specific cargo capacity data for the V60 Cross Country was not provided in the comparison data.

Why is the Defender significantly more expensive at the starting MSRP?

The Defender commands a $4,600 higher starting price ($56,900 vs. $52,300) likely due to its higher horsepower output (296 hp vs. 247 hp) and greater overall height (77.5 inches vs. 59.2 inches), suggesting a focus on ultimate off-road presence and capability.

Do both models use the same type of transmission and drivetrain?

Yes, both vehicles utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission paired with an All-Wheel Drive system, ensuring similar shifting behavior and traction capability.