BMW X6 vs Land Rover Defender
The BMW X6 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $650 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the BMW X6 leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
BMW X6
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 47 configurations
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW X6 | Land Rover Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 24 mpg ✓ | 20 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 23 mpg ✓ | 18 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 27 mpg ✓ | 23 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,150 ✓ | $3,800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 359 g/mi ✓ | 444 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2020–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 47 | 54 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
X6 vs Defender: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW X6 or the Land Rover Defender?
The BMW X6 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $650 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the BMW X6 runs about $3,150 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,800 for the Land Rover Defender — a difference of roughly $650 per year.
What engines do the X6 and Defender offer?
BMW X6: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI;. Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW X6 and the Land Rover Defender as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More X6 comparisons
Comparison id: bmw-x6-vs-land-rover-defender