Infiniti QX80 vs Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 18 mpg for the Infiniti QX80, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $400 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Land Rover Defender leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Infiniti QX80
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 30 configurations
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Infiniti QX80 | Land Rover Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 18 mpg | 20 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 16 mpg | 18 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 20 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $4,200 | $3,800 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 504 g/mi | 444 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; MDPV, SIDI; MDPV (Curb Weight >6000 lbs), SIDI; Over 6000 lbs curb weight | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S9), Automatic (S7) | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | 4-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 | 30 | 54 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
QX80 vs Defender: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Infiniti QX80 or the Land Rover Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 18 mpg for the Infiniti QX80, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $400 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Land Rover Defender runs about $3,800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $4,200 for the Infiniti QX80 — a difference of roughly $400 per year.
What engines do the QX80 and Defender offer?
Infiniti QX80: SIDI, SIDI; MDPV, SIDI; MDPV (Curb Weight >6000 lbs), SIDI; Over 6000 lbs curb weight. Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Infiniti QX80 and the Land Rover Defender as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
More QX80 comparisons
Comparison id: infiniti-qx80-vs-land-rover-defender