Land Rover Defender vs BMW X6
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.
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
2015–2027
BMW X6
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 47 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Land Rover Defender | BMW X6 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 20 mpg | 24 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 18 mpg | 23 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 23 mpg | 27 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,800 | $3,150 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 444 g/mi | 359 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI; |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2020–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 54 | 47 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Defender vs X6: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Land Rover Defender or the BMW X6?
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 Defender and X6 offer?
Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. BMW X6: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI, SIDI;.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Land Rover Defender and the BMW X6 as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: land-rover-defender-vs-bmw-x6