Land Rover Defender vs Lincoln Navigator: Specs Compared
Also searched as Lincoln Navigator vs Land Rover Defender specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Land Rover Defender is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Lincoln Navigator, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.
Across 4 measured categories, the Land Rover Defender leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
2015–2027
Lincoln Navigator
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 35 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Land Rover Defender | Lincoln Navigator |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 20 mpg ✓ | 19 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 18 mpg ✓ | 17 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,800 | $3,250 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 444 g/mi ✓ | 462 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI | SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; Stop-Start |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8) | Automatic (S10), Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrains | 4-Wheel Drive | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
| Years covered | 2020–2026 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 54 | 35 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Land Rover Defender vs Lincoln Navigator dimensions and size
The Lincoln Navigator is 22.4 inches longer than the Land Rover Defender on a wheelbase 3.5 inches longer, and 1,108.9 lbs heavier. At over 200 inches, the larger of the two is past the comfortable limit of a standard 192-inch single garage bay once you allow walking room.
| Dimension | Land Rover Defender (2026) | Lincoln Navigator (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4 in | 209.8 in | 22.4 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 79.1 in | 79.9 in | 0.8 in |
| Height | 77.6 in | 78 in | 0.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 118.9 in | 122.4 in | 3.5 in |
| Curb weight | 4,819 lbs | 5,928 lbs | 1,109 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Land Rover Defender vs Lincoln Navigator: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Lincoln Navigator burns about $3,250 of fuel annually against $3,800 for the Land Rover Defender. That $550 yearly gap compounds to roughly $2,750 over five years and $4,400 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Land Rover Defender is the stronger commuter at 18 mpg city, while the Lincoln Navigator pulls ahead on the interstate at 23 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Land Rover Defender is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI), the Lincoln Navigator with 3 (SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; Stop-Start). Across 54 recorded Land Rover Defender configurations and 35 for the Lincoln Navigator, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Land Rover Defender is offered with 4-Wheel Drive, the Lincoln Navigator with Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Land Rover Defender emits 444 g/mile of CO2 versus 462 g/mile for the Lincoln Navigator. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Defender vs Navigator: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Land Rover Defender or the Lincoln Navigator?
The Land Rover Defender is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 20 mpg combined versus 19 mpg for the Lincoln Navigator, a 1 mpg advantage and costs about $550 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Lincoln Navigator runs about $3,250 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,800 for the Land Rover Defender — a difference of roughly $550 per year.
What engines do the Defender and Navigator offer?
Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI. Lincoln Navigator: SIDI & PFI, SIDI, SIDI; Stop-Start.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Land Rover Defender as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and the Lincoln Navigator as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Defender comparisons
More Navigator comparisons
Comparison id: land-rover-defender-vs-lincoln-navigator