Compare the2027 Land Rover Defender VS 2027 Rivian R2

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Defender. But it costs extra on the R2.

The Land Rover Defender’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Rivian R2 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Defender and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Defender has Rear Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Defender and the R2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 2 times as many Land Rover dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Defender’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Defender second among midsize premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The R2 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. With 66 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Rivian.

The Defender has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The R2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the Defender’s brake rotors are larger than those on the R2:

	Defender	Defender OCTA	R2
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	15.7 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	14.4 inches	13.2 inches

The Defender stops much shorter than the R2:

	Defender	R2
100 to 0 MPH	338 feet	363 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Defender’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R2 (275/45R22 vs. 255/55R21).

The Defender’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2 Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Defender offers optional 22-inch wheels. The R2’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Defender has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the R2; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Defender 110’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the R2 (119 inches vs. 115.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Defender is 4 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the R2.

The Defender 110 handles at .81 G’s, while the R2 Performance pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Defender 90’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the R2’s (38 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Defender 110 OCTA has a 3.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the R2 (12.7 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Defender to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Land Rover Defender may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Rivian R2.

The Defender 130 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the R2 can only carry 5. The Defender 90 offers optional seating for 6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Defender 7 and 8-passenger’s middle row seats recline. The R2’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Defender 110’s cargo area provides more volume than the R2.

	Defender	R2
Third Seat Folded	34.6 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	34 cubic feet	28.7 cubic feet

The Defender 130’s cargo area provides more volume than the R2.

	Defender	R2
Third Seat Folded	43.7 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	28.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	89 cubic feet	79.4 cubic feet

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Defender. The R2 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Defender’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the R2’s (7715 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Rivian R2 4x4 is only 4400 pounds. The Defender offers up to a 8200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Defender has a much higher standard payload capacity than the R2 (1760 vs. 1102 lbs.).

The Defender has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the R2 (1870 vs. 1168 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the R2, the Defender has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Defender offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Defender’s standard Keyless Entry allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. An advanced key system standard on the R2 doesn’t offer a sensor on any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Defender to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The R2 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Defender offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The R2 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Defender’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The R2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Defender is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access too more content and better coverage than the R2, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Defender offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the R2.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Defender equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The R2, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Land Rover Defender empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Land Rover Defender comes in two door and four door bodystyles; the Rivian R2 isn’t available as a two door.

Motor Trend selected the Defender as their 2021 Sport Utility of the Year. The R2 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Defender as the 2021 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The R2 has never been chosen.