The 2027 Defender 130 may suit buyers who prioritize off-road capability, eight-passenger seating, and an 8,200-lb tow rating. The 2027 BMW X7 xDrive40i may suit buyers who prioritize highway fuel economy and a more road-focused luxury experience. The two vehicles serve meaningfully different priorities.
| Category | 2027 Defender 130 | 2027 BMW X7 xDrive40i |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L Inline-6 Turbocharged MHEV | 3.0L Inline-6 TwinPower Turbo MHEV |
| Horsepower | 395 hp | 375 hp |
| Torque | 406 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD (xDrive) |
| Fuel Economy (city/hwy) | 17 / 19 mpg | 21 / 25 mpg |
| Seating | 8 | 7 |
| Towing Capacity | 8,200 lbs | 7,500 lbs |
| Ground Clearance | 11.4 in | 8.7 in |
| Length | 197.6 in | 203.6 in |
| Height | 77.6 in | 72.2 in |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row | 15.3 cu ft | 12.8 cu ft |
| Cargo Behind 2nd Row | 43.5 cu ft | 48.6 cu ft |
| Maximum Cargo | 76.1 cu ft | 90.4 cu ft |
| Warranty (Basic / Powertrain) | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Both vehicles pair a 3.0L inline-6 with mild-hybrid assistance and an 8-speed automatic, but the Defender 130 delivers 20 more horsepower at 395 hp versus 375 hp and 8 additional lb-ft of torque at 406 lb-ft versus 398 lb-ft.
The Defender 130 also carries Terrain Response 2, an automatic terrain management system that reads surface conditions and adjusts throttle, transmission, and stability settings without driver input. The information provided for the BMW X7 xDrive40i does not list a directly comparable automatic terrain-management system. Its self-leveling air suspension and adaptive chassis are oriented toward composed road driving.
For buyers in Michigan who contend with winter conditions, muddy trails, or towing on variable terrain, the Defender 130 combines all-wheel drive, 11.4 inches of ground clearance, Terrain Response 2, and an 8,200-lb tow rating. For primarily pavement-focused driving, the X7 carries higher listed fuel economy at 21 city / 25 highway mpg versus 17 city / 19 highway mpg for the Defender 130.
The Defender 130 seats eight. The BMW X7 seats seven, or six with optional Captain’s Chairs. For families that need eight seating positions, the Defender 130 provides that capacity as standard.
Behind the third row, the Defender 130 offers 15.3 cu ft versus 12.8 cu ft in the X7. With the third row folded, the X7 provides the larger listed cargo volume at 48.6 cu ft behind the second row versus 43.5 cu ft in the Defender 130. Maximum cargo capacity is 90.4 cu ft in the X7 versus 76.1 cu ft in the Defender 130.
Inside, the Defender 130 S starts with Resist seats and a sliding panoramic roof, while the X-Dynamic SE adds 12-way heated and cooled electric memory front seats, Electronic Air Suspension, and a Meridian Sound System. The Vertex configuration brings additional cabin appointments to the Defender 130 lineup.
The X7 xDrive40i starts with Sensafin upholstery and Fineline wood trim.
Both vehicles offer panoramic sunroofs. The Defender 130 also includes a third-row sunroof as standard.
The Defender 130 runs Pivi Pro with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, voice-activated navigation, a Meridian Audio System, and 360-degree Parking Aid with Surround View Camera standard across the lineup. Terrain Response 2 is also standard.
The BMW X7 xDrive40i features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, running BMW Operating System 8.5 with cloud-based navigation and video augmented reality overlay. Its Connected Package Professional is included for four years and covers real-time traffic, on-street parking information, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
On safety, both vehicles carry blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, emergency automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic awareness. The Defender 130 adds standard Traffic Sign Recognition with Adaptive Speed Limiter and 360-degree Parking Aid across its configurations. The X7 xDrive40i includes Parking Assistant Professional with remote control parking as standard.
The Surround View Camera is standard on the Defender 130. On the BMW X7, it is standard on the M60i and is not standard on the xDrive40i.
Both vehicles carry a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Defender 130 includes Terrain Response 2, 11.4 inches of ground clearance, a 360-degree camera, a third-row sunroof, and Meridian audio as standard equipment. The X7 xDrive40i offers features including 5-zone climate control, Captain’s Chairs, Surround View Camera, and Crystal Headlights through available equipment and packages.
Fuel economy favors the BMW X7, with a listed 22 combined mpg versus 18 combined mpg for the Defender 130. Buyers who drive a high number of annual highway miles may want to consider that difference as part of their ownership priorities.
The Defender 130 Outbound configuration provides a five-seat layout with dedicated cargo flexibility, an 8,200-lb towing capacity, and up to 89 cu ft of cargo space.
The Defender 130 and BMW X7 are designed around different priorities within the three-row SUV segment.
Buyers across Grand Rapids and the surrounding Michigan region can compare the Defender 130 S, X-Dynamic SE, Outbound, and Vertex configurations through Land Rover of Grand Rapids. Browse available 2027 Defender 130 inventory online to see current listings and configurations, or contact the retailer for current availability and to schedule a test drive for an available vehicle.
Yes. The Defender 130 seats eight as standard. The BMW X7 xDrive40i seats seven, with a six-seat configuration available as an option.
The Defender 130 tows up to 8,200 lbs. The BMW X7 xDrive40i tows up to 7,500 lbs. The Defender 130 has 700 lbs of additional listed towing capacity.
The BMW X7 xDrive40i is rated at 21 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg. The Defender 130 is rated at 17 city / 19 highway / 18 combined mpg. The X7 carries the higher fuel-economy figures.
The Defender 130 has 11.4 inches of ground clearance. The BMW X7 xDrive40i has 8.7 inches. The difference is 2.7 inches.
The 2027 Defender 130 is available in four configurations: S, X-Dynamic SE, Outbound, and Vertex.
Terrain Response 2 is standard on the Defender 130. The information provided for the BMW X7 xDrive40i does not list a directly comparable automatic terrain-management system.
Both the Defender 130 and BMW X7 xDrive40i carry a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The Surround View Camera is standard on the Defender 130. On the BMW X7, the system is standard on the M60i but is not standard on the xDrive40i.
