Audi Q7 vs Land Rover Defender 130

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Audi Q7 a rating. ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender 130 a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Audi Q7 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Land Rover Defender 130 gets a 11.4-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Audi Q7 stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with wireless charging and Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Audi Q7 uses a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection system, turbocharging producing 185kW and 370Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.3 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender 130 responds with a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 257kW and 700Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 185kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender 130 is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Audi Q7 measures 5,052mm long on a 2,994mm wheelbase, 47mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender 130 at 5,099mm (3,022mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Audi Q7's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 12.5 m against 12.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Audi Q7 costs about $2,651 a year (9.3 L/100km) and fuel for the Land Rover Defender 130 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $342 a year less for the Land Rover Defender 130.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q7) and 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 130). Capped-price servicing: no data (Audi Q7), 5 years (Land Rover Defender 130).

Where each one leads

The Audi Q7: the lower starting price ($108,815 against $136,000).

The Land Rover Defender 130: more power (257kW against 185kW), the higher braked towing limit (3,000kg against 2,000kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,309 a year against $2,651).

The Verdict

Audi Q7 scores higher, 66 vs 64

The Audi Q7 scores 66 to the Land Rover Defender 130's 64 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 14 points), fuel economy (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 11 points), practicality (Audi Q7 ahead by 10 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Land Rover Defender 130 costs about $342 less (8.1 L/100km against 9.3 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions