Audi RSQ8 vs Land Rover Defender 130
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Aug 2026, price 17 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$257,227RRP
- no option data for this car
$136,000RRP
- with the Audi RSQ8's standard kit: $136,000 (nothing to add; 4 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi RSQ8 starts from $257,227 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 130 opens at $136,000. That makes the Land Rover Defender 130 the more affordable entry point by $121,227.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $282,950 and $149,600 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 130 by roughly $5,840 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Audi RSQ8. 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
Audi RSQ8
None open on our record
Land Rover Defender 130
- REC-006645 · published 2 Jul 2026Driver airbag clock spring connector fretting corrosionYear range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006642 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the connection to the driver’s airbag clock spring may corrode over time and lead to an increased resistance in the airbag circuit.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2026
- REC-006638 · published 2 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the front-end auxiliary drive belt idler pulley may over rotate and cause damage to the oil pressure and temperature sensor.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- 7 more on the model page.
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 RSQ8 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 RSQ8 stands out with Apple CarPlay, 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 Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, Meridian audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi RSQ8 uses a Petrol producing 471kW and 850Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 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 Audi RSQ8 has the clear power advantage at 471kW vs 257kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi RSQ8 is 3.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi RSQ8 measures 5,012mm long on a 2,998mm wheelbase, 87mm 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.
Boot space is 605L in the Audi RSQ8 and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the Audi RSQ8 a 216L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Audi RSQ8 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.8m diameter
Large
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.4 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
2.0 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,477/year for the Audi RSQ8 and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $1,168 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 130.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi RSQ8) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RSQ8 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Land Rover Defender 130: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 58
The Land Rover Defender 130 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 58), taking 2 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 38), performance (Audi RSQ8 ahead by 24), value (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 13). The Land Rover Defender 130 will save you roughly $1,168 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Audi RSQ8 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi RSQ8 and Land Rover Defender 130?
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the cheapest at $136,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi RSQ8 by $121,227.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Land Rover Defender 130, and we hold no ANCAP data for Audi RSQ8, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi RSQ8 has the largest boot at 605L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi RSQ8 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi RSQ8 makes the most power at 471kW. The Audi RSQ8 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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