BMW iX 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.

BMW iX
From $142,900
SUV
Electric
Electric
300kW
—
5★ ANCAP
500L

Land Rover Defender 130
From $136,000
SUV
Diesel
3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid
257kW
8.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
389L
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Price Breakdown
The BMW iX starts from $142,900 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 $6,900.
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 $157,190 and $149,600 respectively.
The BMW iX qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Land Rover Defender 130, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
105.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW iX features a 14.9-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 BMW iX stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX gets vernasca leather upholstery while the Land Rover Defender 130 offers leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW iX and 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130.
Drivetrain
The BMW iX uses a Electric producing 300kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.1 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 BMW iX has the clear power advantage at 300kW vs 257kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW iX is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX measures 4,965mm long on a 3,000mm wheelbase, 134mm 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 500L in the BMW iX and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the BMW iX a 111L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. 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 to 12.8m
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW iX if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW iX takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the BMW iX 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, BMW iX and Land Rover Defender 130?
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the cheapest at $136,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX by $6,900.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW iX all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX has the largest boot at 500L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX makes the most power at 300kW. The BMW iX is quickest to 100km/h in 5.1s.
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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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