BMW iX3 vs Land Rover Defender 90
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 28 Aug 2026, price 4 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker 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.
BMW iX3: we're still completing ground clearance, turning circle and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$109,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$98,400RRP
- with the BMW iX3's standard kit: $98,400 (nothing to add; 5 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 BMW iX3 starts from $109,900 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 90 opens at $98,400. That makes the Land Rover Defender 90 the more affordable entry point by $11,500.
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 $120,890 and $108,240 respectively.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
BMW iX3
None open on our record
Land Rover Defender 90
- 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
- 13 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.
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
108.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 400kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 400kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW iX3 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Defender 90. The Land Rover Defender 90 counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX3 gets artificial leather upholstery while the Land Rover Defender 90 offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW iX3 and 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 90.
Drivetrain
The BMW iX3 uses a Electric producing 345kW and 645Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 90 responds with a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 183kW and 570Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The BMW iX3 has the clear power advantage at 345kW vs 183kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX3 is 3.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX3 measures 4,782mm long on a 2,897mm wheelbase, 459mm longer than the Land Rover Defender 90 at 4,323mm (2,587mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW iX3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the BMW iX3 and 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90, giving the BMW iX3 a 123L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.3m diameter
Average
Based on 11.3m 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.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.1 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: swings in
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
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW iX3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 90). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW iX3 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
BMW iX3: Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 67, but the Land Rover Defender 90 is $11,500 cheaper
The BMW iX3 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (74 vs 67), taking 3 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (BMW iX3 ahead by 29), fuel economy (BMW iX3 ahead by 23), practicality (Land Rover Defender 90 ahead by 23). If boot space matters, the BMW iX3 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 iX3 and Land Rover Defender 90?
The Land Rover Defender 90 is the cheapest at $98,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW iX3 by $11,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 90 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW iX3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Land Rover Defender 90, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW iX3 has the largest boot at 520L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW iX3 makes the most power at 345kW. The BMW iX3 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.9s.
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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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