BMW X5 M 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 27 Sep 2026, price 25 Jun 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.
$247,800RRP
- with the Land Rover Defender 130's standard kit: $247,800 (nothing to add)
$136,000RRP
- with the BMW X5 M's standard kit: $136,000 (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 X5 M starts from $247,800 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 $111,800.
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 $272,580 and $149,600 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 130 by roughly $6,270 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the BMW X5 M. 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
BMW X5 M
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 BMW X5 M 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 X5 M stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with Meridian audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X5 M gets merino leather upholstery while the Land Rover Defender 130 offers leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X5 M and 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130.
Drivetrain
The BMW X5 M uses a Petrol producing 460kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 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 X5 M has the clear power advantage at 460kW vs 257kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW X5 M is 2.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X5 M measures 4,948mm long on a 2,972mm wheelbase, 151mm 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 650L in the BMW X5 M and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the BMW X5 M a 261L 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 2,700kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.7m to 12.8m
Based on 12.7m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,563/year for the BMW X5 M and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $1,254 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 130.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW X5 M) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW X5 M 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, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Land Rover Defender 130: Top CarSorted Score, 65 vs 59
The Land Rover Defender 130 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (65 vs 59), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 40), performance (BMW X5 M ahead by 22), value (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 14). The Land Rover Defender 130 will save you roughly $1,254 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW X5 M 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 X5 M and Land Rover Defender 130?
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the cheapest at $136,000 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X5 M by $111,800.
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 BMW X5 M, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X5 M has the largest boot at 650L with the seats up.
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 X5 M makes the most power at 460kW. The BMW X5 M is quickest to 100km/h in 3.9s.
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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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