BMW X5 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.
Price Breakdown
The BMW X5 starts from $137,600 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 $1,600.
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 $151,360 and $149,600 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X5 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 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 X5 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Land Rover Defender 130 offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW X5 and 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130.
Drivetrain
The BMW X5 uses a Diesel producing 210kW and 620Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.3 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 210kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW X5 is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X5 measures 4,922mm long on a 2,975mm wheelbase, 177mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender 130 at 5,099mm (3,587mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 650L in the BMW X5 and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the BMW X5 a 261L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the BMW X5 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.
12.7m 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
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,223/year for the BMW X5 and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $86 annual difference in favour of the BMW X5.
Estimated annual total: $2,223 (BMW X5) vs $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130). The BMW X5 saves you roughly $86 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW X5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW X5 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW X5 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The BMW X5 will save you roughly $86 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the BMW X5 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 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 by $1,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW X5 uses the least fuel at 7.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 130 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X5 has the largest boot at 650L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Land Rover Defender 130 makes the most power at 257kW. The BMW X5 is quickest to 100km/h in 5.3s.
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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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