Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender 130

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Jeep Wrangler a rating. 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

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Jeep Wrangler features a 8.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-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 Jeep Wrangler stands out with Alpine audio — features our data doesn't list for the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with wireless charging and Meridian audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Jeep Wrangler uses a Petrol I4 Turbo producing 200kW and 400Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.3 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 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender 130 is 2.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Jeep Wrangler measures 4,334mm long on a 2,459mm wheelbase, 765mm 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.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 1,497kg. That 1,503kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Jeep Wrangler's turning circle is 2.8 m tighter, 10.0 m against 12.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Jeep Wrangler costs about $2,907 a year (10.2 L/100km) and fuel for the Land Rover Defender 130 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $598 a year less for the Land Rover Defender 130.

Warranty: 5 years / 100k km (Jeep Wrangler) and 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 130). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Jeep Wrangler), 5 years (Land Rover Defender 130).

Where each one leads

The Jeep Wrangler: the lower starting price ($81,990 against $136,000).

The Land Rover Defender 130: more power (257kW against 200kW), the higher braked towing limit (3,000kg against 1,497kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,309 a year against $2,907).

The Verdict

Land Rover Defender 130 scores higher, 64 vs 60

The Land Rover Defender 130 scores 64 to the Jeep Wrangler's 60 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: performance (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 23 points), fuel economy (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 19 points), practicality (Land Rover Defender 130 ahead by 16 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Land Rover Defender 130 costs about $598 less (8.1 L/100km against 10.2 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions