Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender OCTA

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 OCTA 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 OCTA 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 OCTA. The Land Rover Defender OCTA counters with wireless charging, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate 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 OCTA responds with a 4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid making 467kW and 750Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 5.3s 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, 479mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender OCTA at 4,813mm (3,023mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender OCTA generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender OCTA leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,497kg. That 2,003kg 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 OCTA about $3,734 a year (13.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $827 a year less for the Jeep Wrangler.

Warranty: 5 years / 100k km (Jeep Wrangler) and 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender OCTA). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Jeep Wrangler), no data (Land Rover Defender OCTA).

Where each one leads

The Jeep Wrangler: the lower starting price ($81,990 against $304,500) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,907 a year against $3,734).

The Land Rover Defender OCTA: more power (467kW against 200kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,497kg).

The Verdict

Jeep Wrangler scores higher, 60 vs 55

The Jeep Wrangler scores 60 to the Land Rover Defender OCTA's 55 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Land Rover Defender OCTA ahead by 45 points), value (Jeep Wrangler ahead by 29 points), fuel economy (Jeep Wrangler ahead by 27 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Jeep Wrangler costs about $827 less (10.2 L/100km against 13.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions