Land Rover Defender 110 vs Volvo EX30

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Land Rover Defender 110 at 5 stars (2020) and the Volvo EX30 at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2020 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Land Rover Defender 110 and 88% for the Volvo EX30, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Land Rover Defender 110, against 5 on the Volvo EX30.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 6 in the Volvo EX30.

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.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Land Rover Defender 110 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo EX30 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Land Rover Defender 110 stands out with ventilated seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo EX30. The Volvo EX30 counters with head-up display and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 110 gets leather upholstery while the Volvo EX30 offers nordico/microtech fabric. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 110 and 1-zone in the Volvo EX30.

Drivetrain

The Land Rover Defender 110 uses a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 183kW and 570Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.

The Volvo EX30 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

The Volvo EX30 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 183kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo EX30 is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Land Rover Defender 110 measures 4,758mm long on a 3,022mm wheelbase, 525mm longer than the Volvo EX30 at 4,233mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 110 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender 110 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 1,900kg 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 Volvo EX30's turning circle is 1.8 m tighter, 11.0 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 Land Rover Defender 110 costs about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km) and electricity for the Volvo EX30 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 110) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX30). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Land Rover Defender 110), no data (Volvo EX30).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender 110: the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,600kg).

The Volvo EX30: the lower starting price ($49,990 against $100,900) and more power (200kW against 183kW).

The Verdict

Volvo EX30 scores higher, 76 vs 70

The Volvo EX30 scores 76 to the Land Rover Defender 110's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Volvo EX30 ahead by 23 points), practicality (Land Rover Defender 110 ahead by 14 points).

Common questions