Land Rover Defender 110 vs Volvo XC60

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo XC60 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 Land Rover Defender 110 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo XC60 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. 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 XC60. The Volvo XC60 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

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 XC60 responds with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbocharged 48V mild hybrid B5 making 183kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volvo XC60 is 1.4s 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, 50mm longer than the Volvo XC60 at 4,708mm (2,865mm 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 2,400kg. That 1,100kg 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 XC60'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 fuel for the Volvo XC60 about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $143 a year less for the Volvo XC60.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender 110) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo XC60). Capped-price servicing: 5 years (Land Rover Defender 110), 5 years (Volvo XC60).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender 110: the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,400kg).

The Volvo XC60: the lower starting price ($74,990 against $100,900) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,166 a year against $2,309).

The Verdict

Land Rover Defender 110 scores higher, 70 vs 69

The Land Rover Defender 110 scores 70 to the Volvo XC60's 69 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 1 of the 4 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Land Rover Defender 110 ahead by 21 points), value (Volvo XC60 ahead by 10 points), reliability (Volvo XC60 ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Volvo XC60 costs about $143 less (7.6 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions