Land Rover Defender 130 vs BMW X5
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.
Land Rover Defender 130
From $136,000
SUV
Diesel
3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid
257kW
8.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
389L
BMW X5
From $137,600
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
219kW
7.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
650L
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Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 starts from $136,000 before on-road costs, while the BMW X5 opens at $137,600. 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 $149,600 and $151,360 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW X5 by roughly $1,285 in fuel alone.
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 Land Rover Defender 130 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW X5 gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 130 stands out with Meridian audio that you will not find on the BMW X5. The BMW X5 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 130 gets leather upholstery while the BMW X5 offers sensatec synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 2-zone in the BMW X5.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid producing 257kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds.
The BMW X5 responds with a Diesel making 219kW and 670Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 219kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW X5 is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender 130 measures 5,099mm long on a 3,022mm wheelbase, 164mm longer than the BMW X5 at 4,935mm (2,975mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130 and 650L in the BMW X5, 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 12.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130 and $2,052/year for the BMW X5. That is a $257 annual difference in favour of the BMW X5.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130) vs $2,052 (BMW X5). The BMW X5 saves you roughly $257 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW X5). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
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.
The Verdict
The BMW X5 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. The BMW X5 will save you roughly $257 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, Land Rover Defender 130 and BMW X5?
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 7.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW X5 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 6.1s.
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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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