Land Rover Defender 130 vs Polestar 3
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.
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 starts from $114,500 before on-road costs, while the Polestar 3 opens at $99,900. That makes the Polestar 3 the more affordable entry point by $14,600.
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 $125,950 and $109,890 respectively.
The Polestar 3 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Land Rover Defender 130, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Land Rover Defender 130 and Polestar 3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 85% for the Land Rover Defender 130 and 90% for the Polestar 3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Polestar 3 packs more ADAS features with 10 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 7 in the Land Rover Defender 130.
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 130 and 8 in the Polestar 3.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender 130 features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Polestar 3 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-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 Polestar 3. The Polestar 3 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins 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 Polestar 3 offers synthetic leather.
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 Polestar 3 responds with a Electric Motor making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 245kW. In the real-world sprint, the Polestar 3 is 0.3s 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 3,587mm wheelbase, 199mm longer than the Polestar 3 at 4,900mm (2,985mm 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 597L in the Polestar 3, giving the Polestar 3 a 208L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 130 leads with a 3,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m 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 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Polestar 3). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Polestar 3 if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Polestar 3 takes 3 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Polestar 3 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 Polestar 3?
The Polestar 3 is the cheapest at $99,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender 130 by $14,600.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 130 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 130 and Polestar 3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 3 has the largest boot at 597L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Land Rover Defender 130 makes the most power at 257kW. The Polestar 3 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
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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