Land Rover Defender 90 vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio
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 90
From $98,400
SUV
3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid
183kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
397L
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
From $82,950
SUV
Petrol
206kW
7.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
525L
Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender 90 starts from $98,400 before on-road costs, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio opens at $82,950. That makes the Alfa Romeo Stelvio the more affordable entry point by $15,450.
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 $108,240 and $91,245 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
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 90 features a 13.1-inch touchscreen, while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio gets a 8.8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender 90 stands out with wireless charging and heated front seats that you will not find on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio counters with ventilated seats, power tailgate, Harman Kardon audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender 90 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Alfa Romeo Stelvio offers leather/leatherette.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender 90 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 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio responds with a Petrol making 206kW and 400Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the clear power advantage at 206kW vs 183kW. In the real-world sprint, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 2.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender 90 measures 4,323mm long on a 2,587mm wheelbase, 363mm shorter than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at 4,686mm (2,818mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90 and 525L in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, giving the Alfa Romeo Stelvio a 128L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 90 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,814kg. That 1,686kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.3m to 11.8m
Based on 11.3m 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
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 90 and $2,138/year for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
Estimated annual total: $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 90) vs $2,138 (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). The Alfa Romeo Stelvio saves you roughly $171 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 90) vs 5 years / 150,000km (Alfa Romeo Stelvio). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 if: You need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Alfa Romeo Stelvio if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Alfa Romeo's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio 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 90 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is the cheapest at $82,950 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender 90 by $15,450.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio uses the least fuel at 7.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Land Rover Defender 90 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has the largest boot at 525L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio makes the most power at 206kW. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is quickest to 100km/h in 5.7s.
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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