Land Rover Defender OCTA vs BMW XM
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 OCTA
From $304,500
SUV
Petrol
4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid
467kW
13.1 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
972L
BMW XM
From $309,900
SUV
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
550kW
2.7 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
527L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA starts from $304,500 before on-road costs, while the BMW XM opens at $309,900. That makes the Land Rover Defender OCTA the more affordable entry point by $5,400.
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 $334,950 and $340,890 respectively.
The BMW XM qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Land Rover Defender OCTA, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW XM by roughly $15,600 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.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
25.7kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Land Rover Defender OCTA features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the BMW XM gets a 14.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Land Rover Defender OCTA stands out with Meridian audio that you will not find on the BMW XM. The BMW XM counters with head-up display and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Land Rover Defender OCTA gets leather upholstery while the BMW XM offers merino leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 4-zone in the BMW XM.
Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender OCTA uses a 4.4L V8 Twin-Turbo Petrol Mild Hybrid producing 467kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4 seconds.
The BMW XM responds with a Plug-in Hybrid making 550kW and 1000Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.
The BMW XM has the clear power advantage at 550kW vs 467kW. In the real-world sprint, the BMW XM is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Land Rover Defender OCTA measures 4,813mm long on a 3,023mm wheelbase, 297mm shorter than the BMW XM at 5,110mm (3,105mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW XM generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 972L in the Land Rover Defender OCTA and 527L in the BMW XM, giving the Land Rover Defender OCTA a 445L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender OCTA leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,700kg. That 800kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m 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 11.4m 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 $3,734/year for the Land Rover Defender OCTA and $614/year for the BMW XM. That is a $3,120 annual difference in favour of the BMW XM.
Estimated annual total: $3,734 (Land Rover Defender OCTA) vs $614 (BMW XM). The BMW XM saves you roughly $3,120 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 OCTA) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW XM). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Land Rover Defender OCTA if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW XM if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Land Rover Defender OCTA and BMW XM trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BMW XM will save you roughly $3,120 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Land Rover Defender OCTA 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 OCTA and BMW XM?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA is the cheapest at $304,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW XM by $5,400.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW XM uses the least fuel at 2.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Land Rover Defender OCTA and BMW XM carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the largest boot at 972L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW XM makes the most power at 550kW. The BMW XM is quickest to 100km/h in 3.8s.
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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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