Land Rover Defender OCTA vs Mazda CX-70

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender OCTA a rating. ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Mazda CX-70. 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 OCTA features a 11.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Mazda CX-70 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Land Rover Defender OCTA stands out with ventilated seats, Meridian audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Mazda CX-70. The Mazda CX-70 counters with head-up display and Bose audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

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 Mazda CX-70 responds with a Petrol making 254kW and 500Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 254kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 2.8s 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, 307mm shorter than the Mazda CX-70 at 5,120mm (3,120mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mazda CX-70 generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender OCTA leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,500kg. That 1,000kg 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 Mazda CX-70's turning circle is 1.0 m tighter, 11.8 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 OCTA costs about $3,734 a year (13.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Mazda CX-70 about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $1,425 a year less for the Mazda CX-70.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender OCTA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Mazda CX-70).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender OCTA: more power (467kW against 254kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,500kg).

The Mazda CX-70: the lower starting price ($73,020 against $304,500) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,309 a year against $3,734).

The Verdict

Mazda CX-70 scores higher, 72 vs 55

The Mazda CX-70 scores 72 to the Land Rover Defender OCTA's 55 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Mazda CX-70 ahead by 46 points), value (Mazda CX-70 ahead by 36 points), performance (Land Rover Defender OCTA ahead by 32 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mazda CX-70 costs about $1,425 less (8.1 L/100km against 13.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions