Land Rover Defender OCTA vs Toyota Kluger

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Land Rover Defender OCTA a rating. 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 Toyota Kluger gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Land Rover Defender OCTA stands out with wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Meridian audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Toyota Kluger. 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 Toyota Kluger offers cloth.

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 Toyota Kluger responds with a 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid making 184kW and 242Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The Land Rover Defender OCTA has the clear power advantage at 467kW vs 184kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Land Rover Defender OCTA is 3.9s 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, 153mm shorter than the Toyota Kluger at 4,966mm (2,850mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender OCTA generally means more rear legroom.

For towing, the Land Rover Defender OCTA leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 2,000kg. That 1,500kg 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 Toyota Kluger's turning circle is 1.4 m tighter, 11.4 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 Toyota Kluger about $1,596 a year (5.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $2,138 a year less for the Toyota Kluger.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Land Rover Defender OCTA) and 5 years / Unlimited (Toyota Kluger).

Where each one leads

The Land Rover Defender OCTA: more power (467kW against 184kW) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 2,000kg).

The Toyota Kluger: the lower starting price ($62,410 against $304,500) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,596 a year against $3,734).

The Verdict

Toyota Kluger scores higher, 78 vs 55

The Toyota Kluger scores 78 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 (Toyota Kluger ahead by 68 points), performance (Land Rover Defender OCTA ahead by 46 points), value (Toyota Kluger ahead by 45 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Toyota Kluger costs about $2,138 less (5.6 L/100km against 13.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre).

Common questions