Lotus Emira vs Land Rover Defender 130
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Lotus Emira
From $207,990
Coupe
Turbo petrol
268kW
8.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
390L
Land Rover Defender 130
From $114,500
SUV
3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid
257kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
389L
Price Breakdown
The Lotus Emira starts from $207,990 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 130 opens at $114,500. That makes the Land Rover Defender 130 the more affordable entry point by $93,490.
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 $228,789 and $125,950 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
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lotus Emira stands out with head-up display and Harman Kardon audio that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with wireless charging, Meridian audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Lotus Emira uses a Turbo petrol producing 268kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed dual clutch to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.1 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 130 responds with a 3.0 i6 D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 257kW and 700Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
The Lotus Emira has the clear power advantage at 268kW vs 257kW. In the real-world sprint, the Lotus Emira is 2.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lotus Emira measures 4,413mm long on a 2,575mm wheelbase, 686mm shorter than the Land Rover Defender 130 at 5,099mm (3,587mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Land Rover Defender 130 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 390L in the Lotus Emira and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the Lotus Emira a 1L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 4.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.8m diameter
Large
Based on 12.8m 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 $2,480/year for the Lotus Emira and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $171 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 130.
Estimated annual total: $2,480 (Lotus Emira) vs $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130). The Land Rover Defender 130 saves you roughly $171 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 100,000km (Lotus Emira) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). The Land Rover Defender 130 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lotus Emira if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Lotus Emira and Land Rover Defender 130 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Land Rover Defender 130 will save you roughly $171 a year in fuel. The Land Rover Defender 130 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lotus Emira and Land Rover Defender 130?
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the cheapest at $114,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lotus Emira by $93,490.
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 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Emira has the largest boot at 390L.
Which can tow the most?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Land Rover Defender 130 has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lotus Emira makes the most power at 268kW. The Lotus Emira is quickest to 100km/h in 4.1s.
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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