Porsche Cayenne vs Land Rover Defender 90
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.
Porsche Cayenne
From $138,800
SUV
Petrol
260kW
12.2 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
698L
Land Rover Defender 90
From $98,400
SUV
3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid
183kW
8.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
397L
Price Breakdown
The Porsche Cayenne starts from $138,800 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 90 opens at $98,400. That makes the Land Rover Defender 90 the more affordable entry point by $40,400.
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 $152,680 and $108,240 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Land Rover Defender 90 by roughly $5,840 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Defender 90 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 7 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Porsche Cayenne stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, power tailgate and BOSE audio that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender 90. The Land Rover Defender 90 counters with wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Porsche Cayenne uses a Petrol producing 260kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds.
The Land Rover Defender 90 responds with a 3.0 i6 Diesel Mild Hybrid making 183kW and 570Nm, paired to a 8-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Porsche Cayenne has the clear power advantage at 260kW vs 183kW. In the real-world sprint, the Porsche Cayenne is 2.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Porsche Cayenne measures 4,930mm long on a 2,895mm wheelbase, 607mm longer than the Land Rover Defender 90 at 4,323mm (2,587mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Porsche Cayenne generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 698L in the Porsche Cayenne and 397L in the Land Rover Defender 90, giving the Porsche Cayenne a 301L advantage.
For towing, the Land Rover Defender 90 leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.3m diameter
Average
Based on 11.3m 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 $3,477/year for the Porsche Cayenne and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 90. That is a $1,168 annual difference in favour of the Land Rover Defender 90.
Estimated annual total: $3,477 (Porsche Cayenne) vs $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 90). The Land Rover Defender 90 saves you roughly $1,168 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 999,999km (Porsche Cayenne) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 90). The Land Rover Defender 90 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Porsche Cayenne if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Porsche's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 90 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 Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Defender 90 trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Land Rover Defender 90 will save you roughly $1,168 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Porsche Cayenne has a clear edge. The Land Rover Defender 90 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, Porsche Cayenne and Land Rover Defender 90?
The Land Rover Defender 90 is the cheapest at $98,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Porsche Cayenne by $40,400.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Land Rover Defender 90 uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Porsche Cayenne and 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 Porsche Cayenne has the largest boot at 698L.
Which can tow the most?
The Porsche Cayenne has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Land Rover Defender 90 has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Porsche Cayenne makes the most power at 260kW. The Porsche Cayenne 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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