Volkswagen Touareg vs Land Rover Defender 130
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.
Volkswagen Touareg
From $86,790
SUV
Diesel
170kW
7.3 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
810L
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 Volkswagen Touareg starts from $86,790 before on-road costs, while the Land Rover Defender 130 opens at $114,500. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $27,710.
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 $95,469 and $125,950 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Touareg by roughly $1,140 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.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen, while the Land Rover Defender 130 gets a 11.4-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg stands out with power tailgate that you will not find on the Land Rover Defender 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 counters with heated front seats, Meridian audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Touareg uses a Diesel producing 170kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 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 Land Rover Defender 130 has the clear power advantage at 257kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Touareg measures 4,889mm long on a 2,894mm wheelbase, 210mm 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 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 389L in the Land Rover Defender 130, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 421L advantage. The Land Rover Defender 130 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m to 12.8m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
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 $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg and $2,309/year for the Land Rover Defender 130. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $2,309 (Land Rover Defender 130). The Volkswagen Touareg saves you roughly $228 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Land Rover Defender 130). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Land Rover Defender 130 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Land Rover's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Volkswagen Touareg will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg 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, Volkswagen Touareg and Land Rover Defender 130?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Land Rover Defender 130 by $27,710.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.3L/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 Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Land Rover Defender 130 makes the most power at 257kW. The Volkswagen Touareg is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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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