Land Rover Defender alternatives
Searching for cars similar to the Land Rover Defender? Here are some of our favourite rivals
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By Tia Harrison-North
Last updated: 13 June 2025
If you’re searching for cars like the Land Rover Defender, you’re probably after something rugged, flashy and ready for anything.
The Defender is one of the best 4x4s and feels luxurious while still being massively capable.
Ben Welham, our motoring journalist, tried the Defender 90 and said: “Even if you’re never going to make use of its incredible off-road abilities (which would be a shame), it’s reassuring to know they’re there. You might just need them if we have a particularly snowy winter.
And in a world where cars are good but variations on a theme, it’s a pleasure to know the Defender still marches to the beat of its own drum.”
Take a look at some Defender alternatives in our guide below.
cinch rating: 4/5
Interior: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Practicality: 7/10
Running costs: 7/10
 "Land Rover Defender review banner")
Our top 8 Land Rover Defender alternatives
Porsche Cayenne
Suzuki Jimny
BMW X7
Land Rover Discovery
Jeep Wrangler
Kia EV9
Audi Q7
Defender alternatives
Porsche Cayenne
 "Porsche Cayenne front three quarters")
The Porsche Cayenne is another meaty SUV that brings sporty handling and plenty of space. It doesn’t look as rugged as the Defender, but it has that unmistakable Porsche finesse.
It might get the edge over the Defender as it brings many of the features from Porsche’s smaller sports cars while still being capable off-road.
The V6 and V8 engines are spicy (with 348hp and 468hp respectively), and you can get both as a plug-in hybrid variant.
The Cayenne also has a massive 772-litre boot in the fuel-powered variants, while boot space in the Defender will depend on what model you go for. The largest is the 786-litre boot in the five-seater 110 model.
cinch rating: 4/5
Interior: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Practicality: 8/10
Running costs: 6/10
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Suzuki Jimny
 "Suzuki Jimny side")
The Suzuki Jimny is an iconic little car that’s like a miniature version of the Defender. If you like the OG but really don’t need that much space, the Jimny is cute and compact while still being capable off-road.
For comparison, the Defender 110 is 4,758mm long, while the Jimny is 3,645mm.
The Jimny isn’t as flashy as the Defender, but it still feels cool and eye-catching. Off-road, it might even be more fun. Its dinky stature makes it easy to sneak around in and it can tackle all types of terrain.
cinch rating: 3.5/5
Interior: 6/10
Performance: 7/10
Practicality: 3/10
Running costs: 7/10
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BMW X7
 "BMW X7 front")
So, the BMW X7 is much more ‘suave SUV’ than ‘rugged off-roader', but it’s an ideal alternative to the Defender if your main draw is space and practicality.
It looks just as handsome as the Defender, and the interior is a real selling point. Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: “Sitting in the X7 feels like travelling in first class – probably because you are.
“All around you are the finest materials and leather seats come as standard.
“Some X7s even have a cut-glass gear lever and you really can’t get much more luxurious than that.”
He’s also ranked it higher for practicality, with a 750-litre boot in five-seat mode and 326 litres with all seven seats in use. This matches the larger Defender models nearly spot on, but the smaller Defender 90 isn’t quite as spacious.
It does get better fuel efficiency as well, with the most economic diesel getting an average of 36.2mpg, while the Defender 110 gets 31.8mpg.
cinch rating: 4.5/5
Interior: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Practicality: 10/10
Running costs: 6/10
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Land Rover Discovery
 "Land Rover Discovery front")
If you like a Land Rover but could be swayed on the model, the Discovery is a great alternative.
They both obviously have the Land Rover charm, but the Discovery is more of a luxury SUV made for families while the Defender prioritises off-road finesse.
They look obviously related, but the Discovery has a softer vibe, aligning it more closely to the Audi Q7 or BMW X7.
The Discovery also has a plusher and more luxurious interior, while the Defender feels flashy but utilitarian.
They both share some of the same engines, including 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre units. Some also get mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid tech to ramp up efficiency.
Read our full Land Rover Defender vs. Discovery review to get all the details.
cinch rating: 4/5
Interior: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Practicality: 9/10
Running costs: 6/10
 "Land Rover Discovery review banner")
Jeep Wrangler
 "Jeep Wrangler Rubicon front")
Somehow, the Jeep Wrangler feels even more rugged than the Defender – which is interesting when you consider the Defender is often the poster child for outdoorsy SUVs.
They’re similar in that they’re both clearly made for off-roading and a muddy lifestyle. The Wrangler is genuinely capable off-road as well, with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that offers 272hp.
Off-road tech includes lockable differentials, a detachable front–roll bar and some extra toughening. The Defender has the coveted Land Rover Terrain Response system that includes settings like wade mode and rack crawl mode.
So, not as technically advanced as the Defender but still very practical.
cinch rating: 3.5/5
Interior: 7/10
Performance: 7/10
Practicality: 7/10
Running costs: 6/10
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Kia EV9
 "Kia EV9")
Options like the Kia EV9 are giving us the opportunity to experience a large SUV with fully electric power – something the Defender doesn’t currently offer.
It’s still a massive car with plenty of space, and a 333-litre boot even when all seven-seats are in place. That’s impressive for an electric car, as they usually lose lots of boot space to make space for the electric tech.
The EV9 gets up to 349 miles of range from the 99.8kWh battery Air models, so really knocks the Defender out for running costs.
cinch rating: 4.5/5
Interior: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Practicality: 10/10
Running costs: 8/10
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Volvo XC90
 "Volvo XC90")
A Volvo always feels like a rugged and practical car, so the Volvo XC90 4x4 is a perfect rival to the Defender.
The XC90 has less of a rugged look, fitting in better with the likes of the X7 and Q7.
The only area where we have ranked the Defender higher than the Volvo is performance. It’s not a dedicated off-road vehicle, but it does have an off-road mode that gives more ground clearance and lighter steering.
The interior is minimal but stunning, pulling off a really luxe feel with two matching screens for infotainment and driver information.
cinch rating: 4.5/5
Interior: 10/10
Performance: 8/10
Practicality: 10/10
Running costs: 8/10
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Audi Q7
 "Audi Q7 front three quarters")
Again, the Audi Q7 is another seven-seater rival to the Defender that doesn’t go for an outdoorsy look. It’s sleek, luxurious and just as capable as the Defender – though its off-road capability is moderate.
Still, the Q7 gets great ground clearance and makes use of the impressive Audi quattro all-wheel drive system – so you can easily tackle slippery terrain.
The Q7 handles better than the Defender in most scenarios, feeling nimble on corners where the Defender can feel twitchy.
Deciding which is best for you will come down to whether off-roading or casual driving is more important.
cinch rating: 4.5/5
Interior: 10/10
Performance: 7/10
Practicality: 9/10
Running costs: 8/10
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Find Land Rover Defender alternatives
Cars similar to the Land Rover Defender can mean you’re ticking all the same boxes but getting better value for money, or styling that suits you better.
It’s worth weighing up the alternatives before jumping in, especially if you’re not brand-loyal to Land Rover.
Take a look at our full range of seven-seater SUVs to find more models that fit the bill.
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