@ BMW Group Press
@ Jaguar Land Rover Media
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BMW X3 vs Land Rover Defender – Performance, range & efficiency compared

Everyday use, family trips or long-distance drives – here’s where the differences show.
Discover whether BMW X3 or Land Rover Defender fits your lifestyle better.

BMW X3

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

Land Rover Defender

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

X3 @ BMW Group Press

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

BMW X3 has a to a small extent advantage in terms of price – it starts at 51300 £, while the Land Rover Defender costs 57900 £. That’s a price difference of around 6600 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: BMW X3 manages with 2.80 L and is therefore decisively more efficient than the Land Rover Defender with 6 L. The difference is about 3.20 L per 100 km.

As for range, the BMW X3 performs significantly better – achieving up to 88 km, about 40 km more than the Land Rover Defender.

Defender @ Jaguar Land Rover Media

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Land Rover Defender has a distinct edge – offering 635 HP compared to 398 HP. That’s roughly 237 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Land Rover Defender is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the BMW X3 takes 4.60 s. That’s about 0.60 s faster.

There’s no difference in top speed – both reach 250 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Land Rover Defender pulls to a small extent stronger with 750 Nm compared to 670 Nm. That’s about 80 Nm difference.

X3 @ BMW Group Press

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Seats: Land Rover Defender offers noticeable more seating capacity – 8 vs 5.

In curb weight, BMW X3 is a bit lighter – 1930 kg compared to 2300 kg. The difference is around 370 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Land Rover Defender offers clearly perceptible more room – 786 L compared to 570 L. That’s a difference of about 216 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Land Rover Defender performs to a small extent better – up to 2078 L, which is about 378 L more than the BMW X3.

When it comes to payload, Land Rover Defender clearly perceptible takes the win – 819 kg compared to 570 kg. That’s a difference of about 249 kg.

Who comes out on top?

Overall, the BMW X3 shows itself to be barely ahead and secures the title of DriveDuel Champion.
It convinces with the more balanced overall package and proves to be the more versatile choice for everyday use.

BMW X3
Land Rover Defender

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis
from about £51,300
X3 @ BMW Group Press

BMW X3

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 197 - 398 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.8 - 7.7 L
  • Electric Range : 88 km
details

BMW X3

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

The BMW X3 mixes Bavarian poise with everyday practicality, delivering a composed ride and a cabin that feels both premium and lived-in. It’s the sort of SUV that lets you enjoy sporty handling without sacrificing family-friendly space, so you get fun and sense in one neat package.

details
P90444059_highRes_bmw-x3-xdrive30d-11- @ BMW Group Press
P90424715_highRes_the-new-bmw-x3-xdriv @ BMW Group Press
P90424688_highRes_the-new-bmw-x3-xdriv @ BMW Group Press
P90424707_highRes_the-new-bmw-x3-xdriv @ BMW Group Press
P90424709_highRes_the-new-bmw-x3-xdriv @ BMW Group Press

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender looks like it could shrug off a weekend of serious off-road abuse while still turning heads on the high street. Inside it balances practical, no-nonsense utility with enough creature comforts to make daily driving feel less like an expedition and more like a stylish commute—rugged charm with civilized manners.

details
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_14 @ Jaguar Land Rover Media
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_15 @ Jaguar Land Rover Media
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_17 @ Jaguar Land Rover Media
DEF_110_PHEV_22MY_INTERIOR_140721_02 @ Jaguar Land Rover Media
DEF_110_PHEV_22MY_INTERIOR_140721_21 @ Jaguar Land Rover Media
LR_DEF_130_23-5MY_07_114_GLHD_ALT_310522_72dpi @ Jaguar Land Rover Media

Reviews BMW X3

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

Reviews Land Rover Defender

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Costs and Consumption
Price
51300 - 72400 £
Price
57900 - 172000 £
Consumption L/100km
2.8 - 7.7 L
Consumption L/100km
6 - 14.4 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
88 km
Electric Range
48 km
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
15.40 kWh
co2
64 - 175 g/km
co2
135 - 324 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
50 - 65 L
Fuel tank capacity
89 - 91 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Off-Roader
Seats
5
Seats
2 - 8
Doors
5
Doors
3 - 5
Curb weight
1930 - 2140 kg
Curb weight
2300 - 2745 kg
Trunk capacity
460 - 570 L
Trunk capacity
293 - 786 L
Length
4755 mm
Length
4323 - 5358 mm
Width
1920 mm
Width
2008 mm
Height
1660 mm
Height
1967 - 1995 mm
Max trunk capacity
1600 - 1700 L
Max trunk capacity
1263 - 2078 L
Payload
570 kg
Payload
494 - 819 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
197 - 398 HP
Power HP
200 - 635 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 7.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
215 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
175 - 250 km/h
Torque
330 - 670 Nm
Torque
500 - 750 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
145 - 293 kW
Power kW
147 - 467 kW
Engine capacity
1995 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1997 - 5000 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
F, E, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D
Brand
BMW
Brand
Land Rover

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What drive types are available for the BMW X3?

The BMW X3 is offered with All-Wheel Drive.

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.

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