@ Volvo Cars
@ Jaguar Land Rover Media
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Volvo XC90 vs Land Rover Defender – Which car suits you better?

Everyday use, family trips or long-distance drives – here’s where the differences show.
Discover whether Volvo XC90 or Land Rover Defender fits your lifestyle better.

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

XC90 @ Volvo Cars

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Land Rover Defender has a evident advantage in terms of price – it starts at 57900 £, while the Volvo XC90 costs 69800 £. That’s a price difference of around 11905 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: Volvo XC90 manages with 3.50 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the Land Rover Defender with 6 L. The difference is about 2.50 L per 100 km.

As for range, the Volvo XC90 performs noticeable better – achieving up to 71 km, about 23 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 clearly perceptible edge – offering 635 HP compared to 455 HP. That’s roughly 180 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the Land Rover Defender is evident quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the Volvo XC90 takes 5.40 s. That’s about 1.40 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the Land Rover Defender performs evident better – reaching 250 km/h, while the Volvo XC90 tops out at 180 km/h. The difference is around 70 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: Land Rover Defender pulls barely noticeable stronger with 750 Nm compared to 709 Nm. That’s about 41 Nm difference.

XC90 @ Volvo Cars

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Seats: Land Rover Defender offers slightly more seating capacity – 8 vs 7.

In curb weight, Volvo XC90 is slightly lighter – 2080 kg compared to 2300 kg. The difference is around 220 kg.

In terms of boot space, the Land Rover Defender offers clearly more room – 786 L compared to 302 L. That’s a difference of about 484 L.

In maximum load capacity, the Land Rover Defender performs somewhat better – up to 2078 L, which is about 222 L more than the Volvo XC90.

When it comes to payload, Land Rover Defender somewhat takes the win – 819 kg compared to 710 kg. That’s a difference of about 109 kg.

Who wins the race?

The Land Rover Defender proves to be wins the duel decisively and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
Land Rover Defender is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

from about £57,900
Defender @ Jaguar Land Rover Media

Land Rover Defender

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 200 - 635 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 6 - 14.4 L
  • Electric Range : 48 km

Volvo XC90

5 (1)
rate

The Volvo XC90 is a serene Scandinavian SUV that mixes minimalist luxury with a composed, confidence-inspiring presence — ideal for buyers who want family practicality without sacrificing style. Inside it serves up a calm, well-crafted cabin and user-friendly tech that keeps long journeys pleasant and tantrums to a minimum, making the XC90 a smart, stylish pick for sensible drivers.

details

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender boasts a rugged design that seamlessly blends traditional aesthetics with modern innovation, making it a true icon in the world of off-road vehicles. Its performance capabilities are matched by a luxurious interior, offering comfort and cutting-edge technology for drivers and passengers alike. Whether tackling rough terrains or cruising through city streets, the Defender exudes versatility and reliability, maintaining its reputation as a robust yet refined companion for any adventure.

details
Volvo XC90
Land Rover Defender
XC90 @ Volvo Cars
Defender @ Jaguar Land Rover Media

Costs and Consumption

Price
69800 - 84600 £
Price
57900 - 172000 £
Consumption L/100km
3.5 - 8.5 L
Consumption L/100km
6 - 14.4 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
71 km
Electric Range
48 km
Battery Capacity
14.70 kWh
Battery Capacity
15.40 kWh
co2
79 - 191 g/km
co2
135 - 324 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
71 L
Fuel tank capacity
89 - 91 L

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Off-Roader
Seats
7
Seats
2 - 8
Doors
5
Doors
3 - 5
Curb weight
2080 - 2297 kg
Curb weight
2300 - 2745 kg
Trunk capacity
262 - 302 L
Trunk capacity
293 - 786 L
Length
4953 mm
Length
4323 - 5358 mm
Width
1923 mm
Width
2008 mm
Height
1771 mm
Height
1967 - 1995 mm
Max trunk capacity
1816 - 1856 L
Max trunk capacity
1263 - 2078 L
Payload
653 - 710 kg
Payload
494 - 819 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol 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
250 - 455 HP
Power HP
200 - 635 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.4 - 7.7 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
180 km/h
Max Speed
175 - 250 km/h
Torque
360 - 709 Nm
Torque
500 - 750 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
184 - 335 kW
Power kW
147 - 467 kW
Engine capacity
1969 cm3
Engine capacity
1997 - 5000 cm3

General

Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D
Brand
Volvo
Brand
Land Rover
What drivetrain options does the Volvo XC90 have?

Available configurations include 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.