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VW Polo vs Land Rover Defender comparison

Compare performance (207 HP vs 635 HP), boot space and price (17,300 £ vs 57,900 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – VW Polo or Land Rover Defender?

VW Polo vs Land Rover Defender: Key differences

VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • considerably cheaper
  • somewhat more efficient
  • considerably lighter
details

Land Rover Defender

4.5 (2 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • substantially more trunk space
details

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Polo

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Polo is considerably cheaper – starting at 17,300 £ , while the Land Rover Defender costs 57,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 40,599 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Polo uses 5.1 L/100km and is somewhat more efficient than the Land Rover Defender with 6 L/100km. The difference is about 0.9 L/100km.

Defender

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Land Rover Defender offers substantially more power – delivering 635 HP compared to 207 HP. That’s roughly 428 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Land Rover Defender is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4 s, while the VW Polo takes 6.5 s. That’s about 2.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Land Rover Defender delivers clearly more torque with 750 Nm compared to 320 Nm. That’s about 430 Nm more.

Polo

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Seats: Land Rover Defender offers more seats – 8 vs 5.

In terms of curb weight, VW Polo is considerably lighter – 1,143 kg compared to 2,300 kg. The difference is around 1,157 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Land Rover Defender offers substantially more boot space – 786 L compared to 351 L. That’s a difference of about 435 L.

When it comes to payload, the Land Rover Defender carries clearly more – 819 kg compared to 457 kg. That’s a difference of about 362 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Land Rover Defender stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £57,900
Defender

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/100km
  • Electric Range 48 km
details

Frequently compared as well

VW Polo
VW Taigo
VS
The VW Polo is the sharp, no-nonsense hatchback that nails everyday practicality — nimble in town, economical to run and pleasantly composed on the motorway. The VW Taigo swaps a bit of luggage room and rear headroom for SUV flair, higher seating and a more eye-catching cabin, so pick the Polo for …
VW Polo
VW T-Cross
VS
The VW Polo is a nimble, wallet-friendly hatch that makes city driving and tight parking effortless, while the VW T-Cross trades the Polo’s sprightliness for SUV practicality — higher seating, a roomier boot and a more commanding road presence. Pick the Polo if you want cheap, lively motoring; …
VW Polo
Land Rover Defender

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

VW Polo

The Polo is a well-built, comfortable hatchback that blends a refined cabin and composed manners into a compact package. It's easy to live with day to day, offering sensible space, tidy controls and reassuring quality that make it a practical choice for city or longer trips.

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DB2021AU00728_medium
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Reviews VW Polo

4.2 (4 Reviews)
rate
Michel
13 Jun 2026, 15:24:46

Nice, spacious car with many options available (panoramic roof and travel assist).

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): City / Short distance
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

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
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_15
DEF_110_V8_22MY_ONROAD_210721_17
DEF_110_PHEV_22MY_INTERIOR_140721_02
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LR_DEF_130_23-5MY_07_114_GLHD_ALT_310522_72dpi

Reviews Land Rover Defender

4.5 (2 Reviews)
rate
Dythe fourika
24 May 2026, 22:30:46

Fan of Subaru Forester cars, old 1997 model, automatic, petrol.

Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money

Frequently compared as well

Toyota Yaris
VW Polo
VS
Choosing between the Toyota Yaris and the VW Polo comes down to whether you prioritise reliability and efficiency or a more refined drive and cabin quality. Both are compact, practical hatchbacks ideal for city life, but the Yaris leans toward excellent fuel economy and low running costs while the …
VW ID.3
VW Polo
VS
Comparing the ID.3 and the Polo pits Volkswagen's all-electric compact against its conventional small hatchback, highlighting a choice between emissions-free efficiency and traditional practicality. The ID.3 emphasizes electric range, advanced tech and a spacious cabin, while the Polo offers lower …
Land Rover Defender
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
VS
In the battle of Land Rover icons, the Defender and the Range Rover Sport each showcase unique prowess on and off the road. The Defender excels with its rugged design and impressive off-road capabilities, perfect for adventurous souls seeking boundless exploration. Meanwhile, the Range Rover Sport …
Mazda 2
VW Polo
VS
Choosing between the Mazda 2 and the VW Polo comes down to whether you prefer a sporty, driver-focused small hatchback or a more refined, practical everyday car. Both deliver good fuel economy and solid build quality, but the Mazda 2 leans toward engaging handling and style while the VW Polo …
Mercedes GLE
Land Rover Defender
VS
Mercedes GLE and Land Rover Defender go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the Mercedes GLE or …
SEAT Arona
VW Polo
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SEAT Arona and VW Polo go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the SEAT Arona or the VW Polo is …
VW Polo
VW ID.Polo
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VW Polo and VW ID.Polo go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the VW Polo or the VW ID.Polo is …
BMW X3
Land Rover Defender
VS
BMW X3 and Land Rover Defender go head-to-head: compare performance, space, features and price in one quick overview to see which model suits your daily driving, budget and lifestyle better. A clear, side-by-side look helps you make the smarter choice. || Unsure whether the BMW X3 or the Land …
VW Polo
Land Rover Defender

Costs and Consumption
Price
17,300 - 30,800 £
Price
57,900 - 172,000 £
Consumption L/100km
5.1 - 6.5 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
6 - 14.4 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
48 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
116 - 148 g/km
co2
135 - 324 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Off-Roader
Seats
5
Seats
2 - 8
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,143 - 1,378 kg
Curb weight
2,300 - 2,745 kg
Trunk capacity
351 L
Trunk capacity
293 - 786 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,751 mm
Width
2,008 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
432 - 457 kg
Payload
494 - 819 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol
Engine Type
Petrol, Diesel MHEV, Plugin Hybrid, Petrol MHEV
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
80 - 207 HP
Power HP
200 - 635 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 15.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
93 - 320 Nm
Torque
500 - 750 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
4 - 8
Power kW
59 - 152 kW
Power kW
147 - 467 kW
Engine capacity
999 - 1,984 cm3
Engine capacity
1,997 - 5,000 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D
Brand
VW
Brand
Land Rover
What drive types are available for the VW Polo?

The VW Polo is available as Front-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.