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Audi Q4 e-tron vs Land Rover Defender

2026 Audi Q4 e-tron vs 2026 Land Rover Defender — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q4 e-tron

2026 Audi Q4 e-tron

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 0Audi Q4 e-tron wins 4 of 4 categories
Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

That works out to about $3,450 a year less in fuel for the Audi Q4 e-tron (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q4 e-tron is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Audi Q4 e-tron has had fewer recall campaigns (8 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron is a standard SUV powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,872 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Land Rover Defender is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,819 lb (110 5 Seat 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q4 e-tron and the 2024 Defender have the fewest problems in our data.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
EV
Fuel
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
EV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

–
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
–
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
288 mi
EV range
–
$650
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,100

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
626 hp
180.7 in
Length
170.5 in
73.6 in
Width
79.1 in
63.4 in
Height
77.6 in
4,872 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,819 lb

Safety & reliability

–
Driver-assist features standard
13
1
Recalls (2026)
3
8
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
0
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

4,173
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,171

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
–
Year to avoid
–

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q4 e-tron if…

  • You want an EV with more range (288 miles)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (8 vs 18 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q4 e-tron

  • AWD / 4WD available

2026 Land Rover Defender

  • Strong performanceUp to 626 hp, versus about 493 hp for similar 2026 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron specs →Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →