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Audi Q8 vs Land Rover Defender

2026 Audi Q8 vs 2026 Land Rover Defender — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q8

2026 Audi Q8

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS2 – 2Tie: 2 categories each
Land Rover Defender

2026 Land Rover Defender

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Land Rover Defender is more fuel-efficient: 20 vs 19 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the Land Rover Defender (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q8 is the bigger car, about 26 inches longer.

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q8 is a standard SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 197 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,035 lb.

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 2023 Q8 and the 2024 Defender have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 Q8.

Basics

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

Efficiency

19 MPG
Best combined MPG
20 MPG
17 city
City / highway MPG (best)
18 city
$4,350
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$4,100

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
626 hp
196.5 in
Length
170.5 in
78.7 in
Width
79.1 in
67.3 in
Height
77.6 in
5,035 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,819 lb

Safety & reliability

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

Interest

7,159
Wikipedia views, 30 days
25,171

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
–

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q8 if…

  • You want more room (26 in longer)

Choose the Land Rover Defender if…

  • You want something easier to park (26 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q8

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

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 Q8 specs →Full 2026 Land Rover Defender specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →