Audi RS Q8 Performance vs Land Rover Defender (2026)
Audi RS Q8 Performance (₹2.34 Crore) and Land Rover Defender (₹1.07 Crore – ₹2.62 Crore) go head-to-head in the luxury suv space. Here is how they compare on the numbers (October 2026).
- The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹1.27 Crore lower than the Audi RS Q8 Performance.
- The Audi RS Q8 Performance is the more powerful car, with 631 bhp against 626 bhp.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
Audi RS Q8 Performance in short
The RS Q8 Performance is the fastest SUV Audi sells in India: 640 PS from a 4.0L twin-turbo V8, imported as a CBU since February 2025 at ₹2.338 crore, monospec. This is the same engine family that powers the Lamborghini Urus, in Audi's own top SUV. Nothing from BMW or Mercedes-AMG currently matches its output in India — cross-shopping happens against the Porsche Cayenne's upper reaches and the Urus itself, at far greater money.
Full RS Q8 Performance prices & variants →Land Rover Defender in short
The Defender is Land Rover's icon and its widest Indian range: three body lengths (three-door 90, five-door 110, eight-seat 130) and four engines spanning ₹1.07 crore for the 2.0 petrol 110 X-Dynamic HSE to ₹2.62 crore for the 635 PS OCTA Black — the most extreme Defender ever made. In between sit the 350 PS D350 diesel, the 5.0L V8 across all three bodies, and the twin-turbo 4.4L V8 OCTA flagship. All prices are from Land Rover India's official July 2026 pan-India price list. Its only real rival in capability-plus-status terms is the Mercedes G-Class, at roughly double the entry money.
Full Defender prices & variants →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper: RS Q8 Performance or Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹1.27 Crore lower than the Audi RS Q8 Performance. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
RS Q8 Performance vs Defender — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Audi RS Q8 Performance — not yet tested; Land Rover Defender — not yet tested.
Should I buy the RS Q8 Performance or the Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹1.27 Crore lower than the Audi RS Q8 Performance. The Audi RS Q8 Performance is the more powerful car, with 631 bhp against 626 bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.