Audi SQ8 vs Land Rover Defender (2026)
Audi SQ8 (₹1.78 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 ₹70.72 Lakh lower than the Audi SQ8.
- The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 500 bhp.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
Audi SQ8 in short
The SQ8 arrived in India in March 2026 as a fully-imported performance flagship: a 507 PS 4.0L twin-turbo V8 in the Q8's coupe-SUV body, monospec at ₹1.777 crore. It slots between the standard Q8 (₹1.131 crore) and the wilder RS Q8 (₹2.338 crore), and lands within ₹20,000 of the BMW X6 M60i — the most directly matched pair of rivals in Indian luxury pricing.
Full SQ8 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: SQ8 or Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹70.72 Lakh lower than the Audi SQ8. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
SQ8 vs Defender — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: Audi SQ8 — not yet tested; Land Rover Defender — not yet tested.
Should I buy the SQ8 or the Defender?
The Land Rover Defender is more affordable — it starts ₹70.72 Lakh lower than the Audi SQ8. The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against 500 bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.