BMW X5 vs Land Rover Defender (2026)
BMW X5 (₹96.90 Lakh – ₹1.12 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 BMW X5 is more affordable — it starts ₹10.10 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender.
- The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against null bhp.
Specification Comparison
Shortlisting a third car? See the full three-way comparison →
BMW X5 in short
The X5 is BMW's large luxury SUV for India, facelifted in 2023 and priced ₹96.90 lakh to ₹1.12 crore across four variants — six-cylinder petrol (40i) and diesel (30d), each in xLine and M Sport trims. Every variant is a 3.0L six with xDrive, and the 645-litre boot leads the class. Local assembly keeps it under the Mercedes-Benz GLE's ₹1.00 crore entry. The GLE and Audi Q7 are its rivals; the Q7 counters with seven seats.
Full X5 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: X5 or Defender?
The BMW X5 is more affordable — it starts ₹10.10 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender. (Ex-showroom prices, October 2026.)
X5 vs Defender — which is safer?
NCAP ratings: BMW X5 — not yet tested; Land Rover Defender — not yet tested.
Should I buy the X5 or the Defender?
The BMW X5 is more affordable — it starts ₹10.10 Lakh lower than the Land Rover Defender. The Land Rover Defender is the more powerful car, with 626 bhp against null bhp. Beyond the numbers, shortlist by test-driving both — ride quality and dealer experience differ by city.