Land Rover Defender vs Audi Q8
What's the difference?

Land Rover Defender

$96,255 - $325,532

2026 price

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Audi Q8

—

2025 price

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Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz Eqb250

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLA35

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC300

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Land Rover Defender

2025 Audi Q8

By Laura Berry

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.4L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

13.1L/100km (combined)

2.6L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Electric range

74 km

Battery capacity

25.90 kWh

Seating

Likes

Black elements make design even more appealing
Smooth and powerful 4.4L turbo-petrol V8
Practical but super luxurious

Athletic and sporty looks a winning combo
Drives beautifully
Improved EV driving range

Dislikes

Quite thirsty
No third-row seating
Annoying speed warning system

High price tag is hard to justify
Lacks clever storage options
Small boot compared to siblings

2026 Land Rover Defender Summary

This feels wrong to say this, but it’s so refreshing not to be driving an electric vehicle. There I said it.

After testing so many EVs lately reviewing a car that has an actual engine is a nice change. And this car definitely has an internal combustion engine - it's the Land Rover Defender Octa Black with a twin-turbo petrol V8.

The Defender Octa is the ultimate form of the 110 Defender. It’s wilder looking, more powerful and more capable, while the Black edition adds darkened elements inside and out for even more visual appeal.

While the Defender Octa Black is special, it’s not alone in a world of high-performance luxury SUVs and its head-to-head rival would be Mercedes-AMG’s G63.

I had the Defender Octa Black for a week and while I didn’t take this beast off-road where it is superbly capable, I put it to the test on some challenging tarmac as well as some challenging real-world family duties.

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2025 Audi Q8 Summary

The Audi Q8 has had a mid-life upgrade and it brings a few minor tweaks to the design, technology and equipment.

Plug-in hybrids tend to rank a little lower on my excitement scale when it comes to available powertrains because I usually find the constant charging inconvenient.

However, the electric driving range of the 60 TSFIe quattro S Line grade has been bolstered by 27km, increasing it to 74km overall.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Land Rover Defender 2025 Audi Q8

Verdict

The Land Rover Defender Octa Black could well be the ultimate form of the Defender. There's also the combination of Land Rover style and utility, but with one of the best V8 powerplants gifted to it from BMW. The Black edition adds extra appeal and highlights how stealthily something this good can fly under the radar against rivals like the Mercedes-AMG G63.

Verdict

The updated Audi Q8 60 TFSIe quattro S line still looks good inside and out. It fits a family comfortably without feeling too big and there’s enough here to satisfy those who like the luxury features.

It's price tag will hurt it but the improved power outputs and driving range is a big plus and makes the plug-in hybrid powertrain make more sense.

Land Rover Defender vs Audi Q8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Land Rover Defender vs Audi Q8
What's the difference?