Porsche Cayenne vs Land Rover Defender
The Porsche Cayenne is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Porsche Cayenne leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Porsche Cayenne
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 97 configurations
2020–2026
Land Rover Defender
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 54 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Porsche Cayenne | Land Rover Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 24 mpg ✓ | 20 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 21 mpg ✓ | 18 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 29 mpg ✓ | 23 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,300 ✓ | $3,800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 174 g/mi ✓ | 444 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0 | SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM8) | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium, Premium and Electricity, Premium Gas or Electricity | Premium |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2020–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 97 | 54 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Cayenne vs Defender: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Porsche Cayenne or the Land Rover Defender?
The Porsche Cayenne is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 24 mpg combined versus 20 mpg for the Land Rover Defender, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $500 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Porsche Cayenne runs about $3,300 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,800 for the Land Rover Defender — a difference of roughly $500 per year.
What engines do the Cayenne and Defender offer?
Porsche Cayenne: SIDI, SIDI; PHEV, 4.0, 3.0. Land Rover Defender: SIDI; Mild Hybrid, SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Porsche Cayenne and the Land Rover Defender as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: porsche-cayenne-vs-land-rover-defender