VS
At a Glance
Power
257 kW
544 kW
Torque
700 Nm
950 Nm
Fuel
8.5 l/100km
2.5 l/100km
Towing
3500 Kg
3000 Kg
0-100 km/h
6.4 s
3.7 s
Engine
2997 cc
3996 cc
Choosing between the Land Rover Defender and the Porsche Cayenne is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Land Rover Defender delivers 257 kW while the Porsche Cayenne produces 544 kW. On fuel, the Defender returns 8.5 l/100km while the Cayenne uses 2.5 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R2 315 700 for the Defender and R3 791 000 for the Cayenne. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
257 kW
544 kW
Torque
700 Nm
950 Nm
0-100 kph
6.4 s
3.7 s
Top Speed
191 Km/h
295 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
2997 cc
3996 cc
Engine Layout
inline
V
Cylinders
6
8
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol-electric hybrid
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
8
8
Drive Wheels
all
all
Full Time 4x4
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Low Range
✓ Standard
—
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
8.5 l/100km
2.5 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
89 l
70 l
CO2 Emissions
222 g/km
57 g/km
Dimensions
Length
5018 mm
4930 mm
Width
2008-2105 mm
1983-2194 mm
Height
1967 mm
1685 mm
Wheelbase
3022 mm
2895 mm
Ground Clearance
290 mm
198-243 mm
Kerb Weight
2361 DIN / 2436 EU Kg
2570 DIN / 2645 EU Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5 (opt 6 / opt 7)
5
Load Volume
857-1946 (160-743-1826 with opt 7 seats)
539-621-1557 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
3500 Kg
3000 Kg
Load Capacity
750 l
645 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
8 (opt 10)
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
Optional
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
Optional
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
✓ Standard
Optional
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
Optional
Optional
Tow Bar
Optional
Optional
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
2 vehicle / 8 hybrid battery
Warranty Distance
100000 Km
unlimited vehicle / 160000 hybrid batter
Service Intervals
—
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Cayenne
Fuel Economy
Cayenne
Value
Defender
Practicality
Defender
Pros & Cons
Land Rover Defender
Lower starting price (R2 315 700)
Higher towing capacity (3500 Kg)
Higher fuel consumption (8.5 l/100km)
Less power than rival (257 kW vs 544 kW)
Porsche Cayenne
More powerful engine (544 kW)
Better fuel economy (2.5 l/100km)
Quicker 0-100 km/h (3.7 ss)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Defender or Cayenne?
The Defender uses 8.5 l/100km and the Cayenne uses 2.5 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Cayenne is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Defender or Cayenne?
The Defender produces 257 kW and 700 Nm of torque while the Cayenne delivers 544 kW and 950 Nm of torque. The Cayenne is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Defender and Cayenne?
The Defender starts from R2 315 700 and the Cayenne from R3 791 000. The Defender is cheaper by R1 475 300 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Defender or Cayenne?
The Defender has a braked towing capacity of 3500 Kg and the Cayenne can tow 3000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Defender or the Cayenne?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.