2026–27 Land Rover Defender vs Porsche Cayenne: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Defender — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (45.2% vs 36.3%) and more towing capacity (8,200 lb vs 7,716 lb). Choose the Cayenne if you want the most power (1,139 hp vs 626 hp).
Scorecard: Defender 2.5 pts · Cayenne 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Defender | 2026 Cayenne | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 45.2% | 36.3% | Defender |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 18 mpg | 19 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 626 hp | 1,139 hp | Cayenne |
| Max towing (1) | 8,200 lb | 7,716 lb | Defender |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 4 | No data |
| Weighted points | 2.5 | 1 | Defender |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Defender 18 mpg vs Cayenne 19 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the Defender — 45.2% vs 36.3% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Defender — 8,200 lb vs 7,716 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Defender: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Cayenne: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Defender | 2026 Cayenne | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 296–626 hp | 348–1139 hp |
| Max torque | 553 lb-ft | 1106 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 17–18 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 17–19 mpg |
| Max towing | 8,200 lb | 7,716 lb |
| Max payload | — | 1,601 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 8 | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Defender lists for a median $39,995 — 45.2% of today's median new price of $88,394. A 5-year-old (2021) Cayenne lists for a median $44,800 — 36.3% of today's median new price of $123,357.
Shop both
- See 2,969 new 2027 Land Rover Defenders for sale →Median listed price $88,899 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Porsche Cayennes for sale →
Negotiating either one?
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More on the Land Rover Defender
More on the Porsche Cayenne
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Defender better than the Cayenne?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Defender — it leads our weighted scorecard 2.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (45.2% vs 36.3%) and more towing capacity (8,200 lb vs 7,716 lb). Choose the Cayenne if you want the most power (1,139 hp vs 626 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Defender or the Cayenne?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the Defender or the Cayenne?
The Defender: a 5-year-old example lists for 45.2% of the new price, versus 36.3% for the Cayenne, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the Defender or the Cayenne?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Defender or the Cayenne?
It's a wash: 18 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Land Rover Defender vs Porsche Cayenne: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/land-rover-defender-vs-porsche-cayenne, updated November 8, 2026.