Used Land Rover Defender Quick Facts
- The best year for a used Land Rover Defender is 2023 or newer.
- The Land Rover Defender was first introduced to the United States in 1993.
- The Defender features a system that can detect water depth as you drive through it.
Although the Land Rover Defender has been around for decades, it only recently landed on our shores, starting in the early 1990s. For most of its life, the Defender served as a military-style SUV popular with adventurers, humanitarian groups, and anyone who needed to go where paved roads didn’t exist. In its newest iteration, the Land Rover Defender retains its ability to tackle challenging terrain with a more sophisticated chassis, a more luxurious interior, and more modern safety equipment. If the Defender has an Achilles heel, it lies in the SUV’s repair and reliability, which ranges from average to below average, depending on the year and model. Certain years, like 1993 to 1997, can also be expensive, as they’ve become collectibles.
- What Is the Best Model-Year Used Land Rover Defender?
- Land Rover Defender by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
- Which Land Rover Defender Is Right for You?
- Should You Buy a Used Land Rover Defender?
- Is the Land Rover Defender Reliable?
- Used Land Rover Defender Model Years to Avoid
- Can You Take a Land Rover Defender Off-Roading?
- Can You Tow with a Land Rover Defender?
What Is the Best Model-Year Used Land Rover Defender?
Land Rover introduced the best Defender generation for the 2020 model year. From this group, a 2023 or newer model is preferable, as Land Rover began a serious program to address some problem areas during this time. You’ll also find better engine choices compared to the 2020 model.
What About the First-Generation Land Rover Defender?
The first-generation Defender is a true off-road champ, but it’s not a luxury vehicle by any measure. Early models had rust issues. Additionally, finding a qualified technician to work on the Land Rover Defender could be challenging. Land Rover only sold the Defender in limited numbers between 1993 and 1997, so a used model in good condition can fetch anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000.
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Land Rover Defender by Generation: Which Should You Buy?
Second Generation: 2020-Current
The 2020 to current Land Rover Defender models are the most civilized and probably the best choice for those seeking a luxury SUV with bona fide off-road credentials. Slightly smaller than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Defender isn’t the smallest Land Rover but might be the most capable.
Land Rover offers the Defender in three flavors: the 2-door, 5-passenger Defender 90; 4-door, 5-passenger Defender 110; and 3-row, 8-passenger Defender 130.
To complicate matters further, Land Rover offers a variety of engines, starting with the base 296-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (P300), a 395-hp 6-cylinder mild hybrid (P400), and two supercharged V8 engines, one producing 493 hp (P500) and the other 518 hp (P525).
Numerous trims are available depending on the year and model. All Defender models have standard all-wheel drive (AWD), a twin-speed hi/low range transfer case, and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The 2020 Defender is a 110 model-only affair. Later in the model run, Land Rover switches up body styles and engines, as noted in the model year changes listed below.
Model-Year Changes:
2025: The range-topping Octa trim arrives. Limited to just 1,000 units, it features a 626-hp twin-turbocharged V8. The Carpathian Editions sail into the sunset.
2024: A new P500 powertrain debuts in the 110 and 130 models. It features a 493-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The 130 also gains a new Outbound trim, which removes the third-row seat, creating a massive cargo hold.
2023: A new, longer (by 13 inches) Defender 130 arrives, bringing with it a third-row seat. The formerly optional 11.4-inch touchscreen is now standard.
2022: The P525 debuts featuring a 518-hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Heated front seats are made standard, and a new limited-run Bond Edition joins the 110 lineup.
2021: The 2-door Defender 90 arrives, available with an air suspension. Also new is an X-Dynamic model, SiriusXM satellite radio, and new standard safety assists such as Clear Exit Monitor and Rear Traffic Monitor.
See 2000-to-current Land Rover Defender models near you.
First Generation: 1993-1997
If you’re looking for a piece of nostalgic off-road history, the first generation is the way to go. More like an old Jeep Wrangler than a modern-day luxury SUV, Land Rover offered the first-generation Defender in the United States for a short time and in limited numbers. With its handbuilt body, V8 engines, hardtop or soft-top option, and choice of two (Defender 90) or four (Defender 110) doors, the Defender is a proven off-road billy goat. It’s also very plain inside, with none of the luxury trappings afforded by newer versions.
If you go this route, just know you’ll be shelling out north of $50,000 for a well-maintained Defender, and you’ll need a sizeable cash reserve for the inevitable repairs coming your way. Even routine maintenance and parts are frightfully expensive, many of which need importing. Finding a qualified technician to work on the Defender may also prove taxing. Early models also suffer some rust issues, so you’ll want to thoroughly inspect before purchase.
Which Land Rover Defender Is Right for You?
Unless you fancy yourself the Indiana Jones type, a modern Land Rover Defender is a wise choice. We’d say go with a 2023 or newer model and, if possible, buy it through a Land Rover dealer under its certified pre-owned program (CPO), which extends the original 4-year/50,000-mile factory warranty by either one year and unlimited mileage or two years and 100,000 miles. The 2023 and newer models have fewer issues than the previous years, but they still fall far short of the reliability and resale figures offered by rivals like Lexus, Mercedes, and Jeep.
For 2023, the Defender offers a series of trims, ranging from the base model and S to the more luxurious Dynamic SE, X, V8, and Carpathian Edition. The S trim is probably a good place to start if you’re budgeting. It features a sliding panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, 12-way heated front seats, a 10-speaker Meridian audio system, 360-degree park assist, and traffic sign recognition. You’ll also get a full suite of driver assist systems, automatic high-beam headlights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch wheels, and wade-sensing, a system that can detect water depth as you drive through it.
Options include an air suspension, heated washer nozzles, a heated steering wheel, the Terrain Response 2 system, an electronic active differential, and a head-up display.
Moving up the trim ladder adds more options to the standard equipment list. The X-Dynamic SE adds a 3.0-liter hybrid powertrain, an interactive driver display, and 14-way ventilated front seats with driver’s memory. The same trim on the 130 adds an 11.4-inch touchscreen and rear climate controls.
The 110 SE adds a supercharged 493-hp V8, adaptive air suspension, All-Terrain Progress Control, and Terrain Response 2.
Next, the X trim is best for off-roading, as it removes many exterior luxury visuals and add Land Rover’s best off-road equipment, such as Terrain Response 2, a head-up display, and All Terrain Progress Control.
The V8 trims offer a choice of two engines. The 90 and 110 get a 518-hp supercharged V8, while the 130 gets a less powerful version of the same engine, rated at 493 hp.
Building on the V8, the Carpathian Edition adds 22-inch gloss black wheels, 14-way heated and ventilated front seats, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, Alpine interior lighting, an extended leather upgrade, plus unique interior and exterior styling.
Should You Buy a Used Land Rover Defender?
While there are more reliable luxury SUVs, few can tackle off-road situations like a Defender. Many still consider Land Rover a status symbol, so if you’re looking for car clout, the Defender has it in spades. Because its resale values hover between average and slightly below average, you should be able to pickup a low-mileage used model for a pretty good price (compared to a new one).
RELATED: Best Range Rover Years to Buy Used
Is the Land Rover Defender Reliable?
As SUVs go, the Defender attains a slightly below-average reliability score. It has a low rating on Repair Pal, scoring 2.5 out of 5.0, one of the lowest scores of any luxury SUV. However, Kelley Blue Book’s consumer ratings are more generous, with a 4.3 rating out of 5.0 and 77% recommending the Defender. Kelley Blue Book is a sister company of Autotrader.
Among the biggest complaints are electrical issues with the touchscreen and various controls, fit and finish of exterior pieces, engine and transmission hesitation issues, and some driver-assistance systems. The 2020-2024 models also have a few recalls. You can see all the Land Rover Defender recalls and customer complaints by visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
Used Land Rover Defender Model Years to Avoid
If you’re looking at the second-generation Defender, we would avoid the 2020-2022 models. They seem to have more issues, many of which were addressed on the 2023 and newer models, which feature improved touchscreen interfaces, more engine choices, and better build quality.
Can You Take a Land Rover Defender Off-Roading?
The Land Rover Defender was built for off-roading, offering advanced features like the Terrain Response 2 system and Wade Sensing. The best trim for serious off-roading is the X, followed by the V8 models.
Can You Tow with a Land Rover Defender?
The Defender 90, with the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder, can tow up to 7,716 pounds. The 110 and 130 models with the hybrid 6-cylinder can pull up to 8,200, while the V8 models have the same ability as the 2.0-liter engine, maxing out at 7,716 pounds.
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