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Expert Rating

Land Rover Defender

(2020 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

65
%
C

Used car score:

60
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

77
%
A

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

48
%
C

Reliability Rating:

60
%
D

Running Costs:

31
%
E

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

65
%
C

Used car score:

60
%
D

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

77
%
A

Safety Rating:

75
%
B

Eco Rating:

48
%
C

Reliability Rating:

60
%
D

Running Costs:

31
%
E

Summary


The Land Rover Defender is a large SUV that is inspired by, but completely unrelated to, the long-serving Defender model that could trace its lineage back to the first Land Rover in 1948. The new model shares a lot of its architecture and components with other models in the Jaguar Land Rover family, and carries over nothing from the old Defender.

The new Defender was launched in late 2019 and went on sale in the UK in early 2020. Initially it was only available in long-wheelbase (110) form, with the short-wheelbase (90) version arriving in the second half of 2020 and an extra-long-wheelbase (130) model completing the line-up in 2022. A plug-in hybrid version also reached showrooms in late 2020.

Unlike most models in the Land Rover range, which are built in Britain, the Defender is built alongside the Land Rover Discovery at a factory in Slovakia (so it doesn’t get our “Best of British” badge).

It has received high praise for its combination of off-road and on-road abilities, practicality and vastly improved infotainment system compared to other Land Rover models.

The main criticisms are directed at fairly poor fuel economy and the car’s high price – with a long list of expensive options, a Defender 110 can easily breach £100k.

As of January 2025, the Land Rover Defender holds a New Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 65%. It gets strong media reviews and its safety rating is still good, but it’s let down by very high running costs and sub-par reliability.

Defender highlights

  • Talented performer on and off the road
  • Spacious and luxurious interior
  • Impressive infotainment
  • Slow value depreciation
  • Excellent safety features

Defender lowlights

  • Hefty pricing for top models
  • Poor fuel economy
  • ’90’ models have a small boot
  • Brand has poor reliability track record
  • Slightly sluggish handling

Key specifications


Body style: Large SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £57,540 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: Autumn 2020
Next update due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Driving Electric

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Fleetworld

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sun

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 95%
Child protection: 89%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 78%

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of January 2025, the Land Rover Defender has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Running cost rating


Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models20 mpgE19 – 27 mpgE – E
Diesel models33 mpgE31 – 34 mpgD – E
Plug-in hybrid models101 mpgA80 – 109 mpgA – A
CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
Petrol models320 g/kmD240 – 334 g/kmD – D
Diesel models226 g/kmD219 – 240 g/kmD – D
Plug-in hybrid models63 g/kmA59 – 80 g/kmA – A
Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
Plug-in hybrid models30 milesE26 – 32 milesE – E
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models46D37 – 50C – F
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£362C
Year 2£737C
Year 3£1,193C
Year 4£1,502C
Year 5£1,988C
Overall£5,782C

It should come as no real surprise to learn that a large, heavy SUV has high running costs, and the Land Rover Defender will cost you a fair chunk of change to live with.

Fuel consumption is unsurprisingly poor, regardless of whether you choose a petrol or diesel version. Don’t be fooled by the impressive-looking economy figures of the plug-in hybrid models – every plug-in hybrid on the market scores an ‘A’ for fuel economy, which is the result of the unrepresentative EU/UK lab tests that car manufacturers have to follow.

Insurance is also likely to be expensive, with several versions of the Defender in the top insurance group (group 50). Scheduled servicing costs are actually the most reasonable results here, and even then they are only average.

Reliability rating


Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Land Rover Defender has a poor reliability score as of October 2024, according to workshop and warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partner, MotorEasy. This score only applies to the ‘new’ Defender, rather than the ‘classic’ Defender, and to date it’s only based on a relatively small number of vehicles.

Average repair bills overall are £900, which is higher than most cars. To date, the biggest bills have been related to engine issues, with an average repair cost of about £1,800.

Given the cost of repairs (and Land Rover’s historically poor reliability record), if you own a Land Rover Defender or are interested in buying a used Defender, a used car warranty could be a good idea. Make sure it covers all of the areas listed above.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Land Rover Defender

Date: June 2024
Recall number: R/2024/255
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 11/2023 to 02/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 590
Defect: The incorrect specification of plastic was used to manufacture the oil filter housing. This housing may over time and with vehicle use crack. This could result in oil under pressure leaking and coming into contact with hot components of the engine which may result in a fire. Additionally oil may leak onto the road surface posing a skid hazard.
Remedy: Replace the oil filter housing complete with filter and associated O-rings.

Date: March 2024
Recall number: R/2024/147
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 04/2019 to 02/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 47,815
Defect: The manufacturer has developed a software enhancement to further increase vehicle security.
Remedy: The software enhancement will deploy this update and reduce the theft risk.

Date: March 2024
Recall number: R/2024/145
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 07/2019 to 01/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 15,408
Defect: The manufacturer has developed a software enhancement to further increase vehicle security.
Remedy: The software enhancement will deploy this update and reduce the theft risk.

Date: October 2023
Recall number: R/2023/293
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 07/2023 to 09/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 770
Defect: On plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, it is possible that the internal combustion engine will not start when required. This may occur whilst the vehicle is in motion and the vehicle will operate in electric vehicle (EV) Mode only. When the EV system is no longer able to propel the vehicle the vehicle will unexpectedly slow down and no drive is possible.
Remedy: Software update to the Powertrain control module.

Date: June 2023
Recall number: R/2023/135
Model types: Defender 130 models
Build dates: 07/2021 to 01/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 318
Defect: On affected vehicles there is an issue involving the seat latch in the area of the third row of seats for where injury in the event of an incident cannot be ruled out.
Remedy: The third-row seat back latch operation will be checked. Where the seat latches operate correctly no further action is required. Where a latch does not operate properly the seat frame and associated components will be replaced.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/087
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 07/2020 to 01/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 18,151
Defect: The water pump pulley drive belt can become damaged leading to detachment or destruction. Where water pump pulley drive is lost, this leads to a loss of coolant flow in the engine.
Remedy: Affected vehicles will have the engine coolant elbow replaced. In addition, a turbocharger feed coolant pipe will be replaced.

Date: May 2023
Recall number: R/2023/044
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 08/2022 to 01/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 499
Defect: For certain 2023 Model Year 3.0-litre vehicles, a small number of engines the cam carrier oil gallery hasn’t been fully drilled. As a result, the oil channel could be blocked leading to accumulation of oil against the pressure control valve rubber membrane and subsequently an external oil leak or increased oil carryover into the air intake system.
Remedy: The engine cam carrier will be inspected and where an incorrectly machined cam carrier is found replace it with a correctly machined component. Depending on mileage and engine conditions further associated components may require replacement.

Date: August 2022
Recall number: R/2022/222
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 12/2021 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 2,981
Defect: Damaged front seat belt pretensioner tube may have been installed on the seat belt retractor.
Remedy: Inspect the seat belt pretensioner tube for damage and if damage is identified the seat belt retractor will be replaced.

Date: October 2021
Recall number: R/2021/333
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 07/2020 to 08/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 509
Defect: The front passenger seats were manufactured without the occupancy detection sensor system (ODS) installed.
Remedy: Fit the occupant detection sensor to the front passenger seat.

Date: August 2021
Recall number: R/2021/247
Model types: Defender 90 models
Build dates: 12/2020 to 04/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 1,025
Defect: The fixings connecting the exhaust downpipe to the catalytic converter may not have been tightened to the specified torque value.
Remedy: Inspect the exhaust downpipe to catalytic converter joint. If the fixings are present torque them up to the required torque specification. If any fixings are missing they will be replaced and torqued to the required specification.

Date: April 2021
Recall number: R/2021/137
Model types: All Defender models
Build dates: 11/2020 to 03/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 4,002
Defect: The front seat track end stop bracket may become deformed.
Remedy: Replace the front seat tracks with a modified part.

As of October 2024, there have been ten DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Land Rover Defender to address various different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Land Rover dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Defender, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Land Rover Defender has received

2023

  • EcoCar Electrified Top 50 – Best Plug-In Hybrid Luxury SUV

2022

  • Motor Trader Awards – Best Used Car
  • News UK Motor Awards – Best Adventure Car
  • Parkers New Car Awards – Best Off-Roader

2021

  • The Car Expert Awards – Large SUV Class Champion
  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best Large Crossover
  • Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size Premium SUV
  • Carwow Awards – Best Large SUV
  • DieselCar and EcoCar Top 50 – Best Luxury SUV
  • Parkers New Car Awards – Best Off-Roader
  • News UK Motoring Awards – The Sunday Times Legend Award

2020

  • Auto Express Awards – Best Mid-Size Premium SUV
  • News UK Motor Awards – Best Adventure Car + Best Dog-Friendly Car
  • Business Car Awards – Driver’s Choice
  • Northern Group of Motoring Writers – Northern Car of the Year

2019

  • Carwow Awards – Design Award

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Land Rover Defender, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Audi Q7 | BMW X5 | Jeep Wrangler | Land Rover Discovery | Lexus RX | Mercedes-Benz G-Class | Mercedes-Benz GLE | Range Rover Sport | SsangYong Rexton | Toyota Land Cruiser | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90


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The Land Rover Defender combines superb off-roading ability with interior luxuries, expensive tech and everyday practicality.Land Rover Defender