Released - 2020 Land Rover Defender (Update: 5/10: Fix) (2023)

FAQs

Why was Defender discontinued? ›

Production of the final Land Rover Defender was cheered by workers at the JLR factory with its lights flashing and horns blaring. JLR decided to axe the legendary 4x4 due to difficulties in maintaining safety and emissions standards.

Most of these are windshields that crack for no reason, ultimately obscuring visibility. The other relates to faulty exterior lighting, which can be a major safety risk. Other serious issues are related to steering failure and malfunctioning brakes.

What's New for 2023? The long-wheelbase Defender 130 model is available in a new Outbound trim level for 2024 that ditches the SUV's third row of seats and the rearmost windows to make room for additional cargo space inside and allow for more exterior customization via a slew of available accessories.

The value of these vehicles has been consistently rising, with some models selling for significantly more than their original purchase price. This is due to a combination of factors, including increasing demand, limited supply, and the reputation of Defenders as durable, capable, and iconic vehicles.

Each new vehicle sold in the U.S. must have an airbag installed for the driver and front passenger seats. Other models, like the Land Rover Discovery, received dual airbags in America, but the Defender didn't make the cut and was banned for failing to meet standard safety regulations.

V8-powered Defender (2021) - 5.0 - litre 518bhp petrol

In March 2021, Land Rover introduced a new high-performance V8-powered version of its Defender.

The best Defenders for daily driving are the post-2006 models, which benefit from a raft of improvements, including a more modern 2.4-litre diesel engine, a hugely improved interior and a smoother six-speed gearbox. The quietest and most economical Defender was introduced in 2012, with a 2.2-litre diesel engine.

That said, there are some models of Land Rover that have been known for being more reliable than others. The most reliable Land Rovers ever made include the: Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque; LR Freelander II; and the Defender 110 TDi Hard Top.

This has made the New Defender a very complex vehicle that can suffer from various electrical failures. Commonly reported electrical faults on the Defender range from failed wireless charging pads up to failing rear lights due to a voltage spike or the vehicle completely cutting out.

Finally, the HSE is the best trim level possible for the Land Rover Defender and is what is used largely in the Defender X. The HSE gives memory setups to seats and mirror positioning, memory foam, seat ventilation, Gloss Dark Grey wheels, the panoramic roof, and multiple options for the interior leather use and style.

Where is the new Defender built? ›

Nitra Plant, Slovakia: Makes the Land Rover Discovery and Land Rover Defender.

The new Defender is built on an all-new platform, known as D7X (X for EXTREME) which Land Rover claims is three times stronger than any of its closest rivals – the body-on-frame brigade – thanks to the clever combination of aluminium and strategically placed high-strength steel.

1. Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Defender 90 and Land Rover Defender 110 are fully depreciated in year one. 2. Luxury car depreciation can continue year two at $16,400, year three at $9,800 and $5,860 per year for each succeeding year until the vehicle is fully depreciated or sold.

Since the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Defender and Land Rover Discovery have Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) greater than 6,000** pounds, they can be fully depreciated in the first year of ownership when used for business 100% of the time, giving you the freedom to spend on the things that matter ...

Overall, of all the models tested so far by Consumer Reports, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar has the highest score at 50/100.

As they're not as easy to come by and the price of reselling them is higher, they're a better target for criminals. Not only are the vehicles not being made anymore, neither are their parts. When a Defender gets lifted, it's not necessarily being driven. It could be stripped and sold in pieces.

Land Rover Defender thefts increased by 34% in 2021 after a slight lull in 2020, with the iconic vehicles being targeted by rural criminals and organised gangs who dismantle them for parts. The insurer is recommending a mix of traditional and sophisticated electronic security measures.

Due to its reinforced undercarriage, the car can also withstand the explosion of up to two DM51 hand grenades detonated simultaneously underneath it. In addition, the hulking five-seater is equipped with runflat tires and bulletproof glass.

The Vehicle

Yes, that's right; this Defender has the same engine as the BMW 528i, 728i, and Z3.

Alpine's armored Land Rover Defender is built using latest technology to provide clients with highest levels of protection. Typically armored to Level A9/B6+, this bulletproof Land Rover is protected against 7.62mm lead core, 5.56x45 and M80 ball rounds, as well as 2 DM51 hand grenades.

What is the fastest Defender engine? ›

Land Rover Defender specialist Twisted cements its reputation as the world's leading modifier of the iconic British vehicle with the launch of two new powertrains; the T-V8, the fastest Defender ever to leave its factory, and the T-VS, its turbocharged petrol engine.

Land Rovers have an average lifespan of 200,000 miles or 13 years when kept to a routine car maintenance schedule.

An auction price in excess of $100,000 isn't unheard of for collectible examples of the classic Land Rover Defender, with models in Australia, the US, and the UK fetching top dollar in recent years.

The Range Rover offers elegance, comfort and a smooth ride, while the Defender boasts a more rugged, tactical and durable construction at its core. Here, we compare these two popular SUVs.

It has clearly paid off, too, as the Defender's success since its 2020 launch has surpassed even Land Rover's expectations. Production has been ramped up to match and the brand is now producing 50 percent more Defenders than it had originally planned.

After a continuous run of 67 years production finally ended on 29 January 2016, after a total of just over two million Land Rover Series and Defender models had been built.

2016 – The first Land Rover Defender is retired. After a run of more than 30 years, this model would only take a four year hiatus. The Defender was re-released as an all-new model in 2020, and is now available around the world.

The average annual costs of Land Rovers range from model to model, but in most cases, it falls somewhere between $1,300 to $4,500 per year in repairs and regular maintenance.

Yet, whereas other big, boxy, off-road-oriented SUVs make their owners suffer through rough rides, sloppy handling, booming interior noise and/or compromised interior space, the Land Rover Defender does not. It's practical, refined, comfortable and spacious.

Top speed ranges from 191–240 km/h (119–149 mph), with 386 kW (518 hp), with a 0-100 of about 5.2 to 5.4 seconds. It is 625 N⋅m (461 lbf⋅ft), and uses the same supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine from the Jaguar F-Type. As of March 2023, the Defender V8 is only available in the compact 90, and the mid-size 110.

Which is better Defender 90 or 110? ›

Both the Defender 90 and 110 offer a comfortable ride, but the longer wheelbase and larger size of the Defender 110 can help reduce passenger fatigue on longer trips. The 110 also offers more amenities, such as additional climate control zones and heated seats, which can make the trip more comfortable for passengers.

2022 LAND ROVER DEFENDER MPG

Your fuel economy can reach as high as 18 mpg in the city or 22 mpg on the highway, although your precise capabilities will vary depending on your choice of engine.

Space in the back seats

With those big back doors, though, the 110 and 130 are really easy to get in and out of, and there's loads of legroom and headroom, even for tall passengers. Even the middle rear seat is reasonably comfy, with plenty of room for feet thanks to the fact that the floor is almost totally flat.

Land Rover engines are made at Jaguar Land Rover's Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, England. This plant produces the ultra-efficient Ingenium powertrain family for all Jaguar and Land Rover models.

In most situations, custom ordered vehicles can take between 3 to 6 months to arrive. Throughout the build process, our team will provide you with updates at each step.

Land Rover Defender Off-Road Specs

Note that all Land Rover Defender configurations include Electronic Air Suspension as standard, so you can reach the maximum measurements without any expensive upgrades or accessories: Ground Clearance: 8.6 inches to 11.5 inches. Maximum Wading Depth: 35.4 inches.

A common Land Rover Defender problem is rust due to frequent exposure to mud and moisture. This typically causes corrosion to develop on the steel chassis and bulkhead particularly. But there are more areas too, where rust can creep in.

You'll also want to think about how you'll use your SUV. The Ford allows you to remove the roof and doors.

The Defender will be offered with Land Rover/Jaguar's Activity Key, which has been updated to incorporate a watch. The rubberised band can be worn like a fitness track on your wrist and is water resistant to four atmospheres (40m).

Land Rover pulled the plug in 1997, but not by choice. The Defender's lack of airbags and door impact beams meant it wouldn't meet American safety standards. For nearly two more decades, Land Rover kept building Defender SUVs for the rest of the world.

Will Land Rover bring back the old Defender? ›

The V8-powered classic Defender has returned with an additional bodystyle and plenty of off-road gear. Land Rover is bringing back the classic Defender in Trophy II guise - a nod to Bob Ives's Camel Trophy-winning Defender of 1989.

However, in 2015, it was discontinued, and its farewell from the assembly line was a saddening event for car enthusiasts across the globe. While the new Defender is iconic, capable, and excellent in its own right, nothing can fully replace the original, which is why Defender fanatic Charles Fawcett has so many.

Jaguar Land Rover has stopped production of the strong-selling Land Rover Defender off-roader at its plant in Nitra, Slovakia, due to microchip shortages.

Land Rover still manufactures new vehicles primarily in England, though growing popularity over the past few decades has seen them expand.

Prices. Even when it was new, the Defender was quite a costly car for what it offered. Very early in its life it was a true workhorse, being used by farmers, emergency services and the armed forces., but by the end of its life it was more of a lifestyle vehicle, with prices to match.

The Defender Wasn't Unreliable

We would go as far as saying the 200tdi and 300tdi models are some of the most reliable 4x4s out there. They are insanely simple; therefore, there are very few things that can go wrong with them.

It's tougher than all the rest

The new Defender is built on an all-new platform, known as D7X (X for EXTREME) which Land Rover claims is three times stronger than any of its closest rivals – the body-on-frame brigade – thanks to the clever combination of aluminium and strategically placed high-strength steel.

Until 2020 the Defender was last sold in the US in 1997, after which safety regulations prohibited its sale in North America. An all-new 2020 Land Rover Defender made its global debut in September 2019 and is initially offered with two wheelbase options.

A Land Rover can last around 200,000 miles

The average lifespan for a new vehicle from Land Rover is approximately 150,000 miles or 10 years. This is slightly below average compared to the industry standard of 11 years.

What is the rarest Land Rover Defender? ›

One of the rarest factory-made Defenders ever, in fact. It's a 1993 Land Rover NAS Defender 110, one of just 534 manufactured exclusively for the American market.