Land Rover Defender Quick Facts
- Original starting price: $47,450 (including a $1,350 destination fee)
- Class: Luxury Full-size SUV
- Competitors: Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Lexus GX
- KBB.com Fair Purchase Price
Introduction
With a name synonymous with rugged utility, the 2021 Land Rover Defender has a heritage that dates back to 1948 and the Land Rover Series models. Land Rover officially adopted the Defender name in 1984 and built the rugged SUV through 2016. The new Defender generation debuted as a 2020 model. Built for capability and equipped with an updated safety and technology suite, the Defender is ready for the modern era.
Arriving this year as a 2-door Defender 90 and a 4-door Defender 110 and with a handful of new trims, the British SUV (final assembly happens in Slovakia) provides a refined ride with improved technology and flexibility. A new, softer look belies the strength of the steel subframes and solid unit-body chassis. Now standard, air suspension in the 110 and a coil-spring suspension in the 90 add a new level of comfort in the no-nonsense vehicle.
OEM CPO Warranty Program Highlights
- Limited Warranty: 1-year/unlimited-mile or two years/100,000 miles added to the new vehicle warranty.
- Roadside Assistance: 24/7 concurrent with Limited Warranty
- $0 Deductible on Warranty Services
- Buying a Certified Pre-Owned Land Rover
Key Competitors
KBB Review Highlights
Building on the heritage and hard-worn legacy of capability with go-anywhere flexibility, the 2021 Land Rover Defender is an automotive icon. Recently reborn after decades of the same look, the new Defender takes strong design cues from the classic. It feels familiar with its boxy shape and muscular stance, yet the softer lines and narrow shoulders usher in a modern age of Defender.
This year’s Defender lineup has expanded to meet the expanding needs of buyers. The Defender 90 lineup contains the 90, 90 S, 90 X-Dynamic S, First Edition, and 90 X. The Defender 110 lineup is comprised of the base 110, 110 S, 110 SE, 110 X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE, and 110 X. Both the Defender 90 and Defender 110 are available with a choice of engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission: a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine or a turbocharged mild-hybrid 6. The 2.0-liter delivers 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The mild hybrid uses an electric supercharger with a belt-powered starter motor to amp up a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and serve up 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Both engines have full-time all-wheel drive (AWD). Land Rover doesn’t sell diesel-powered versions in the United States.
The minimalistic interior is simple and clean, with nice cargo space. Anchored with an exposed structural magnesium bar, the dash wears textured plastic, oak or walnut accents, and available Windsor leather. A 10-inch touchscreen sits within arm’s reach of the driver. It is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-enabled and has standard Sirius satellite radio. The 2-door Defender 90 has two rows of seating and up to six seating positions when equipped with a center front jump seat. The 4-door Defender 110 has two or three rows and up to 7 seats if the third-row, if-you-need-them jump seats are utilized.
The Defender 110 has 34.6 cubic feet for cargo behind the second row and 10.7 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row. The smaller Defender 90 has 15.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with the seats upright.
Land Rover has prepared the 2021 Defender 90 and Defender 110 for modern roads and complicated terrains. They utilize an advanced suite of cameras and driver assistance. One helpful feature is the ClearSight Ground View, which is accessible through the touchscreen. This feature allows a driver to see under, above, and around the vehicle to navigate dynamic terrains confidently. Automatic emergency braking, interactive driver display, cruise control, Clear Exit Monitor, Rear Traffic Monitor, 12-way power front seats, 18-inch wheels, and cloth seating come standard. Additional comfort, glamour, safety, and convenience features like leather upholstery, adaptative air suspension, gloss paint, and the stellar Meridian sound system arise as you climb the trim lines.
Most options are presented as packages that are only sometimes available across trim lines. Packages like the Off-Road, Towing, and Cold Climate Packages enhance the capability, while the Comfort and Convenience Package includes a helpful front refrigerator and improved interior lighting.
See Kelley Blue Book’s Expert Review of the 2021 Land Rover Defender
If you’re ready to shop, see certified pre-owned 2021 Land Rover models
Related reading:
2024 Land Rover Defender Expert Review
2023 Land Rover Defender Expert Review
2022 Land Rover Defender Expert Review
