DecodedCarsLand Rover Defender
8 model years from 2020 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2020–2027
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Latest engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 18–20 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 18 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2023 (86)
- Fewest problems
- 2022
- Interest
- 25,171 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Defender in brief
The 2026 Land Rover Defender is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 5.0L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,819 lb (110 5 Seat 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 0% better than the 2026 standard SUV average of 20 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Land Rover Defender has 8 model years in our data, from 2020 to 2027.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 20 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 18 to 20 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (108), exterior lighting (64), visibility/wiper (52).
Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.
2023 has the most recalls (9); all years together count 18 campaigns and 308 owner complaints.
How the 2020 Defender compares
The 2020 Land Rover Defender is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,819 lb (110 5 Seat).
About the Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is a series of British off-road cars and pickup trucks. They have four-wheel drive, and were developed in the 1980s from the Land Rover series which was launched at the Amsterdam Motor Show in April 1948. Following the 1989 introduction of the Land Rover Discovery, "Land Rover" became the name of a broader marque, no longer the name of a specific model; thus, in 1990, Land Rover renamed them Defender 90, Defender 110 and Defender 130 respectively.
From the Wikipedia article "Land Rover Defender", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Defender pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 626 hp, versus about 493 hp for similar 2026 models.
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2024 Defender
27 owner complaints · 7 recalls · 1 fire report
None of the 5 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 5 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Defender changes by model year
- 2025
- New body dimensions: 13.4 in shorter — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 4.4L 8-cyl turbo
- 2024
- New body dimensions: 13.4 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- 2022
- Engine added: 5.0L 8-cyl
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 8 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 18 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 20 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
| 2024 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl | 20 MPG | 200.8 in | 5,525 lb | Not rated | 7 | 27 |
| 2023 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl | 20 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 9 | 86 |
| 2022 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl | 19 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 6 | 76 |
| 2021 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 9 | 42 |
| 2020 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 19 MPG | 187.4 in | 4,819 lb | Not rated | 7 | 58 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Defender
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y | 357 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2026 Porsche Cayenne | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 BMW X3 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Land Rover. How we calculate this →