DecodedCars2026 Land Rover Defender
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- 110 5 Seat 4dr SUV, 110 5+2 Seat 4dr SUV, 130 4dr SUV, 90 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 5.0L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 296–626 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 170.5–200.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,819–5,525 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
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.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
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.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Defender — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Defender →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Nitra, Slovakia
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2026 Defender configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 5 Seat 4dr SUV | 187.4 in | 79.1 in | 77.6 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,819 lb | 49/51 |
| 110 5+2 Seat 4dr SUV | 187.4 in | 79.1 in | 77.6 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,945 lb | 49/51 |
| 130 4dr SUV | 200.8 in | 79.1 in | 77.6 in | 118.9 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 5,525 lb | 48/52 |
| 90 4dr SUV | 170.5 in | 79.1 in | 77.6 in | 102 in | 67.3 / 66.9 in | 4,835 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defender 110 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 20 | 0% | $4,100 | 452 |
| Defender 110 MHEV Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 22 / 20 | 0% | $4,100 | 453 |
| Defender 90 MHEV Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | 0% | $4,100 | 448 |
| Defender 90 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 21 / 19 | -5% | $4,350 | 465 |
| Defender 130 P300 MHEV Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | -5% | $4,350 | 468 |
| Defender 130 Outbound Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 19 / 18 | -10% | $4,550 | 500 |
| Defender 130 P400 MHEV Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | -10% | $4,550 | 491 |
| Defender 110 MHEV Hybrid | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -15% | $4,850 | 534 |
| Defender 110 Trophy MHEV Hybrid | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 18 / 17 | -15% | $4,850 | 512 |
| Defender 90 | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | -20% | $5,150 | 550 |
| Defender 110 | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | -20% | $5,150 | 574 |
| Defender 130 | 5.0L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -20% | $5,150 | 567 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Land Rover Defender.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Land Rover Defender (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 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 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal · Jun 12, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V389000 · 250,857 vehicles
- Problem
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driverâs air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driverâs air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Apr 23, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V263000 · 6 vehicles
- Problem
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.
Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners · Mar 18, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V163000 · 582 vehicles
- Problem
- Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket may have an insufficient weld stud.
- Risk
- A seat belt assembly with an insufficient weld may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld-stud on the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D098 and D113.
Not every 2026 Land Rover Defender is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Defender years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Defender | 18 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Defender | 19 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 13 |
| 2024 Defender | 20 | 200.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 27 |
| 2023 Defender | 20 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 9 | 87 |
| 2022 Defender | 19 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 76 |
| 2021 Defender | 19 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 9 | 42 |
| 2020 Defender | 19 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 7 | 58 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Land Rover. How we calculate this →