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2026 Land Rover Defender
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Review and specifications

2026 Land Rover Defender

The Defender SUV evokes the charm of the original classic in a modern form. It comes with a choice of four- or six-cylinder turbocharged engines, two- or four-door body styles, and seating configurations from five to seven passengers. A comprehensive list of off-road-ready features includes various driving modes to adapt the vehicle to the situation. With the six-cylinder, acceleration is plentiful. The ride is steady but firm, though handling is a bit ponderous. The front seats are very comfortable and the interior ambience evokes a safari expedition. The new infotainment system is distracting to use. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and lane departure warning are standard. Adaptive cruise control is optional. A supercharged V8 powered version is new for 2022.

Market value
$89,925
Fuel
Conventional
Transmission
Automatic
Seats
8
View listings Find dealers
Model year 2026
Owner rating Not rated
Reliability 2/5
Data updated June 4, 2026

At a glance

Model data

Overview

Powertrain
Conventional
Body style
2-door SUV
Drive type
AWD
Transmission
Automatic, 8-speed
Category
Luxury midsized SUVs
Generation began
2020

Pricing

Current retail median
$89,925
Retail value range
$58,375 - $151,050
Original MSRP range
$63,500 - $168,700
Trade-in range
$56,070 - $143,055

Ratings

Road test score
60/100
Reliability
2/5

Fuel economy

EPA city
18 MPG
EPA highway
21 MPG
EPA combined
19 MPG
Tested city
12 MPG
Tested highway
26 MPG
Tested overall
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost
$2,650
Cruising range
435 miles

Road tests

0-30 mph
3 sec
0-60 mph
6.9 sec
60-0 mph braking
147 ft
Avoidance speed
49 mph
Test status
Test Completed

Dimensions

Length
198 in
Width
79 in
Height
77 in
Wheelbase
119 in
Weight
5,435 lb
Maximum load
1,985 lb
Towing capacity
7,700 lb

Interior

Seating
8 people
Front head room
7.5 in
Front leg room
42.5 in
Rear head room
5.5 in
Rear leg room
28.5 in
Cargo volume
43 cu ft

Environmental impact

Air pollution score
6/10
Greenhouse gas score
4/10
SmartWay
No

Brand context

About Land Rover

<p>Land Rover invented the luxury SUV when it started importing the Range Rover to the U.S. in the 1980s. Before that, rugged and capable Land Rovers were going where no vehicles had gone before, from the desert to the Arctic. Despite its off-road prowess, the brand gained notoriety for building SUVs that frequently broke down and were expensive to repair. Even today, the brand retains its reputation, as Consumer Reports’ reliability and maintenance cost data confirm. This makes long-term ownership costly and used Land Rovers risky purchases. Still, the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport offer comfortable interiors, powerful engines, and a presence that makes them popular choices for Hollywood stars and British aristocrats alike. The Defender has matured into a luxe off-roader, losing some 20th-century charm but gaining creature comforts. The brand is now part of Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata, a conglomerate based in India.</p>

Vehicle ID: 38768 First published: December 4, 2025 Updated: June 4, 2026

Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.

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