The 2024 Land Rover Defender packs legitimate off-road capability — provided you pick the right options — and makes no sacrifice in on-road comfort. It's an admirable accomplishment. Overall, we're impressed with this modern interpretation of a classic nameplate.
In recent years, off-road-capable vehicles have enjoyed a renaissance. Perhaps being cooped up at home for a few years got everyone yearning for the great outdoors. If you're looking to do some exploring in the wild but prefer to do it in relative luxury, Land Rover has traditionally been the go-to carmaker, and its most accomplished model is the 2024 Land Rover Defender. This boxy retro-revival SUV is available as a two-door two-row (Defender 90), a four-door two-row (Defender 110) and a long-wheelbase three-row (Defender 130).
2024 Land Rover Defender 130 X-Dynamic SE CARFAX One-Owner. 4WD Fuji White HEATED STEERING WHEEL, BACKUP CAMERA, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROI...
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We drove the 2024 Land Rover Defender on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
8/10
How does the Defender drive? Strong off-road capability typically comes at the expense of on-road handling and steering precision. But that isn't the case here. The Defender drives just like a luxury SUV should, and its transmission provides smooth and often imperceptible gear changes. The brakes are easy to control for smooth stops around town.
As for acceleration, we clocked a 0-60 mph sprint of 6.7 seconds for the Defender 110 and 6.2 seconds for the Defender 90 when equipped with the inline six-cylinder engine. That's plenty quick for an off-road-oriented SUV. Still, with 395 hp, you might expect a little more. Weight might be a culprit — our test Defenders weighed in at a portly 5,207 and 5,571 pounds for the two-door 90 and four-door 110, respectively.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the Defender? The Defender travels down the road with the refinement you'd expect of a luxury-priced Land Rover. The interior remains quiet and relatively free from road vibrations even when riding on the optional 20-inch wheels and all-terrain tires. In terms of ride quality, our test vehicle was on the firm side when going over bumps and road imperfections, but it was likely the result of those larger, heavier wheels (18-inch wheels are standard).
The driver's seat provides a wide range of adjustment. Heating and ventilation are optional. The climate system is able to maintain a comfortable temperature, though you might need to dial in a slightly lower target temperature and fiddle with the vents to get the airflow you want.
Interior
8/10
How’s the interior? The Defender's massive second row and tall roof give the cabin a very roomy feel. It's worth noting that passenger space remains the same whether you choose the 110 or the 90. Headroom, legroom and shoulder room are plentiful, though the steering column can get in the way of some drivers' knees when they get in. We'd recommend against the front center jump seat since its usefulness is minimal and it removes a good amount of otherwise convenient storage.
The height-adjusting air suspension, numerous grab handles and large doors make access easy in the 110, but climbing into the back of the two-door 90 will be a chore for most.
A few interior controls have steep learning curves. The climate control dials, for example, double as drive mode selectors and seat heating/ventilation adjustment. If they were touchscreen controls, they'd be a lot simpler and more intuitive. Large windows and appropriately sized mirrors make outward visibility a non-issue, and the cabin is far quieter than we'd expect of any off-road vehicle.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? The wide entertainment touchscreen and available digital gauge cluster are attractive and generally respond quickly to inputs. The native voice command system was a bit hit or miss in our tests. We had no difficulty changing stereo stations using natural language, but it couldn't decipher basic navigation requests. Fortunately you can use your smartphone's voice controls on Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which are standard. Numerous connectivity options include wireless charging and multiple USB ports.
As for driving aids, the surround-view camera system helps both in parking lots and going off-road, and it provides a comprehensive view of whatever obstacle you're approaching. Adaptive cruise control is pleasant as well and makes appropriate speed corrections smoothly.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The four-door Defender has a generous amount of storage space (34 cubic feet), both with the rear seats up or lowered for maximum capacity. The rear seats are heavy, and it can take some oomph to push them back in place. That all changes if you opt for the shorter 90. Cargo capacity is cut by more than half, and folding the rear seatbacks is a huge hassle because it requires you remove the bottom seat cushion. If you need to carry cargo, don't get the 90.
When the Defender is equipped with the air suspension, you can lower the ride height from the cargo area to make loading heavy objects a little easier. Unlike like most SUVs, the Defender has a swing-out tailgate instead of a liftgate. It swings out toward the curb, which not everyone will like because it can impede access. It's also heavy due to the mounted spare tire.
Inside, the Defender has long shelves for the front seats and multilevel storage by the center console. There are numerous places to store small items but none large enough to hold a medium-size handbag. The sheer size of the second row makes car seat installation easy with the 110, but you'll struggle to get a seat by the front pass-through with the 90. Once back there, however, the access to the attachment points is decent.
An available tow package allows the Defender to tow 8,200 pounds. But it doesn't include a trailer brake controller, which you'll want to help control and adjust a heavy trailer's brakes.
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? Both the Defender 110 and 90 equipped with the 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder get an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined. That's higher than most off-road-oriented SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser and 4Runner, as well as the pricier Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Jeep Wrangler advertises higher figures with most of its engines.
Value
7/10
Is the Defender a good value? The Defender has a comfortable entry price in the mid-$50,000s. When optioned sensibly, it marries off-road capability and on-road refinement in a way that justifies paying the premium for it over, say, the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner. Even equipped with a fair number of options, it costs less than the Toyota Land Cruiser.
On the downside, our test vehicle had multiple misaligned body panels and a few interior rattles. The interior materials didn't quite seem to reflect the $72,000 as-tested price — they were already showing signs of wear, markings and stains. Our test vehicle was an early build version that was undoubtedly used hard, but hard use is what a Defender should be built to withstand.
Wildcard
8/10
Personality is important to the Defender, and the new one gets the important parts of the classic Defender's proportions right. It looks cool from most angles, but we still think the front end looks a bit soft, and the optional plastic bits on the hood that are styled to look like diamond-plated metal elicit plenty of chuckles. We wish it looked a bit tougher.
The Defender drives with refinement and dignity whether you're on- or off-road. While the level of electronic control is nifty, we find it more satisfying to manually engage diff locks and low range with physical buttons and levers. Still, it's hard to argue with the seamlessness of the Defender's approach.
2024 Land Rover Defender trim level differences
The 2024 Land Rover Defender is available in three body styles. The Defender 90 is the shorter two-door model, the Defender 110 has four doors and two rows, and the Defender 130 has a longer wheelbase and three rows of seating. The new Defender 130 Outbound ditches the third row to greatly increase cargo capacity. An optional front jump seat can be added to the Defender 90, and the Defender 110 is eligible for a two-passenger third row (though not in conjunction with the front jump seat). Compare the 2024 Land Rover Defender trim levels in-depth.
Which Defender trim does Edmunds recommend?
The Land Rover Defender's claim to fame is its extraordinary off-road capabilities, so we recommend capitalizing on that with the X trim. You get all of the best all-terrain features, including the height-adjustable adaptive air suspension that not only allows for more ground clearance but also provides a more comfortable on-road ride.
Competitors to consider
Outside of the Land Rover lineup, there are few luxury SUVs that compete against the Defender. The Lexus LX 600 is one of them, but it has some rather sizable flaws that keep us from recommending it over the Land Rover. Instead, we recommend you check out the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, which are also extraordinary off-roaders. They're not anywhere as luxurious as the Defender, but they'll save you a ton of money. There's a lot to like about the 2024 Land Rover Defender and the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. We cover them all in our detailed Expert Rating below.
Edmunds spotlight: Changes for the 2024 Defender
For 2024, the big Defender 130 is available in a new Outbound trim that removes the third row for a significantly larger cargo capacity. That should be a great pick for those who enjoy the outdoors but aren't interested in roughing it. In other news, a midrange V8 engine debuts for the larger models and a new County Exterior appearance package is now offered.
The 2024 Land Rover Defender has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 6 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
6 recalls found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
26V389000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
D120
Number of vehicles affected:
250857
Defect Description:
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 driver’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Defect Consequence:
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Recall Number:
26V248000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
D126 H575
Number of vehicles affected:
170169
Defect Description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Defect Consequence:
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed June 12, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Recall Number:
25V016000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N972
Manufactured from:
2023-04-18 to 2023-09-08
Number of vehicles affected:
28370
Defect Description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will update the touchscreen software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N972.
Recall Number:
24V678000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N927
Manufactured from:
2023-09-08 to 2023-09-11
Number of vehicles affected:
180
Defect Description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) may overheat and cause the 3D surround camera images, including the rearview camera image, not to display.
Defect Consequence:
A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the NFSM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N927.
Recall Number:
24V450000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N908
Manufactured from:
2023-11-29 to 2023-12-21
Number of vehicles affected:
2013
Defect Description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Defect Consequence:
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.
Recall Number:
24E102000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
N964
Number of vehicles affected:
485
Defect Description:
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:
A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N964.
Overall, owner sentiment is mixed. Many owners like the smooth ride, strong power, roomy cabin, and handy tech. Some owners also praise how well it drives on roads and rough trails. But others had big problems like cracked windshields, software glitches, and expensive repairs or poor service.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
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