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Land Rover Defender

From coil springs in 1983 to the OCTA's 3.8-second sprint to 60 mph.12

Researched October 25, 2026 from 42 sources

At a glance

Layout
Front engine, four-wheel drive; two-speed transfer case57
Gearbox
Classic: 4/5-speed manuals, later 6-speed and autos; modern: ZF 8-speed auto15711
Built at
Classic: Solihull, UK; modern: Nitra, Slovakia67

The story

Built to replace the Series III, the original paired coil springs with tenacious rock grip in 90 form. The modern Defender adds a D7x unibody and independent suspension, with a comfortable ride in the 110.134

1983: One-Ten launches with coil springs19831984: Ninety joins; One Two Seven follows19841990: Defender name arrives with the 200Tdi19902007: Puma diesel and six speeds20072016: Solihull's Heritage Soft Top farewell20162019: D7x Defender debuts at Frankfurt20192022: 130 arrives with eight seats20222024: OCTA: 626 hp meets 6D Dynamics20242026: Vertex debuts; OCTA changes for MY272026 Land Rover Series I (Series I): 1948–1958Series ILand Rover Series II (Series II): 1958–1961Land Rover Series IIA (Series IIA): 1961–1971Series IIALand Rover Series III (Series III): 1971–1985Series IIILand Rover One Ten / Ninety / Defender (L315 / L316): 1983–2016L315 / L316Land Rover Defender (L663): 2019–presentL663 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones157819202122
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1948–1958Land Rover Series I (Series I)
1958–1961Land Rover Series II (Series II)
1961–1971Land Rover Series IIA (Series IIA)
1971–1985Land Rover Series III (Series III)
1983–2016Land Rover One Ten / Ninety / Defender (L315 / L316)
2019–presentLand Rover Defender (L663)
1983One-Ten launches with coil springs
1984Ninety joins; One Two Seven follows
1990Defender name arrives with the 200Tdi
2007Puma diesel and six speeds
2016Solihull's Heritage Soft Top farewell
2019D7x Defender debuts at Frankfurt
2022130 arrives with eight seats
2024OCTA: 626 hp meets 6D Dynamics
2026Vertex debuts; OCTA changes for MY27
  1. 1983

    One-Ten launches with coil springs

    The One-Ten replaces the Series III 109-inch model in March, swapping leaf springs for coils influenced by the Range Rover.1

  2. 1984

    Ninety joins; One Two Seven follows

    The Ninety arrives on coils with a wheelbase close to 93 inches. In 1985, the One Two Seven adds a 127-inch option.15

  3. 1990

    Defender name arrives with the 200Tdi

    The range becomes Defender 90, 110 and 130 with a 107 hp 200Tdi; the 130 retains the One Two Seven's 127-inch wheelbase.15

  4. 2007

    Puma diesel and six speeds

    The 2.4-liter Puma replaces the Td5, bringing a six-speed gearbox and forward-facing rear Station Wagon seats. A 2.2-liter follows in 2012.1

  5. 2016

    Solihull's Heritage Soft Top farewell

    Classic production ends at Solihull on January 29, with the Defender 90 Heritage Soft Top closing the line.6

  6. 2019

    D7x Defender debuts at Frankfurt

    Unveiled on September 10, the new Defender combines an aluminum D7x monocoque with Pivi Pro. The 110 reaches customers in early 2020.78

  7. 2022

    130 arrives with eight seats

    The 130 joins in May, stretching to 5,358 mm long. Modern 90 and 110 lengths reach 4,583 and 5,018 mm, respectively.79

  8. 2024

    OCTA: 626 hp meets 6D Dynamics

    A 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 brings 626 hp and 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Hydraulically linked 6D Dynamics controls pitch and roll.2

  9. 2026

    Vertex debuts; OCTA changes for MY27

    Vertex adds extended bumpers and yellow front brake calipers. The MY27 OCTA update brings 532 hp and 750 Nm.10

Every generation

  • Land Rover Series I
    Series I1948–1958
  • Land Rover Series II
    Series II1958–1961
  • Land Rover Series IIA
    Series IIA1961–1971
  • Land Rover Series III
    Series III1971–1985
  • Land Rover One Ten / Ninety / Defender
    L315 / L3161983–2016
  • Land Rover Defender
    L6632019–present

Power over the years

From 68 hp to 626 hp in 40 years.

0200400600800 1990200020102020 hp 1984 · 68 hp · 2.5-liter diesel1985 · 83 hp · 2.5-liter gas four1987 · 135 hp · One Ten/Ninety 3.5-liter Rover V81990 · 107 hp · 200Tdi1994 · 111 hp · 300Tdi1998 · 122 hp · Td5 five-cylinder2007 · 122 hp · 2.4-liter Puma/DuraTorq2012 · 122 hp · 2.2-liter diesel2020 · 395 hp · P400 3.0-liter mild hybrid2022 · 518 hp · 90/110 5.0-liter supercharged V82024 · 626 hp · OCTA 4.4-liter twin-turbo V82026 · 532 hp · MY27 OCTA update (announced 2026) 626 hp OCTA 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 68 hp 2.5-liter diesel
1257101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1984682.5-liter diesel
1985832.5-liter gas four
1987135One Ten/Ninety 3.5-liter Rover V8
1990107200Tdi
1994111300Tdi
1998122Td5 five-cylinder
20071222.4-liter Puma/DuraTorq
20121222.2-liter diesel
2020395P400 3.0-liter mild hybrid
202251890/110 5.0-liter supercharged V8
2024626OCTA 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
2026532MY27 OCTA update (announced 2026)

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Defender 90/110/130 and County

    Standard

    Defender 90/110/130 and County

    1990–2016

  • Standard

    Defender Standard, S, SE, HSE, X and X-Dynamic

    2020–present

  • Special

    Defender 130 Outbound

    2024

    395 hp
  • Defender 90/110 V8

    Performance

    Defender 90/110 V8

    2022

    518 hp
  • Defender OCTA

    Performance

    Defender OCTA

  • Defender 110 Trophy Edition

    Special

    Defender 110 Trophy Edition

  • North American Specification Defender 90/110

    Limited

    North American Specification Defender 90/110

    1993–1997

  • Limited

    Defender Tomb Raider

    2001

    250 built

  • Limited

    Defender Works V8 70th Edition

    2018

    399 hp

  • Limited

    Defender 90SV

    1993

    90 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Classic models combine a full-length hood, wheel-arch extensions and a tall one-piece windshield.5
  • Modern models have Alpine roof windows and squared wheel arches.8
  • Modern 90 has three doors; 110 and 130 have five, with extra rear overhang on the 130.7

Year by year

  1. 1984

    Wind-up windows arrive; the earliest 110s have sliding window panels.5

  2. 1991 model year

    Ninety and One Ten become Defender 90 and 110, with Defender front badges and model-specific rear badges.5

  3. 2007–2016

    Land Rover letters move to the hood edge above a blank badge panel; Puma models get a new dashboard, and Station Wagons gain forward-facing rear seats.15

  4. 2023

    The County Exterior Pack adds door-side graphics and contrasting roof and tailgate colors to the modern 110.13

  5. 2026 model year

    New headlight signatures, flush smoked rear lights and a standard gloss-black grille bar distinguish the facelift.717

  6. July 2026

    Vertex arrives with extended bumpers, a black tail-door spoiler, yellow front brake calipers and yellow rear recovery eyes.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Land Rover Series III

    Look for the classic Defender's wheel-arch extensions and taller one-piece windshield.5

  • Photo of a Land Rover Defender
    Defender
    Photo of a Ineos Grenadier
    Ineos Grenadier

    Ineos Grenadier

    Look for the Grenadier's 25:75 split rear doors; the Defender has a single side-hinged tailgate.18

  • Heritage-style Defender replicas

    Green paint alone cannot identify a 1999 Heritage: its kit includes a retro grille badge, silver hinges and body-color wheels.16

Against its rivals

  • Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster

    Defender vs Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Defender8.3 s
    Ineos Grenadier Trialmaster8.8 s
    18

Prices

Value today $40.1K–$62.5K3132

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K$200K 20142016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $40,090–$62,500 2020 · $49,900 · US 110 base2020 · $63,600 · US 110 SE base2020 · $82,575 · US 110 SE, as tested2021 · $64,050 · US 110 P400 SE base2022 · $47,700 · US 90 base; +$1,350 delivery2022 · $97,200 · US 90 V8; +$1,350 delivery2022 · $104,000 · US 90 V8 Carpathian; +$1,350 del.2022 · $114,600 · US 110 V8 Bond; +$1,350 delivery2024 · $56,400 · US 90 S; +$1,475 delivery2024 · $84,500 · US 130 Outbound; +$1,475 delivery 2014 · $38,060 · 1997 90 V8 automatic, Auburn Fall2021 · $57,500 · 1991 90 200Tdi 5-Speed, BaT2024 · $77,000 · 2022 90 V8, 3,600 miles, BaT2025 · $93,000 · 2022 110 V8 Bond Edition, 1,300 miles, BaT2025 · $26,000 · 1994 90 200Tdi 5-speed, ~159k miles, BaT2025 · $176,400 · 1997 NAS 90, fewer than 1,290 miles, Miami2026 · $156,800 · 1998 90 City Black Edition 001; incl. premium, The Miami Auction2026 · $62,500 · 1993 110 NAS, 168k miles shown, BaT2026 · $40,090 · 1991 90 200Tdi, 3,800 miles shown, TMU, BaT2026 · $41,000 · 2020 110 X, 75k miles, BaT $176.4K Miami, 2025
4812131431323435363839404142
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2020Price when new$49,900US 110 base
2020Price when new$63,600US 110 SE base
2020Price when new$82,575US 110 SE, as tested
2021Price when new$64,050US 110 P400 SE base
2022Price when new$47,700US 90 base; +$1,350 delivery
2022Price when new$97,200US 90 V8; +$1,350 delivery
2022Price when new$104,000US 90 V8 Carpathian; +$1,350 del.
2022Price when new$114,600US 110 V8 Bond; +$1,350 delivery
2024Price when new$56,400US 90 S; +$1,475 delivery
2024Price when new$84,500US 130 Outbound; +$1,475 delivery
2014Auction sale$38,0601997 90 V8 automatic, Auburn Fall
2021Auction sale$57,5001991 90 200Tdi 5-Speed, BaT
2024Auction sale$77,0002022 90 V8, 3,600 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$93,0002022 110 V8 Bond Edition, 1,300 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$26,0001994 90 200Tdi 5-speed, ~159k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$176,4001997 NAS 90, fewer than 1,290 miles, Miami
2026Auction sale$156,8001998 90 City Black Edition 001; incl. premium, The Miami Auction
2026Auction sale$62,5001993 110 NAS, 168k miles shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$40,0901991 90 200Tdi, 3,800 miles shown, TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$41,0002020 110 X, 75k miles, BaT
2026Value today$40,090–$62,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “Seven rally rounds for Bowler's Defender 90”
    • “Dakar debut: first and second in Stock”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 42 sources
  1. History Of The Defender | One Life | Land Rover UK landrover.co.uk
  2. INTRODUCING DEFENDER OCTA THE NEW MASTER OF EXTREME PERFORMANCE ON- AND OFF-ROAD | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  3. Tested: 1995 Land Rover Defender 90 Goes Nowhere, Man caranddriver.com
  4. Tested: 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 SE Refines an Off-Road Icon caranddriver.com
  5. Land Rover Defender - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Celebrating The Legend - Last of the Current Land Rover Defenders is Built in Solihull | Media Landing Newsroom media.jlr.com
  7. Land Rover Defender (L663) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. INTRODUCING THE NEW 2020 LAND ROVER DEFENDER | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  9. Used Land Rover Defender (Mk2, 2019-date) buyer’s guide: a worthy successor to the iconic original | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  10. TOUGH LUXURY: NEW DEFENDER VERTEX LEADS DESIGN AND ACCESSORY UPDATE | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  11. DEFENDER LIVES ON: LAND ROVER LAUNCHES V8 EDITION TO CELEBRATE 70TH ANNIVERSARY | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  12. LAND ROVER REVEALS NEW DEFENDER V8 AND EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EDITIONS FOR 2022 | JLR Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  13. DEFENDER LINE UP GROWS WITH HOST OF NEW OFFERINGS INCLUDING THE LUXURIOUS DEFENDER 130 OUTBOUND | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  14. New Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition Inspired by No Time to Die landroverusa.com
  15. Land Rover Launches A Year Of Defender Celebrations With Giant 1km Sand Drawing And Trio Of Limited Editions | JLR Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  16. Defender Buying Guide: Upgrades and Special Editions landroverhub.co.uk
  17. DEFENDER UPGRADED: THE UNSTOPPABLE 4X4 IS NOW EVEN MORE DISTINCTIVE AND EASY TO USE | Defender Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  18. Land Rover Defender vs Ineos Grenadier vs Ford Ranger Raptor: the ultimate off-road shootout | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. Land Rover series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. The Defender Story landrover.com
  21. Land Rover Series II | Vehicle History | John Craddock johncraddockltd.co.uk
  22. Land Rover Series 3 | Vehicle History | John Craddock johncraddockltd.co.uk
  23. Land Rover Defender (1983-2016) review | evo evo.co.uk
  24. DEFENDER GOES RALLYING: BOWLER TRANSFORMS REBORN ICON FOR 2022 CHALLENGE SERIES | JLR Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  25. DEFENDER RALLY MAKE HISTORY WITH DEBUT DAKAR VICTORY | Defender Rally Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  26. ROKAS BACIUŠKA AND ORIOL VIDAL CROWNED 2026 FIA RALLY-RAID STOCK DRIVERS' AND CO-DRIVERS' CHAMPIONS IN DEFENDER RALLY'S DEBUT WORLD RALLY-RAID CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON | Defender Rally Media Newsroom media.jlr.com
  27. Online Collections - Details Page britishmotormuseum.co.uk
  28. NEW LAND ROVER DEFENDER. IT DOES ALL ITS OWN STUNTS. | JLR Corporate Website jlr.com
  29. Forza Horizon 5 Car List forza.net
  30. Land Rover Defender Octa review – the super SUV that’s more fun than sports cars | evo evo.co.uk
  31. 1991 Land Rover Defender 90 200Tdi 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $40,090 on October 13, 2026 (Lot #268,089) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1993 Land Rover Defender 110 NAS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $62,500 on September 29, 2026 (Lot #265,625) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. Used Land Rover Defender (Mk1, 1990-2016) review - What should you look for? | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  34. 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 Yearlong Test Verdict: Tough to Top motortrend.com
  35. 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 | Auburn Fall 2014 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  36. Bonhams Cars : 1998 Land Rover Defender 90 'City Black' â013 Edition 001 VIN. SALLDVA68WA142431 carsd.bonhams.com
  37. 2001 Land Rover Defender 90 County TD5 For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  38. 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 V8 Bond Edition for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $93,000 on December 8, 2025 (Lot #222,489) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 1997 Land Rover NAS Defender 90 | Miami 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  40. 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 X for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $41,000 on January 29, 2026 (Lot #228,198) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. 1994 Land Rover Defender 90 200Tdi 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on November 20, 2025 (Lot #220,430) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. 2022 Land Rover Defender 90 V8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $77,000 on March 1, 2024 (Lot #138,076) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • landrover.co.uk
  • media.jlr.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • landroverusa.com
  • landroverhub.co.uk
  • landrover.com
  • johncraddockltd.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • britishmotormuseum.co.uk
  • jlr.com
  • forza.net
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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