carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $54,853–$70,710 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2023 Land Rover Defender at 7.1/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.6/10, while Reliability at 5.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.4/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.6/10. The Land Rover Defender delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.5/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $54,853–$70,710, 18 MPG, seating 7, the Land Rover Defender sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.3/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2023 Land Rover Defender is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2023 Land Rover Defender ranks #1814 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $54,853 starting price is about 52% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2020 Land Rover Defender scores 7.0/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.1 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $58,246 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $58,246 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.2/10 | $56,550 | Read review → |
| 2023 (this review) | 7.1/10 | $54,853 | |
| 2022 | 7.1/10 | $53,157 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.0/10 | $51,460 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $49,764 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts / Pretensioner 21/07/2022 · 22V523000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Oil/lubrication 02/02/2023 · 23V044000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can… |
| Child seat / Vehicle tether anchor 02/03/2023 · 23V137000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The third-row seatback latch may not latch properly, reducing the strength of a child seat installed to the top tether. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Critical fasteners 22/11/2023 · 23V789000 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles modified for the TRek Off-Road Competition. The brake calipers may not be reinstalled properly, allowing the brake calipers to detach. |
| Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Oil/lubrication / Filter/screen 17/06/2024 · 24V450000 | 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. |
Showing 5 of 8 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
Explore the full lineup of Land Rover models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.