Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV
2025 Land Rover Defender
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$58,246–$69,380
Fuel Economy20 MPG
Seating7 passengers
CategorySUV
Est. Annual Fuel$2,625/yr
The 2025 Land Rover Defender scores 7.3/10 at Carivo, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs, with 2 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,625/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2025 Land Rover Defender
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2025 Land Rover Defender earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.7/10, while Reliability at 5.7/10 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. We rate reliability at 5.7/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.7/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a suv you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $58,246–$69,380, 20 MPG, seating 7, the Land Rover Defender sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2025 Land Rover Defender, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and reliability scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2025 Land Rover Defender ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $58,246 starting price is about 61% above the segment's median of $36,079.
$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Defender Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Land Rover Defender scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.3 — 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.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Engaging driving dynamics with class-leading power and handling
Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
Fuel economy at 20 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
NHTSA Recalls — 2025 Land Rover Defender (2 on record)
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 with our free VIN recall checker.
Equipment 06/12/2024 · 24E102000
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…
Air bags / Frontal 12/06/2026 · 26V389000
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…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2025 Land Rover Defender that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2025 Land Rover Defender
Is the 2025 Land Rover Defender reliable?
We rate the 2025 Land Rover Defender's reliability 5.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2025 Land Rover Defender have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2025 Land Rover Defender worth buying?
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2025 Land Rover Defender cost?
The 2025 Land Rover Defender starts at $58,246 and ranges up to $69,380 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Defender years should you avoid?
No standout weak years: across the 7 Defender model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.3/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
What problems does the 2025 Land Rover Defender have?
The documented issues for the 2025 Land Rover Defender are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Equipment, Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Land Rover Defender
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More Land Rover Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Land Rover models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
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