How much does the 2021 Land Rover Defender cost?

Prices have softened 10.95% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 703 listings available, which suggests you should have some room to compare condition, mileage, and equipment. If you find a listing below $41,381.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender a good car?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender earns an 8/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

It fits you well if you want a midsize SUV with four-wheel drive, serious off-road intent, and a more modern, upscale personality than many rugged SUVs. The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy and poor handling, plus interior materials that feel cheap. Even so, its spaciousness and capability make it a strong match if you value utility, design, and trail ability more than polished road manners.

35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you a decent chance to find a competitive offer.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is presented as a vehicle built for hard use, with extensive durability testing during development and recovery points designed for serious off-road situations. Its standard equipment also includes stability and traction systems, emergency braking, and driver-assistance features that support everyday confidence.

The performance notes point to a capable, well-rounded SUV that can handle commuting, errands, and trail use, while the cost-effectiveness commentary suggests proper maintenance matters if you plan to keep one long term. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is that a premium, highly capable SUV can become expensive if prior care was inconsistent.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Land Rover Defender?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status does not tell you how hard the vehicle was used. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the suspension, underbody, tires, and any signs of off-road wear. Focus on overall condition, since a Defender that looks clean on paper may still have seen demanding use.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The cabin is described as authentic and thoughtfully designed, but the interior materials can feel cheap in places, so base versions may leave you wanting more polish.
• Powertrain: A turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque is the base setup, while a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid makes 395 hp and 406 lb-ft; both use an eight-speed automatic and full-time 4WD with low range.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid.
• Infotainment: You get a 10-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, standard wireless connectivity, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Fuel efficiency: The available powertrains are described as having poor fuel economy.

Which 2021 Land Rover Defender trim should I buy?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is offered in 6 trim levels: base, Defender 90 S, Defender 90 X-Dynamic S, First Edition, X, Defender 110 S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE, and X.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: It gives you the Defender experience at the lowest entry point, but you should expect fewer comfort and convenience features than the higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SE is the most compelling everyday choice because it balances equipment and price better than the base model.
• Premium/top trim: The X trim is the most expensive and brings the most upscale positioning, but it is the least value-focused choice.
• Off-road trim: If you plan to use it like a daily driver, the most heavily equipped off-road-oriented versions can be more capability than you need.

The standard safety package is broad, so even lower trims start with a strong set of driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Land Rover Defender?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 703 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.95% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $41,381.36, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Land Rover Defender's resale value?

The current average of $41,364 sits slightly below last year's $46,449.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently today. If you sell later, you may face a softer resale environment unless your Defender is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped. For a future seller, condition and documentation should matter a lot more than simply having the right badge.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender safe?

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The Defender does not have released crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS in the provided data, so the safety picture here comes from its equipment and development work rather than published test results. Standard features include a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, tire pressure monitoring, rear ISOFIX child-seat anchors, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid.

That gives you a strong active-safety foundation for daily driving, and the durability testing plus heavy-duty recovery points reinforce its off-road credibility. The main caveat is that you should not rely on crash-test scores here, so a careful inspection and a clean history report matter even more on the used market.

Should I buy a 2021 Land Rover Defender or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.95% compared with last year.
• It blends serious off-road capability with a modern, upscale personality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $37,835, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $41,364 average.
• It emphasizes off-road capability and everyday usability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $45,756, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $41,364 average.
• It adds a larger touchscreen, wireless charging, and a stronger V8 option.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, capability, and modern appeal, the 2021 is the primary path to consider. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the core Defender formula intact. If you want newer tech and stronger performance, the 2022 is the better upgrade, but you’ll pay more for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.