Used 2021 Land Rover Defender for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Land Rover Defender cost?

Prices have softened 15.06% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 725 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

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 blends serious off-road ability with a more modern, upscale personality, and it comes in short-wheelbase Defender 90 and long-wheelbase Defender 110 forms. That makes it a strong fit if you want a trail-ready SUV that still feels contemporary and distinctive.

The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy and poor handling. Interior materials also feel cheap, so you should expect capability and character to matter more than polish.

36.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is presented as a thoroughly modern SUV with extensive durability testing behind it, and its off-road hardware and full-time 4WD setup support that image. The expert review also emphasizes that it is more than just a style piece, with strong capability and a design meant to handle demanding use.

Its performance setup includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid option, along with full-time 4WD, low range, Terrain Response, and available locking differentials. That combination points to a vehicle built for hard use rather than just light-duty commuting.

Land Rover also notes that the Defender underwent hundreds of thousands of miles of durability testing in harsh climates and conditions. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a premium, highly capable SUV can be costly to keep in top shape if prior maintenance was neglected.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on a vehicle designed for off-road use. Focus on overall condition, signs of hard use, and whether the truck has been maintained properly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Defender 90 lineup includes base, Defender 90 S, Defender 90 X-Dynamic S, First Edition, and X, while the Defender 110 lineup includes base, Defender 110 S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE, and X. The base trims are the most affordable entry points, but the higher trims add more equipment and capability.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and there is also a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid setup with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic and full-time 4WD with low range.
• Safety package: Standard safety 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. It also includes emergency braking, roll stability control, and a passenger seat occupant monitor.
• Infotainment: The Defender uses a 10-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard. It also supports remote software updates and offers multiple camera views, including a transparent hood view.
• Fuel efficiency: The Defender is described as having poor fuel economy.

Which 2021 Land Rover Defender trim should I buy?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender is offered in 11 trim levels: base, Defender 90 S, Defender 90 X-Dynamic S, First Edition, X, Defender 110 S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X-Dynamic HSE, X, and base.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the entry point if you want the Defender’s core capability and design at the lowest starting price.
• Defender 90 S: This adds a step up in equipment while keeping the shorter 90 body style for buyers who want a more compact Defender.
• Defender 90 X-Dynamic S: This is a stronger choice if you want a more distinctive 90 with added visual and equipment upgrades.
• First Edition: This suits you if you want a more special, early-run version with extra appeal beyond the standard trims.
• X: This is the most expensive 90 trim and the one for buyers who want the most upscale 90 configuration.
• Defender 110 S: This is a practical starting point for the longer 110 body style if you want more space.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it balances equipment, comfort, and price well.
• X-Dynamic SE: This is a good fit if you want more style and equipment than the SE without jumping all the way to the top end.
• X-Dynamic HSE: This is for buyers who want a more premium-feeling 110 with a richer feature set.
• X: This is the top 110 trim for shoppers who want the most upscale version in the lineup.
• base: This is the least expensive 110 entry point if your priority is getting into the Defender at the lowest cost.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, but the base trims are where you should pay closest attention to feature differences before you buy.

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 with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 36.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 725 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 15.06% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,151, 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 $39,151 sits slightly below last year's $46,090.

That decline suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can help you negotiate now. For a future seller, it also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, mileage, and maintenance history.

Because the Defender is a premium SUV with strong capability, well-kept examples should still hold appeal. But if you buy one now, you should expect depreciation to remain a real factor, especially if the truck has visible wear or a rough service history.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender safe?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender has not received crash-test ratings from NHTSA or IIHS.

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

Standard safety 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. It also includes emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, roll stability control, and a passenger seat occupant monitor.

That broad feature set is a strength, especially for a vehicle meant to see trail use and tight maneuvering. The main caveat is that you do not have official crash-test results to lean on, so you should weigh the standard equipment against that missing independent validation.

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:

• 36.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 15.06% compared with last year.
• The 2021 Defender blends serious off-road ability with a modern, upscale personality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,246, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $39,151 average.
• It offers a modern take on an off-road icon with strong capability and a spacious cabin.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $42,880, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $39,151 average.
• It adds a larger touchscreen, wireless charging, and a broader trim lineup.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and the Defender’s core character, the 2021 is the smart default. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while keeping the same basic appeal.

How does the 2021 Land Rover Defender compare to the 2021 Jeep Wrangler?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Land Rover Defender:

• Pros: Excellent off-road capability, Stylish design, Spacious.
• Cons: Poor fuel economy, Poor handling, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Jeep Wrangler:

• Pros: Excellent off-road capability, Stylish design, Multiple powertrain options.
• Cons: Lacking curtain airbags, Poor ride quality, Poor handling.

Our experts score the 2021 Land Rover Defender 8/10 and the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 7.7/10. The Defender feels more upscale and spacious, while the Wrangler counters with a lower average used price and more listings. Both are strong off-road choices, but the Defender leans more toward modern comfort and design, while the Wrangler emphasizes variety and value.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.