Used 2021 Land Rover Defender for Sale nearSan Bernardino, CA

How much does the 2021 Land Rover Defender cost?

Prices have softened 13.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 738 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, and it’s aimed at you if you want a midsize SUV that can handle difficult terrain without giving up everyday usability.

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

The Defender’s appeal comes through clearly in its excellent off-road capability, stylish design, and spacious cabin. It also blends serious off-road intent with a more modern, upscale personality, so it works well if you want something rugged that still feels contemporary.

The trade-offs are just as clear: poor fuel economy, poor handling, and interior materials that feel cheap.

With 36.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?

The Defender is presented as a thoroughly modern SUV with durability testing behind it, and its development included hundreds of thousands of miles through harsh climates and conditions.

Its performance setup also points to a vehicle built for demanding use: full-time 4WD with low range, Terrain Response, and available Terrain Response 2, plus locking center and active locking rear differentials. That combination supports the Defender’s off-road mission and suggests it’s engineered for hard use rather than casual styling alone.

Land Rover also notes that the Defender can receive remote software updates through its electronic architecture, which can help keep systems current without a dealership visit.

For used buyers, the long-term risk is that a premium, capability-heavy SUV can be costly to own if maintenance or repairs are deferred.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has been used off-road or to tow. Focus on signs of hard use, uneven wear, and any evidence that the vehicle’s capability has been put to work in rough conditions.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup gives you the Defender’s core look and capability, while higher trims add more equipment and a more upscale feel. The base model is the one most likely to leave you wanting more features.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid setup with 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. The suite is broad, but you should confirm which features are standard on the exact trim you’re considering.
• Infotainment: The Defender uses a 10-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system supports remote software updates.
• 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, and X.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the entry point if you want the Defender’s core capability and design at the lowest price, but it’s also the trim most likely to feel sparse compared with the rest of the lineup.
• Defender 90 S: This is a sensible step up if you want a better-equipped short-wheelbase Defender without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Defender 90 X-Dynamic S: This trim adds a more distinctive appearance and a stronger sense of presence, making it a good fit if style matters as much as utility.
• First Edition: This is the special-issue choice if you want a more exclusive version of the Defender with added appeal beyond the standard trims.
• X: This is the top-end choice if you want the most expensive, most fully equipped Defender and are willing to pay for it.
• Defender 110 S: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it gives you the longer-wheelbase body style with a useful equipment upgrade over the base model.
• SE: This is the trim to target if you want a strong balance of equipment and price, and it’s the one that best fits a broad range of buyers.
• X-Dynamic SE: This is the better pick if you want more visual presence and a more premium-feeling Defender 110 without going all the way to the top.
• X-Dynamic HSE: This is the choice if you want a more upscale, better-equipped Defender 110 and are comfortable paying for it.
• X: This is the most expensive Defender 110 trim and suits you if you want the highest-spec version in the lineup.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, but you should confirm standard equipment on the exact trim you’re shopping.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing across the board.

• Deal availability: 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 738 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.49% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $40,286, 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 $40,286 sits slightly below last year's $46,568.

That decline suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can help you negotiate now. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Because the Defender sits in a premium, capability-focused niche, well-kept examples should still hold appeal. But if you buy one with deferred maintenance or visible wear, you may face a steeper hit when it’s time to sell.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender safe?

The 2021 Land Rover Defender has not been rated by either NHTSA or IIHS.

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

It comes with a long list of standard safety features, including 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, a 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’s a strong standard safety package, but you should still verify which features are included on the exact trim you’re considering.

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:

• 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 87.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.49% compared with last year.
• It pairs strong off-road capability with a more modern, upscale personality.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $36,779, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $40,286 average.
• It emphasizes rugged capability with more comfort than the classic Defender.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $44,008, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $40,286 average.
• It adds a larger touchscreen, wireless charging, and a V8 option.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, inventory, and the Defender’s core strengths, the 2021 is the smart default. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the cheaper path into the same basic formula, while the 2022 makes sense if you want the newer tech and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.