Used 2023 Land Rover Defender for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2023 Land Rover Defender cost?

Prices have softened 13.62% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,747 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2023 Land Rover Defender a good car?

The 2023 Land Rover Defender is a mixed but appealing choice if you want a distinctive SUV with real capability and a more upscale presence. It earns a 3/5 user rating and a 7.2/10 expert rating.

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

Its appeal comes from classic style, lots of powertrain and body choices, and customization that helps it feel tailored rather than generic. The 2023 model also adds the extended Defender 130, which increases practicality while keeping the model’s rugged identity intact.

The trade-offs are clear: the cabin is too utilitarian, body roll is a concern, and it can feel like poor value for money once options push the price up. Even so, if you want a vehicle that blends heritage, capability, and versatility, the Defender still stands apart from more conventional luxury SUVs.

The market looks fairly accessible, with 38.1% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2023 Land Rover Defender reliable?

The 2023 Land Rover Defender is built around durability and capability, with excellent build quality and fit called out in expert testing. Its off-road hardware and adaptable chassis setup support the kind of use buyers expect from a serious utility SUV.

The performance notes also point to a strong mechanical foundation, including a turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8, plus a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. The six-cylinder setup uses a 48-volt mild hybrid system with seamless stop-start operation and an electric supercharger for quicker low-speed response.

On the cost side, the Defender’s pricing can climb quickly, and that matters for long-term ownership because higher-spec versions can feel expensive relative to the luxury they deliver. For used buyers, the main risk is paying too much for a vehicle whose upkeep and option content may not match its premium sticker.

What should I look for when buying a used 2023 Land Rover Defender?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 91% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has been used for off-road driving or towing. Focus on wear items, body condition, and signs that the vehicle has been used hard rather than just driven a lot.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is the most stripped-down version, with manual fabric seats and a no-name stereo, while higher trims add more comfort and convenience features.
• Powertrain: The Defender offers a turbocharged four-cylinder, a mild-hybrid inline-six, and a supercharged V8; the four-cylinder is the one to skip if you want relaxed highway performance.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, while a 360-degree camera system and trailer-reversing steering are available.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 10-inch touchscreen, with an optional 11.4-inch screen; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and connected apps come standard.
• Fuel efficiency: The four-cylinder is rated at 17 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined, while the six-cylinder returns 18/23/20 mpg; the V8 gets 14/19/16 mpg.

Which 2023 Land Rover Defender trim should I buy?

The 2023 Land Rover Defender is offered in 6 trim levels: 90, 110, 130, S, SE, and X.

Here's the short version:

• 90: This is the two-door body style, so it suits you if you want the shortest, most traditional Defender shape.
• 110: This is the best-value choice for most shoppers because it starts at the lowest price and gives you the core Defender experience in a more practical four-door layout.
• 130: Choose this if you want the most cargo and passenger flexibility, since it is the extended four-door version.
• S: This trim adds heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, making it a better everyday pick than the base setup.
• SE: This is the trim to target if you want a stronger comfort and convenience mix, including fog lights, surround sound, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, auto high beams, and cooled front seats.
• X: This is the most feature-rich choice, adding air suspension, a locking rear differential, an upgraded Terrain Response 2 system, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, the larger touchscreen, and a rearview mirror with a camera display.

The X trim also brings the most advanced safety and driver-assistance content in the lineup, while the base model leaves you with a much simpler cabin.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2023 Land Rover Defender?

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

• Deal availability: 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,747 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.62% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 91.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $51,395, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2023 Land Rover Defender's resale value?

The current average of $51,395 sits slightly below last year's $59,497.

That decline suggests the market has moved in your favor if you’re buying now, but it also means sellers are facing softer pricing than they were a year ago. If you own one, you may need to price competitively to move it quickly.

For future resale, the Defender’s strongest protection is its distinctive styling and broad appeal to buyers who want capability with a premium image. The downside is that higher purchase prices and a reputation for expensive options can limit how much value you recover later.

Is the 2023 Land Rover Defender safe?

The Defender scored five of five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing, and Land Rover says the structure was praised for its solidity.

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

Standard safety equipment includes lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. A 360-degree camera system, a head-up display, and a digital instrument panel that can show full-screen maps are available, along with trailer-reversing steering.

One notable shortcoming is that Land Rover equips the Defender with six airbags, which is fewer than you might expect in this class. There is also no self-steering highway assist.

Should I buy a 2023 Land Rover Defender or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2023 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2023 if:

• 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 91% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.62% compared with last year.
• The 2023 adds the extended Defender 130, increasing practicality and lineup flexibility.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $42,837, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $51,395 average.
• It adds a new optional 11.4-inch touchscreen and expands the trim lineup.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $56,405, the 2024 costs more than the current year's $51,395 average.
• It adds more trims and features, plus expanded availability for one V8 engine option.

The bottom line: The 2023 is the best all-around pick if you want the newer body-style flexibility and a market that has softened. If price matters most, the 2022 is the smarter value play; if you want more features and are willing to pay more, the 2024 is the upgrade path.

How does the 2023 Land Rover Defender compare to the 2023 Jeep Wrangler?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2023 Land Rover Defender:

• Pros: Classic style, Customization, Lots of powertrain and body choices.
• Cons: Cabin is too utilitarian, Body roll, Poor value for money.

2023 Jeep Wrangler:

• Pros: Outstanding off-road capability, Multiple powertrain options.
• Cons: Limited storage space, Unimpressive on-road performance.

Our experts score the 2023 Land Rover Defender 7.2/10 and the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 7.8/10. The Defender leans more toward style, customization, and a more upscale feel, while the Wrangler emphasizes off-road ability and broader powertrain choice. If you care more about on-road refinement and a distinctive premium image, the Defender has the edge in personality; if you want the stronger off-road specialist, the Wrangler is the more focused pick.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.