Used 2021 Land Rover Defender for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Land Rover Defender cost?

Prices have softened 14.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 719 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 modern design, technology, luxury, and comfort, so it works well if you want a capable adventure SUV that still feels usable every day. The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy and poor handling. Interior materials also feel cheap, which matters if you expect a more premium cabin experience. The market backdrop is solid too, with 41.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

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 suggests it was built for hard use. The expert notes also point to a strong, well-thought-out design and a powertrain lineup that includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mild-hybrid setup.

Its performance content emphasizes full-time 4WD with low range, Terrain Response, and available locking differentials, all of which support long-term capability if you maintain the vehicle properly. The cost-effectiveness notes also say a new Defender can be more capable, more reliable, and less expensive than a fully restored classic Defender when cared for correctly. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a premium, highly equipped SUV can become expensive to own if maintenance is 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 on a vehicle designed for off-road use. Focus on overall condition, signs of hard trail use, and whether the cabin and exterior show wear that matches the mileage. Pay close attention to how the vehicle was maintained, since a premium SUV like this can be costly if previous owners skipped service.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup includes a 10-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system, while higher trims add more equipment and upgraded audio. The cabin design is upscale in concept, but the materials can still feel less premium than you might expect at this price.
• 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 hp and 406 lb-ft. All models use an eight-speed automatic and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response.
• 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Remote software updates are supported, and multiple camera views are available, 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 Defender 110 base.

Here's the short version:

• base: This is the entry point if you want the Defender experience at the lowest starting price, but it is also the trim where you should expect the fewest extras. It makes the most sense if you care more about capability than luxury add-ons.
• Defender 90 S: This is a sensible step up if you want a better-equipped short-wheelbase Defender without jumping too far in price. It should suit you if you want a more balanced mix of value and equipment.
• Defender 90 X-Dynamic S: This trim adds more visual and equipment appeal than the S, making it a stronger choice if you want a more distinctive Defender without going all the way to the top end.
• First Edition: This is the special early-run choice for shoppers who want a more exclusive-feeling Defender and are willing to pay for it.
• X: This is the most expensive trim level and the one for buyers who want the fullest equipment set and are comfortable paying for it.
• Defender 110 S: This is the practical starting point for the long-wheelbase model and a good fit if you want more space without moving into the pricier trims.
• SE: This is the best-value trim to focus on if you want a strong mix of equipment and price. It is the trim that best captures the Defender’s upscale feel without pushing too far upmarket.
• X-Dynamic SE: This is the better pick if you want more presence and equipment than the SE while staying below the highest trims.
• X-Dynamic HSE: This is for you if you want a more premium-feeling Defender 110 with a richer feature set.
• X: This is the top-end long-wheelbase choice for buyers who want the most upscale version of the 110.
• Defender 110 base: This is the simplest long-wheelbase option and the one to choose if you want the most affordable path into the 110 body style.

The standard safety package is broad, but crash-test ratings were not released for this model year.

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

This is a favorable buyer’s market if you’re shopping carefully and comparing listings.

• Deal availability: 41.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 719 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 87.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $39,637, 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 $39,637 sits slightly below last year's $46,381.

That drop suggests the market has moved in your favor as a buyer, but it also means a future seller may face softer pricing than owners saw a year ago. If you buy at the current average or below, you may have less downside exposure than someone who paid closer to last year’s level. For resale, condition and maintenance history will matter a lot because the market is already pricing in a meaningful decline.

Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender safe?

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

The Defender comes with an extensive standard safety suite that includes blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, a 360-degree parking aid, emergency braking, roll stability control, and a passenger seat occupant monitor. It also includes front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, rear ISOFIX child-seat anchors, anti-lock braking, and emergency brake assist.

Neither NHTSA nor IIHS crash-test ratings have been released for this model year. That means you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the vehicle history report when evaluating a used example.

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:

• 41.3% 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 14.54% compared with last year.
• The 2021 Defender blends serious off-road ability with modern design, technology, luxury, and comfort.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,995, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $39,637 average.
• It emphasizes rugged capability with a more refined feel than the classic version implied.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $42,943, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $39,637 average.
• It adds a larger touchscreen, wireless charging, and a more powerful V8 option.

The bottom line: Choose the 2021 if you want the strongest mix of price movement, inventory, and modern Defender character. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want newer tech and more power, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

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 is the more polished choice if you want a spacious cabin and a more modern feel. The Wrangler counters with a lower average used price and more listings, plus multiple powertrain options. If you care most about refinement and everyday usability, the Defender has the edge; if you want a cheaper entry point and broader powertrain choice, the Wrangler is easier to shop.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.