We are looking to buy a 2024 LR-Defender 110. My husband and I are debating about whether to get a v6 (mild hybrid) or a v8. We live in California where gas prices are insanely high so I want the mild hybrid. However, he makes some good points about how replacing the mild hybrid battery might be pricey and have to be done between 100K-200K miles. Does anyone know how much mild hybrid batteries cost for the LR Defender 110? Since this system is fairly new (I think 2023 was the first year) I'll assume nobody knows the average lifespan of the Defender mild hybrid battery. But, does anyone have any experience with other mild hybrid vehicles? Thank you.

 

First of all, you posted in the L322 forum which is the full size Range Rover forum which ceased production with the 2012 model year.

The 2024 Defender 110 is available with a straight six P400 designation (rather than a V6) which is turbocharged. The mild hybrid 48v system of which you speak is also electrically supercharged so you get about 400hp. I had this drivetrain in my Defender 110 and it propels the car fine. The V8 P525 is mechanically supercharged and achieves a little over 500hp. I have this drivetrain in my full size Range Rover. It is a wonderful motor and its roots in Rovers can be traced back over 15 years. In fact I have the non supercharged version in my 2010 Range Rover. The P400 will get a little better mileage in stop and go traffic and at highway/mixed driving cycles you won’t notice a great deal of difference between the P400 and the P525 in fuel consumption. The P525 is buttery smooth and the P400 can occasionally feel “peaky” but both are terrific. I love both engines but depending on your use case (towing, five passengers and gear frequently) I can’t with good conscience tell you the incremental cost of the P525 is worth it over the P400. It is to me but its your money.

To the root of your question, should you worry about the cost of replacing the 48v battery somewhere between 100,000 miles and 200,000 miles? Absolutely not. By then you will likely have replaced your brakes/rotors/pads front and rear three times. Full fluids a couple of times. Bushings once, tires probably four times and the jury is out whether you will have needed to swap suspension components. The maintenance dollars that you will have invested by then, a replacement 48v battery will not be out of line with the cost of running a Land rover product. Whichever engine you select, change the oil twice as often as Land Rover tells you, so, every 7,500 miles vs the 15,000 mile manufacturer recommendation.

Good luck with your decision.