I own a D90 and the previous generation GX. Have also ridden in the new GX. Reliability, character, driving feel, pride of ownership..... I imagine we all feel about the same when comparing the two.

If you have the means and really want the Defender, go for it. I love mine. Likely my favorite vehicle ever owned with the possible exception being the Saab 9-3 back when I was working. So quirky but I loved it.

If this vehicle is somewhat of a financial stretch, one you'll put many miles on for many years or if a financial loss (repairs, depreciation, maintenance) really bothers you get the GX.

 

I would look for a one year used Defender as its value will take a huge hit in that first year which is one it’s biggest draw backs. Start with that large chunk off the top through and the value needle swings hard towards the Defender.

I would have no worries about taking that extra year off either as you still have a factory warranty and by all accounts the new Defender is a very reliable platform.

 

Savagegeese just dropped this:

Note that these guys are real sarcastic bastards and are primarily race track drivers - indeed they put the GX and Defender around a snow-covered race track.

 

I see lots of people saying this, but I've been casually searcing low-milage used Defenders for over a year now, and I'm not seeing it. People are asking top dollar for anything with less than 20K miles on it. If I'm looking in the wrong places, please point me in the right direction!

 

It's "internet wisdom" - just as common and valid as the oft-cited "fact" that a JLR product will be in the shop more often than not under warranty and will explode in a huge ball of flame the day the warranty expires. I have tried to correct this some times, but everyone has an uncle who had a friend who bought a brand new Range Rover and the engine fell out when he picked it up.

I just roll my eyes and move on now - a lot of people aren't interested in hearing actual facts these days.

 

You can take a look at auction sites to see what the market is on used Defenders since there's often a delta between asking price at dealer and online listings, and what the vehicles actually transact for which is never published.
For example, take a look at https://carsandbids.com/search/land-...tart_year=2020
It can be difficult to look at different models and options however so building a spreadsheet of these auctions with the relevant details such as model, trim, engine, year and mileage can really help give you an idea of what the market is saying.

In my case, my '22 was sold in January of 2023 for $81k. I bought it in June (technically July) of 2024 for $53k. It had 25k on the odometer. Thats a pretty significant depreciation. Of course in 2023, the original buyer had to eat some COVID price inflation it seems. Looking at this auction result: https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rND...r-defender-110 that closed about 2 months prior to my purchase it seems like I got a pretty decent deal. The one in the auction is optioned slightly higher than mine but is the P300 instead of the P400.

 

While we all live in a glass house, the number of issues of late with Lexus and Toyota products is surprising.

I wonder how this problem of melting plastics on the GX affects aerodynamics. Lol.

The Drive: Lexus GX Owners Report Their Shiny New SUVs Are Melting in the Sun

 

Sure.

Go to car gurus, search for defenders… limit your years and options, then search distance to nation wide. I see lots of them. How’s that for internet wisdom?

 

I was contemplating the same and went Defender, I have had it a week and love it!

 

I just went through the same buying process the other week, the GX Overtrail+ ticked most of our boxes but in the end, a shiny new 2025 110 came home with us last week. It's been a few years since we had a LR in the family (several of my own in the past, plus my dad's various Series IIA and III's as a kid)