I second this - the instructors at the LR Experience Center at the Biltmore Estate prefer the P300 as they say it is easier to modulate the throttle and control the P300 off-road compared to the P400. I can believe that, especially with the on/off throttle response of early P400s.

I'd still rather have a diesel on-road and off-road though.

 

P300 owner and love it, the P400 is very nice but the step-up in cost didn't make sense to me. Also, you lose the rear storage bin. Add to that, oddly, my insurance agent said the P400 would be considerably (~25%) more to insure (unclear why). No regrets with the P300, and cost savings meant I could get Windsor leather and a few other things that mattered more to me (towing package, etc).

 

I have the P400 and other than it being replaced under warranty, I think its a great engine. In my mind, if you want to fit tires with more sidewall, the biggest thing that speaks in favor of the P300 is the ability to put 18" wheels on it rather than 20"ers without having to do brake modifications in the rear.

 

I was dead set on the P400, but ended up with a P300.

here’s why:

1- Tried both back to back twice.
2- Loved the quietness of the P300 compared to the P400. The P300 sounded more refined.
3- Hated the lag and noise in the P400. It seemed like it had to think for a second before responding. But when it did, of course it responded with more aggressiveness than the P300.
4- The P300 had more than enough power to move that beast for my taste.
5- The P300 is apparently the most reliable in all the Defender engine offerings as per numerous reknown critics such as edmunds and others, due to having less technology bound to eventually fail.

At the end of the day, buy what makes you happy 👍

 

Thanks for all the input. I pulled the trigger on a 2025 P300.

 

Congrats, post pics when you get it 👍