Long time Land Rover owner and can turn a wrench. I am blown away by the depreciation hitting these new defenders and figure why not give one a shot.

I would like to avoid the hybrid and the turbo 4cyl but now I’ve been reading about exhaust manifold bolts snapping on the I6. So what’s the call on model year and powertrain?

 

I have a 2022 p400 i6 and love it. Thus far zero problems although only have around 30k miles on the clock. i6 potential issues Im currently aware of are the DC/DC converter recall (letters w/ detail due to be mailed in North America 06/12/26), Small Coolant leaks from reservoir / turbo lines / front aux radiators and just hearing reports of the manifold bolts. Saltek Motorsports is close to having an improved titanium replacement option for the bolts and may proactively have them changed. Overall, believe the i6 is considered a reliable engine platform but no doubt the MHEV adds complexity.

 

I have a 2021 4cylinder and am at 93k miles. The only issue i've had was a turbo inlet coolant leak (took them like 5 minutes to fix) when it was brand new, and then just now at 93k miles a throttle hose needed to be replaced because it had cracked. This thing is a tank - regular maintenace scheduled followed.

 

I’m in the P400 camp for the L663 Defender. I really like the motor/powertrain and find it well suited to the Defender.

All years seem to be relatively equal, I don’t think 2026 is more reliable than 2020 or 2023, etc. Or so it seems. This may be proven otherwise over time but perhaps too early to tell.

That said on the P400, I am annoyed with these exhaust manifold bolts breaking. It’s pretty lame and it seems JLR will be forced to recall it given enough time if it causes emissions issues, which it does. Air leaks. Throws codes. DC-DC converter is the other major issue - and it is going to be sorted.

For all the talk of the V8 not having MHEV and being a simple motor... and not having other issues, I think this is a flawed argument (ie getting into the V8 because it’s more reliable than the P400 I6). I’ve owned many of those V8’s (other platforms pre-L663) starting from new or CPO or just used -- and every last one of them has had issues over time. And even at young ages! Timing chains, supercharger nosecones, coolant issues surface at 60K+ miles on just about every one of them. Granted I drive them like race cars because... it’s fun to do so. So that’s worth something... I buy that motor for fun and sound, that V8 is a truly fantastic motor but I don’t think reliability or “simplicity” is a valid argument to choose the V8 over the P400 I6.

I do think the simplicity argument would, however, apply to the 4 cylinder. And notably, people with it really really like it. Several on here have owned all 3 motors and like that one the best. I need more base HP tho.

Re: powertrain: One perhaps meaningful running change around 2022 (?) was the design of the transfer case and 4wd system. Perhaps the newer one is better, although I’m not sure. You can read about the changes on here in past threads. 2020’s also had a slightly different rear differential design than the later ones if you got the locking differential, and I do have a diff fluid leak on my 2020 with rear locker. So - maybe avoid that on a 2020.

I have also anecdotally heard that the software on newer ones leads to smoother driving, shifting, accelerator response. But idk, that may just be variability car-to-car. I drove a 2024 a few months ago (friends car, P400 motor, identical 110X to mine) and it drove exactly like mine, although my offroad tires give a noisier ride. Otherwise, same car, same motor.

 

Simply put and as stated above, you cannot go wrong with any of the Defender models. I have owned the V8, the P400 and the P300. I like them all and my preference is the P300. It has more linear acceleration and is lighter and perfect for off roading. Keep up with the maitenance schedule and you will have very few issues. With today's car and all the tech they have, you will not find a bullet proof brand. Even the new Toyotas and Lexus cars have had massive recalls with engines blowing up. I have a friend with a brand new Toyota who has 3 new engines replaced so far. Get a Defender, you will not regret it. There is really nothing out there quite like it.