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.

 

In the US, the hybrid is the I6, though it's an MHEV and not a plug-in.

With your criteria, you're only looking at the top-of-the-range V8.

 

As others have stated, you really can't go wrong with any of the engines. Sure, the P400 I6 does have the manifold bolt issues, and they add a bit of complexity with the MHEV system, and they're all being recalled because of the DC-DC converter, but overall they're pretty solid. I also have a P300 I4 and I think it is great. Over five years and 52k miles the only issues I've really had were the ECU for the fuel pump went bad a month after I took delivery, and I had a leaking aux radiator caused by a rock hitting it. Otherwise, mechanically it has been flawless. The upgraded headlights' DRLs are prone to going bad, but it is a simple DIY fix that costs less than $10.00 if you're willing to take apart your headlight.

As I said, I have the P300 I4 and think it is a great engine. It is more than adequate and gets up to speed with no issues at all, and I absolutely recommend it to anyone. That being said, if I were to buy another, I'd get the P400 I6. That is what I originally planned on ordering, because I was coming from a V8 LR4 and also at the time had a supercharged D5. However, after driving several early vehicles, I just didn't like the throttle response on that I6. Below 2500 rpm it just felt completely dead, then you get a surge of torque all the way to redline. It wasn't linear. I then test drove a P300 and while it has noticeable turbo lag under 3000 rpm at wide open throttle from a standstill, it was very linear, and in normal driving conditions, turbo lag is nearly imperceptible. I was very impressed and didn't feel slow or underpowered whatsoever. It has no issues getting up to speed, and it is VERY refined for a 4-cylinder. That being said, If I were to buy another Defender, I'd get the P400 this time because all of my issues with the throttle response have been resolved.

I think you should test drive the I4, I6, and V8 and see which you like the best.

One thing @nashvegas mentioned is the 4WD system. For the 2023.5MY JLR went from the full-time 4WD system with infinitely variable center differential that has been used since the LR3, to a new system called iAWD, that replaces the center differential for a multiplate clutch pack that acts like a center diff, and can fully disconnect the front axle for increased efficiency. That being said, AWD is always activated in the following scenarios:
- Below 21 mph
- Above 100 mph
- If any of the off-road Terrain Response programs are selected
- If the temperature is below 37°F
- If you are in low range

Plus, the iAWD is proactive, so for example, if the headlights and wipers are on, it will engage the front axle. It is completely seamless, and arguably a better system than the old one. If you break any axle on the old one, the vehicle will be immobile. If you break a front axle on the new one, you can still drive, since torque is always sent to the rear axle first.

Another thing that was mentioned was the rear electronically controlled locking differential. These are not necessary whatsoever, even if you plan on off-roading. I have the rear diff lock, and have been off-roading with Defenders without it, and they were able to go everywhere I could, just with a bit more wheel spin. The ETC on the L663 is able to react so much faster than previous versions, that cars with an open rear diff can react so quickly that a locking rear diff doesn't provide a significant advantage in most scenarios. The e-diffs do clunk over time, but it is completely normal. The service interval is every 62k miles, and it should really be halved - that is what I'm doing. Speaking of service intervals, JLR recommends oil changes every two years or 21k miles, which is ridiculous. I've been doing my oil changes every 5k miles since new, and haven't had any issues. I recently did the transmission service at 50k miles, whereas JLR recommends it to be done at 105k. ZF recommends the service to be done between 50k-75k miles - I'd go with ZF's recommendations over JLR's on the transmission. If you find one that has been frequently serviced, that theoretically should be better in the long run.

A few other things worth noting that have changed over the years:

- Late 2022-2023 models were affected most by the chip shortage, and are more likely to be missing features that would've been standard i.e. Meridian Surround Sound, ambient lighting, digital gauge cluster, missing USB ports etc.
- Air suspension was standard on all 110 models for 2020-2021. Coils became standard on the 110 in 2022 and were always standard on the 90.
- 2020 was the first model year. 110 only with five different trim levels: Base, S, SE, First Edition, HSE, and X.
- 2021 the 90 was released, as well as the X-Dynamic trim levels.
- 2022 brought the V8, as well as the option for an upgraded 11.4" touchscreen.
- 2023 the 130 was released. Base model was dropped making the S the entry model.
- 2024 the 130 Outbound was released, and a lower output P500 V8 became available on the 110 and 130. The County Pack became available on the 110.
- 2025 was the release of the OCTA, as well as a new redesigned center console and standard 11.4" screen. Some interior color/trim changes, too.
- 2026 brings the first major facelift, complete with new lights, revised bumpers, a new standard 13.1" touchscreen, new colors, and the 90 is now only available in the US with the V8.

Overall, the L663 is a great vehicle no matter what year or engine you go for. Do your research and try to find one that fits your requirements. No doubt in my mind you'll enjoy it. Hope this helps, and keep us posted on what you decide to do!

 

I have a 2020 4 cylinder 110S and am at 80k miles. The only issues I have suffered are the recurring, failing, A pillar trim and the original interior fabric (which I no longer attempt to clean). After multiple tries I removed the a pillar cover and went on with life. I have a continuing very slow coolant leak which no one has been able to locate (and I have given up looking, until such time as the rate of loss increases). Everything else (besides the multiple cracked windscreens) has been flawless.

The vehicle has pleased me greatly, mostly due to its 4WD and towing capability. The biggest down side has been the smaller interior, as compared to my LR4. But, that was a known compromise from day 1. But, it does tow markedly more solidly than the LR4 and it does not consume rear brakes like candy -- two positive trade-offs.

I do not think I would choose a 4 cylinder if I had to commute in a big metropolitan area -- the 6 cylinder is much better at acceleration. But, I am located in a rural area -=- and I enjoy having open space beneath the rear floor.

I have driven the 6 cylinder, and the vehicle drives entirely differently than the i4 due to the extra power. You should drive them both IMO.

Enjoy !!

 

P300 all the way. 2021 here with close to 170k miles, still running strong. Have towed about 40k miles with it, plenty of power. Higher payload as well depending on what you’re looking to do with it.

 

wow! 170k! And I thought my 93k miles was high on my 2021. I've towed across the country multiple times from Florida to San Francisco, never an issue. At 170k miles, i'm curious what your biggest, if any, mechanical repairs have been. I posted above that my thottle hose cracked recently, and besides the small inlet turbo leak when brand new, its never had an issue. I also just replaced rear brakes for the first time at 92k miles, and about 100 miles later I decided to replace the front even though they had a good amount of life left, but its such an easy quick job to do, figured i'd get that out of the way.