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GizmoDriver

Is the 2022 Land Rover Defender a good car?

No.

3 of 7checks

Pick another car

20 miles one way, 5 days a week. Gas $3.20. Power 17 cents per kWh.

Defender -12%-48%+150%Price vs predicted
Price vs predicted, 139 SUVs (2022). Orange: this car.
Checks for the 2022 Land Rover Defender
CheckResultNumber
Family carNo2 of 4 parts
First carNo2 of 5 parts
CommuterNo$146 vs $116 a month
SeniorsYes2 of 3 parts
Off-roadYes8.9 in, top 18%
Worth the moneyYes12% below predicted
Good buyNo7 beat it on all four

Is the Defender a good family car?

No. Passes 2 of 4 parts.

Family car check, 2022 Land Rover Defender
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Seats5 seats5 or moreN/AYes
Rear legroom36.6 inMedian 38.2 in155No
Rear headroom40.4 inMedian 38.9 in156Yes
Cargo behind the last row15.6 cu ftMedian 23.4 cu ft162No

Is the Defender a good first car?

No. Passes 2 of 5 parts.

First car check, 2022 Land Rover Defender
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Price$48,700Median $41,500163No
Horsepower296 hp156 hp to 349 hp165Yes
Length197.6 inMedian 188.0 in154No
Turning circle37.0 ftMedian 38.1 ft150Yes
Fuel cost per mile16.8 centsMedian 13.3 cents164No

Horsepower: 10th to 75th percentile of the class.

Is the Defender a good commuter car?

No. $146 a month to commute. Class median $116.

Miles a month
867
This car
$146
Median of 164 SUVs
$116
Highway mpg
21 mpg, top 84% of 149

Is the Defender a good car for seniors?

Yes. Passes 2 of 3 parts.

Seniors check, 2022 Land Rover Defender
MeasureThis carClassCarsPass
Step-in height8.8 in clearance, 77.7 in tall7.0 to 8.3 in clearance, 64.6 to 69.9 in tall144No
Front headroom40.6 inMedian 39.9 in157Yes
Turning circle37.0 ftMedian 38.1 ft150Yes

Step-in: clearance and height in the middle half of the class.

Is the Defender a good off-road vehicle?

Yes. 8.9 in clearance. Top 18% of 154 trucks and SUVs.

AWD or 4WD
Yes
Best trim for clearance
110 AWD, 8.9 in
Cohort
154 trucks and SUVs, AWD or 4WD trims

Is the Defender worth the money?

Yes. Priced 12% below cars like it.

Price, 110 AWD
$51,500
Predicted price
$58,440
Gap
-$6,940 (-12%)
Model error
13% median, 290 cars

Price model: horsepower, length, width, drivetrain, powertrain, body and luxury, 2022 cars.

Passes at up to 5% above the predicted price.

Is the Defender a good buy?

No. 7 rivals cost less and beat it on fuel cost, cargo and power.

Rivals that cost less and beat the Defender on all four
CarPriceFuel cost per mileMax cargoPower
Defender 90 AWD$48,70016.8 cents58.3 cu ft296 hp
Chevrolet Traverse LS FWD$33,70015.2 cents98.2 cu ft310 hp
Ford Explorer RWD$35,51013.3 cents87.8 cu ft300 hp
Chevrolet Blazer RS FWD$41,10014.5 cents64.2 cu ft308 hp
GMC Acadia AT4 AWD$41,40015.2 cents79.0 cu ft310 hp
Buick Enclave Essence FWD$42,80015.2 cents97.4 cu ft310 hp
Ford Edge ST AWD$46,48515.2 cents73.4 cu ft335 hp
Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE AWD$47,5005.8 cents59.3 cu ft320 hp

Compared with 1,043 trims of other makes, SUVs, 2022.

What this cannot tell you

No safety, reliability or insurance data.

Your prices, use and trim may differ.

How values are checked