2021 Land Rover Defender towing capacity
Max tow rating
8,201lb
- 90 X-Dynamic S AWD, 3.0L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 7,716 lb.
- Top 8% of 127 SUVs (2021).
Trailer check
Yes. 6,500 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 8,201 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 6,561 lb
- Margin
- 1,701 lb (21%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 136% of 4,780 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 11-15 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 8,201 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 6,561 lb
- Hitch class at max
- IV, up to 10,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Yes |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Yes |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,561 lb |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | Some, up to 6,561 lb |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 8,201 lb: 90 X-Dynamic S AWD, $57,800.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 X-Dynamic S AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 4,780 lb | $57,800 |
| 110 SE AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 5,035 lb | $62,700 |
| 90 First Edition AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 4,780 lb | $64,100 |
| 110 X-Dynamic SE AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 5,035 lb | $65,500 |
| 110 X-Dynamic HSE AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 5,035 lb | $71,600 |
| 90 X AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 4,780 lb | $80,500 |
| 110 X AWD | 3.0L 6cyl | AWD | 8,201 lb | 5,035 lb | $83,000 |
| 90 AWD | 2.0L | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,550 lb | $46,100 |
| 90 S AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,550 lb | $49,400 |
| 110 AWD | 2.0L | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,815 lb | $50,500 |
| 110 Standard AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,815 lb | $50,500 |
| 110 S AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,815 lb | $53,800 |
| 90 Standard AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 7,716 lb | 4,550 lb | N/A |
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2020: 8,200 lb to 8,201 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 8,600 lb | Commercial 2WD | $47,900 |
| Land Rover Defender (this car) | 8,201 lb | 90 X-Dynamic S AWD | $57,800 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L | 6,200 lb | Limited 4x2 | $44,405 |
| Audi Q5 Sportback | 4,400 lb | 45 TFSI Premium AWD | $47,800 |
| Cadillac XT6 | 4,000 lb | Luxury AWD | $50,045 |
| Cadillac XT5 | 3,500 lb | Premium Luxury AWD | $50,795 |
| Lexus RX | 3,500 lb | 350 FWD | $45,220 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
- What can tow 7,500 lb? 47 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree