The most iconic of all Land Rovers, the 2022 Defender greets the new model year with a V8 engine, following up on the debut of the all-new generation in 2020.
Arguably the most capable off-road vehicle available in the lineup, the new Defender breaks from its famous predecessor’s boxy style and basic specification.
However, the 2022 Defender remains highly distinctive and is loaded with sophisticated hardware and comfort features that the original Defender could only dream of.
Unfortunately, the new Defender’s complexity and capabilities come with a steep cost. It’s easy to spend well over $100,000 on the most expensive Defender 110 trim.
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2022 Land Rover Defender 90/110 S (starting at $51,000)
The Defender comes in two basic body styles: the 2-door 90 and the 4-door 110. Two-row/5-passenger seating is standard, with the option to seat six if you opt for a front bench seat. The 110 model also offers small third-row seats.
If you are trying to get the best bang for the buck at the lower end of Defender line-up, we would recommend skipping the standard (base) model of both body types and go for the S trim. The base and S trims come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which distributes 296 horsepower to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
For an extra $8,400 over the 4-cylinder Defender 90 S, you can step up to the S X-Dynamic trim, which substitutes a significantly more powerful 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 395 horsepower on tap.
For most trims, switching from the Defender 90 to the 110 model, which we think is considerably more practical in terms of cabin space, adds approximately $3,000 to the cost.
All Defenders come as standard with a useful set of safety features, including emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking assist system.
LED lights are fitted front and rear, and door mirrors are heated and power-folding. Inside, the front fabric-covered seats are heated, 8-way power-adjustable (base) or 12-way adjustable on the S trim. The rear folding seats are split 40/20/40. (On the base Defender 90, the rear seats are fixed).
A 10-in touchscreen adorns the center of the dashboard.
The S trim supplants the base model’s 18-in steel wheels with 19-in silver finish rims. It also adds automatic high beams and an upgraded sound system.
There is a cornucopia of packages and optional extras for the various Defender trims. Suffice to say, Land Rover has thought of just about every possible feature and gadget that can be fitted to a Defender. Just beware of ticking too many boxes or your wallet will take a beating.
Factoring in the $1,350 destination fee, the Defender 90 S trim sticker comes to $52,350. Given 3% financing over 60 months and no down payment, that would produce a monthly payment of $900. Find a Land Rover Defender 90 S for sale or Find a Land Rover Defender 110 S for sale
2022 Land Rover Defender 90/110 S includes:
- Available 6-cylinder engine — standard 4-cylinder is decent, but 6-cylinder’s extra power is welcome, especially in tough off-road conditions
- Off-road prowess — Serious ground clearance, locking differentials, and terrain response drive modes give the Defender go-anywhere capability
- Impressive safety aids — help driver to avoid accidents if possible
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility — stay connected with ease
2022 Land Rover Defender 90/110 SE and HSE ($65,100)
Sitting in the middle of the Defender trim line are the SE and HSE X-Dynamic. To the lower S trim specification, the SE adds 20-in wheels, a sliding panoramic roof, automatic headlights with leveling, and a premium sound system with 15 speakers, including a sub-woofer.
This is the trim to go for if you want to dress up your Defender with several attractive features but not do too much damage to the bank account.
The HSE trim brings 14-way adjustable, heated and cooled front seats, a leather steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control.
Adding another twist, there is a XS Edition trim available based on the 110 HSE X-Dynamic. Priced at $71,900, the XS Edition has different styled 20-in. wheels and body color lower cladding outside. Changes inside include 3-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, and premium cabin lighting.
If we stick with the same 60-month loan at 3% financing as used for the S, a Defender SE would cost an extra $240 per month. Find a Land Rover Defender 110 SE for sale
2022 Land Rover Defender 90/110 SE/HSE includes:
- Panoramic sunroof — brings a pleasing, airy feel to an otherwise dark cabin
- Premium sound system — rewards your ears with high-quality tunes
- Heated and cooled front seats — nice to have when it’s cold or hot outside.
2022 Land Rover 90/110 X ($83,500)
The Defender X trim level moves from the coil suspension fitted on lower grades to more refined and comfortable air suspension.
The vehicle’s terrain response drive mode system is more sophisticated in dealing with varying off-road conditions.
Inside, heated rear seats are standard with a center armrest, and the cabin trim is walnut veneer.
The lofty price level of the Defender X (and the V8 trim above it) puts the Defender into a rarified market segment far beyond the reach of the original utilitarian model.
There’s also a new 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition. This new model retails for $90,000 and is based on the 2022 Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE, so it’s powered by the turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine with 395 horsepower and permanent all-wheel-drive.
Best of all, buying this specially wrapped Defender Trophy Edition qualifies you for the Land Rover U.S. Trophy Competition. In this first-come, first-served competition, up to 90 teams (six waves of 15 teams) compete this October at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, where they will participate in various driving challenges and team-building exercises, aided the whole time by expert one-on-one coaching.
The 2022 Defender X, with destination fee included, will cost around $84,850, for a monthly payment of $1,456. Find a Land Rover Defender 90 X for sale or Find a Land Rover Defender 110 X for sale
2022 Land Rover X includes:
- Air suspension — handles uneven roads with more aplomb
- Enhanced drive modes — clever software and hardware keeps the vehicle moving in tricky off-road conditions
- Heated rear seats — no one is left out when a warm seat is needed
2022 Land Rover Defender V8 ($97,200)
New for 2022, the Defender V8 takes its place at the top of the model range. The 518-horsepower 5.0-liter supercharged engine makes the Defender quick off the line, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. With optional 22-in wheels, the top speed is a claimed 149 mph. On the downside, EPA fuel economy with the V8 drops to 16 mpg combined, versus 19 mpg for the 4- and 6-cylinder Defenders.
The Defender’s terrain response drive system is tuned to take full advantage of the V8 engine’s power, and interior refinements include 3-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and leather seating, plus suede and Alcantara trim. To keep beverages cool, there is a refrigerator in the center console.
Should the regular Defender V8 not be distinctive enough for your tastes, a special Carpathian edition is available with grey metallic paint and contrasting black roof, hood, and tailgate. The Defender 90 Carpathian edition is priced at $104,000.
Land Rover also is selling a 2022 Defender 110 V8 Bond Edition. Created by Land Rover SV Bespoke and limited to 300 units, this Defender 110 celebrates the vehicle’s role in No Time To Die, the new James Bond film.
With 22-inch black wheels, blue front brake calipers, and numerous 007 design touches, the supercharged Defender 110 V8 Bond Edition starts at $114,600.
There’s also a new 2022 Land Rover Defender Trophy Edition, which retails for $90,000 (plus a $1,350 destination fee).
The Trophy Edition is based on the 2022 Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic SE, meaning it carries a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that uses both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger to get 395 horsepower. It uses a permanent all-wheel-drive system to get you to where the cheetahs live.
Outside, it wears a wrap that the British SUV maker says is inspired by the Land Rover Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy, a limited edition of 25 re-engineered classic Defenders. The two-tone look features a dark khaki shade below a black roof. The door sports a vintage Land Rover Trophy decal.
The Defender V8 costs $98,550 including the destination fee, which works out to $1,691 a month in payments over 60 months, about $235 more than the Defender X. Find a Land Rover Defender 90 V8 for sale or a Find a Land Rover Defender 110 V8 for sale
2022 Land Rover Defender V8 includes:
- Supercharged V8 engine — gives the Defender almost sports-car performance
- Cabin refrigerator — great to use after a hot day on the trail
More Land Rover Trim Comparisons
