Land Rover Defender SUV (1983-2016) - MPG, Running Costs & CO2

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Land Rover Defender SUV (1983-2016) - MPG, running costs & CO2

Fuel efficiency isn’t a Land Rover Defender strong point, but insurance is surprisingly cheap

by Richard Ingram12 Aug 2019

• 1Verdict
• 2MPG, running costs & CO2 - currently reading
• 3Engines, drive & performance
• 4Interior & comfort
• 5Practicality & boot space
• 6Reliability & safety

38Carbuyer Rating

2.0 out of 5

Owners RatingBe the first to reviewSubmit your reviewMPG, running costs & CO2 Rating

1.7 out of 5

If you buy a Defender, you’ll need lots of spare cash to run it. It’s simply one of the least fuel-efficient off-roaders there is. And despite its simple construction, it’s also pretty expensive to buy, particularly if you choose one of the special editions. At least insurance cover and repair bills shouldn’t be too expensive.

Land Rover Defender MPG & CO2

There was only one engine available during the closing years of the Defender: a 2.2-litre diesel. Fuel economy is particularly dismal – Land Rover claims up to 28.3mpg is possible, but in reality, you’ll be lucky to see more than 15mpg, particularly if you use your Defender for hard off-road work.

38

The Defender also sits in the highest road tax band. Even the smallest and lightest versions of the car emit a massive 266 grams per kilometre of CO2, so you’ll be paying £505 a year. In fact, high emissions are the main reason for the Defender’s imminent demise – Land Rover itself admitted the car couldn’t be made to comply with the stringent Euro 6b EU emissions legislation that came into effect in September 2015.

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If you're even vaguely concerned about fuel consumption, the 18.5mpg Works V8 won't interest you in the slightest. Its 352g/km emissions won't see you befriended by Greenpeace either.

Insurance

You'll find the Defender in insurance groups 9 and 10. That’s a pretty low rating compared to other large SUVs, most of which start in group 30. In fact, the Defender’s insurance rating is more in line with that of a small hatchback like the Vauxhall Corsa. The luxurious Range Rover ranges from group 45 to the maximum group 50.

Warranty

When available new, the Defender was provided with a pretty standard three-year warranty regardless of how many miles you covered. 

Servicing

The Defender’s long lifespan and simple construction means servicing shouldn’t cost much compared to more modern models like the Range Rover or Land Rover Discovery Sport. Land Rover offered servicing plans to new Defender buyers, too.

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• 1Verdict
• 2MPG, running costs & CO2 - currently reading
• 3Engines, drive & performance
• 4Interior & comfort
• 5Practicality & boot space
• 6Reliability & safety

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Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare via EmailRichard Ingram

Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

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