What the 2025 Defender lineup offers and how configurations work

The 2025 Land Rover Defender comes in three body styles — 90, 110, and 130 — each with its own wheelbase and cargo space. Within each body style, you choose an engine, transmission, trim level, and interior options. Land Rover groups these choices into preset configurations, but you can also customize individual elements depending on your dealer's inventory and build options.

The 90 is the shortest and most nimble, designed for off-road work and tight spaces. The 110 is the middle option, balancing passenger room with cargo flexibility. The 130 is the longest, offering three rows of seating and maximum load capacity. Your choice here determines everything else — you cannot swap a 110 body onto a 90 frame, and each body style has different engine and trim combinations available.

Key Takeaways

  • The 2025 Defender comes in three body lengths (90, 110, 130), and your choice of body determines which engines, transmissions, and trim levels are available to you.
  • Engine options include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel and a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline engine, with different power outputs depending on trim.
  • Trim levels range from base SE through HSE, First Edition, and range-topping Carpathian, each adding comfort, technology, and off-road features in steps.
  • Interior configurations let you choose seating layouts (five, six, or seven seats depending on body), leather or textile upholstery, and technology packages like the Pivi Pro infotainment system.
  • Off-road packages add all-terrain tires, underbody protection, electronic locking differentials, and terrain response modes that change how the vehicle handles different surfaces.

Body styles and what each one is built for

The 90 has a 101.9-inch wheelbase and seats five people. It is the most compact and agile, with the tightest turning radius. This configuration works well if you need a vehicle for mixed urban and light off-road use, or if you plan to tow a trailer and want easier maneuverability. The 90 has less interior volume than the 110, so cargo space is the main trade-off.

The 110 has a 119.3-inch wheelbase and seats up to seven people depending on configuration. This is the most versatile body style — it offers genuine passenger room without being unwieldy on narrow roads or tight trails. Most buyers choose the 110 because it splits the difference between the 90's nimbleness and the 130's space. You can configure it with a third row of seats or remove them entirely for a cargo van layout.

The 130 has a 130.9-inch wheelbase and seats up to seven people as standard. It is the longest and heaviest, designed for families who need three full rows or for commercial use where maximum load matters more than maneuverability. The 130 has the largest cargo area behind the third row and the highest towing capacity, but it is harder to park and less nimble on tight trails.

Engine and transmission choices for 2025

The 2025 Defender offers two engine options across all body styles. The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel produces 201 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is the standard engine on most trims and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Diesel engines typically deliver better fuel economy on highway driving and more low-end torque for towing and off-road work.

The 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline six-cylinder produces 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. It is available on higher trims and is also paired with an eight-speed automatic. The gasoline engine accelerates faster and is quieter than the diesel, but typically costs more upfront and uses more fuel in mixed driving. Both engines come standard with all-wheel drive.

All 2025 Defenders use the same eight-speed automatic transmission. There is no manual option, and no continuously variable transmission (CVT). The transmission includes a terrain response system that adjusts shift points and throttle response based on driving conditions — sand, mud, rock, grass, snow, or dynamic (on-road) modes.

Trim levels and what each includes

The SE is the base trim, available on all three body styles with the diesel engine. It includes the essentials: cloth seats, a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic headlights, and a backup camera. The SE is the lowest-cost entry point and is often chosen by commercial buyers or those who plan to add aftermarket accessories.

The HSE adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power liftgate, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and upgraded interior trim. It is available with both engines and on all body styles. The HSE is where most retail buyers land — it offers comfort upgrades without the price jump of higher trims.

The First Edition is a mid-range trim that bundles popular options together: a panoramic sunroof, a Meridian premium audio system, adaptive LED headlights, and all-terrain tires. It is available on the 110 and 130 with both engines. This trim is designed to offer a curated package rather than forcing you to build options à la carte.

The Carpathian is the range-topping trim, available on all body styles with the gasoline engine. It includes everything from lower trims plus leather seats with contrast stitching, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and the Pivi Pro infotainment system with over-the-air updates. The Carpathian also comes standard with the all-terrain package, which adds electronic locking differentials and underbody skid plates.

Interior layouts and seating configurations

The 90 is always a five-seat configuration: two front seats and a three-person rear bench. There is no third-row option because the wheelbase is too short. If you need more than five seats, you must move to the 110 or 130.

The 110 offers two seating layouts. The standard configuration is seven seats: two front, three in the middle row, and two in a fold-up third row. You can also order a five-seat layout with a larger cargo area behind the rear passengers, which removes the third row entirely. Some buyers choose the five-seat version if they rarely carry more than four people and want the extra storage.

The 130 comes standard with seven seats in the same layout as the 110 (two front, three middle, two rear). Unlike the 110, the 130 does not offer a five-seat configuration — the third row is always present. The 130's third row has more legroom than the 110's because of the longer wheelbase, making it more comfortable for adults on longer drives.

Upholstery choices include textile cloth on base trims, leather on HSE and higher, and premium leather with contrast stitching on the Carpathian. Some trims also offer heated and ventilated front seats, and higher trims add heated rear seats.

Off-road packages and terrain capabilities

The all-terrain package is available on most trims and includes electronic locking differentials (front and rear), all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, and a raised suspension. This package is standard on the Carpathian and optional on lower trims. If you plan any serious off-road driving, this package is worth the cost because it fundamentally changes how the vehicle handles rough terrain.

The terrain response system comes on all 2025 Defenders and includes preset modes for different surfaces: grass, gravel, mud, sand, rock, snow, and dynamic (on-road). You select the mode using a dial on the dashboard, and the system automatically adjusts engine response, transmission shift points, traction control, and suspension stiffness. This is not a substitute for the all-terrain package — it works with whatever suspension and tires you have — but it makes a noticeable difference in traction and control.

The wade fording capability is available on vehicles equipped with the all-terrain package. This includes a snorkel intake that draws air from higher on the vehicle, allowing you to cross water up to 35.4 inches deep. This is a specialized feature for serious off-road use and is rarely needed for everyday driving.

Technology and infotainment options

All 2025 Defenders come with a touchscreen infotainment system, but the size and capabilities vary by trim. The base SE has a 10-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The HSE and First Edition upgrade to a 12.3-inch screen with the same smartphone integration. The Carpathian gets the Pivi Pro system, which is a 13.1-inch screen with over-the-air software updates, wireless smartphone integration, and a more responsive interface.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard on HSE and higher trims, replacing the traditional analog gauges with a customizable digital display. This cluster shows navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and off-road information depending on which mode you are in. The SE trim retains a traditional analog gauge cluster.

The head-up display is available on higher trims and projects speed, navigation, and warning information onto the windshield so you do not have to look down at the dashboard. This is particularly useful during off-road driving when your attention needs to stay on the terrain ahead.

Towing capacity and payload by configuration

Towing and payload capacity depend on engine choice, body style, and whether you have the all-terrain package. The diesel engine generally offers higher towing capacity than the gasoline engine because of its torque characteristics. The 90 has the lowest capacity of the three body styles, and the 130 has the highest.

A 90 with the diesel engine can tow up to 5,511 pounds. A 110 diesel can tow up to 6,614 pounds. A 130 diesel can tow up to 7,716 pounds. The gasoline engine reduces these figures by roughly 500 to 1,000 pounds depending on body style. Payload capacity (how much weight you can carry in the bed or cargo area) ranges from about 1,100 pounds on a 90 to 1,400 pounds on a 130, again depending on engine and trim.

If towing is a primary use, the 110 or 130 diesel is the better choice. If you rarely tow and prefer acceleration and quietness, the gasoline engine works fine. Check the window sticker on any specific vehicle you are considering, because capacity can vary slightly based on options like roof racks or upgraded audio systems that add weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a manual transmission in the 2025 Defender?

No. All 2025 Defenders come with an eight-speed automatic transmission only. Land Rover discontinued the manual option after the 2023 model year. If a manual transmission is important to you, you would need to look at used 2023 or earlier models.

What is the difference between the First Edition and the Carpathian?

The First Edition is a mid-range trim available on the 110 and 130 with either engine. It bundles popular options like a sunroof and premium audio. The Carpathian is the top trim, available on all body styles, and includes more luxury features like a head-up display and the Pivi Pro infotainment system. The Carpathian also comes standard with the all-terrain package, which the First Edition does not.

Is the all-terrain package worth the cost if I mostly drive on roads?

If you drive exclusively on paved roads and never venture onto dirt or gravel, the all-terrain package is not necessary. It adds cost and slightly reduces fuel economy. However, if you occasionally encounter unpaved roads, gravel driveways, or light off-road trails, the electronic locking differentials and all-terrain tires make a real difference in traction and control. Many owners find it worth the investment for the capability, even if they rarely use it.

Which body style should I choose if I have a family of six?

The 110 or 130 with seven-seat configuration will work. The 110 is more nimble and easier to park, while the 130 offers more legroom in the third row. If your family is six adults, the 130 is more comfortable. If it is two adults and four children, the 110 is sufficient and easier to maneuver. Test drive both to see which feels right for your family's needs.

Does the diesel or gasoline engine get better fuel economy?

The diesel engine typically delivers better highway fuel economy, often 2 to 4 miles per gallon better than the gasoline engine on long drives. In mixed city and highway driving, the difference is smaller. The gasoline engine accelerates faster and is quieter, but costs more upfront. Your choice should depend on your typical driving pattern and how much you value acceleration versus fuel economy.