Land Rover Defender — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
Land Rover's iconic off-roader. Real-world fuel economy is modest given its weight and capability. The Defender 90 uses slightly less fuel than the Defender 110.
The Land Rover Defender is a modern reimagining of the iconic off-roader, combining supreme capability with refined road manners and high-tech cabin systems. It is available as a short-wheelbase 90 or a spacious five-door 110.
Under the hood, modern versions use 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium diesel engines featuring mild-hybrid technology. These engines are quiet, powerful, and designed to haul heavy loads and navigate rough terrain with ease.
Running a Defender means higher fuel costs. A real-world average of 30 MPG is typical for mixed driving. Utilizing three-wheel drive where appropriate or highway speeds of 60-65 mph are key strategies for managing fuel costs.
TL;DR
30 MPG
Real-world diesel
89L
Tank capacity
£121.75
Full tank (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The Land Rover Defender achieves an estimated 30 MPG in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 89-litre tank completely costs approximately £126.47 at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
30
Real-world MPG
Diesel
34.9
Official WLTP
Diesel
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £1077 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £1593 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £2153 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £3230 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £4307 |
| Full tank (89L) | £126.47 |
| Cost per mile | 21.5p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the Defender compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your Defender
The Defender is heavy and boxy; keeping motorway speeds at 65 mph rather than 75 mph improves fuel economy significantly.
Maintain a steady throttle and use the gearshift indicator to prevent the engine from laboring under load.
Check tyre pressures regularly; the wide off-road tyres can drag down MPG if they are under-inflated.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a Land Rover Defender achieving ~30 MPG real-world, if you fill 71 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£7.10
Gross saving on fuel
£0.65
Cost of 3-mile detour
£6.45
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 33 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the Land Rover Defender?
The Land Rover Defender achieves approximately 30 MPG diesel in real-world conditions, around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 34.9 MPG.
How much does it cost to fill a Land Rover Defender?
The Land Rover Defender has a fuel tank of 89 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £121.75. Diesel costs approximately £126.47 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a Land Rover Defender?
At 7,400 miles/year and 142.1p/litre diesel, a Land Rover Defender costs approximately £1593 per year in diesel.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a Land Rover Defender?
In a Land Rover Defender doing ~30 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 71-litre fill nets approximately £6.45 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 33 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the Land Rover Defender cost per mile in fuel?
The Land Rover Defender costs approximately 21.5p per mile in diesel at current UK prices.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the Land Rover Defender?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the Land Rover Defender is 34.9 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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