Land Rover Defender trim comparison
2024 Land Rover Defender 90 P300 S vs 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition
The Defender 90 P300 S starts at $56,400 while the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition is $115,300. That $58,900 gap buys 7 meaningful differences.
This trim jump changes the engine from 2.0L I4 Turbo to 5.0L V8. Everything else is secondary to whether that powertrain difference matters for how you drive.
If you would notice the 5.0L V8 every week, the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition makes sense. If not, the 90 P300 S is the cleaner stop because this jump matters for the powertrain first and the trim badge second.
Think about this as a monthly tradeoff, not just a sticker gap. The 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition adds about $1037/month on a typical 60-month loan, or around $62,220 more overall with interest. If that different powertrain is not part of your real use case, the cheaper trim keeps more money in your pocket without changing the core experience you need.
Lock one trim, change the other side, and move through exact pair pages without resetting back to the full lineup every time.
Who notices the difference
The higher trim starts to make more sense when you are specifically shopping for the stronger powertrain, not just more trim content.
When both feel the same
The 90 P300 S and 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and identical wheelbase and body dimensions.
The upgrade math
You are paying $58,900 for 6 measurable differences, which works out to about $9,817 per change.
Key Differences at a Glance
This is the fast read: price, power, efficiency, and the feature flips most likely to change the answer.
Every Difference, Side by Side
This is the full read behind the quick decision signals above: the complete hardware, comfort, and equipment story. 7 specification differences, 1 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2024. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | 90 P300 S | 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $56,400 | $115,300 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0L I4 Turbo | 5.0L V8 |
| Horsepower | 296 hp | 518 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 461 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| City MPG | 18 | 15 |
| Highway MPG | 21 | 19 |
| Combined MPG | 19 | 16 |
| Fuel Tank | 23.4 gal | 23.4 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | $3,050/yr | $3,600/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Curb Weight | 3,870 lbs | 5,445 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 101.9" | 101.9" |
| Length | 180.5" | 180.5" |
| Height | 77.5" | 77.5" |
| Warranty | ||
| Bumper-to-Bumper | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Powertrain | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
| Corrosion | 6yr/unlimited | 6yr/unlimited |
| Roadside Assistance | 4yr/50k | 4yr/50k |
Data sources: licensed third-party automotive data, EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and official manufacturer materials. Values marked est. are estimated.
2024 Land Rover Defender 90 P300 S vs 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition Questions Shoppers Ask
Use this page for the direct trim answer, then zoom back out to the Land Rover Defender lineup, the Land Rover brand hub, the Midsize SUVs, the how to pick a trim guide, or our mid-trim value research when you need the bigger shopping path behind this one matchup.
How much more does the 2024 Defender 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition cost than the 90 P300 S?
The 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition starts at $115,300 compared to $56,400 for the 90 P300 S. That is a $58,900 difference, or approximately $1037/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 P300 S and 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition have the same engine?
No. The 90 P300 S uses a 2.0L I4 Turbo (296 hp, 295 lb-ft), while the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition has the 5.0L V8 (518 hp, 461 lb-ft). That is 222 more horsepower. Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Do the 2024 Defender 90 P300 S and 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition have the same drivetrain?
Yes. Both come with AWD as standard. The differences between these trims are in features and equipment, not drivetrain.
What warranty does the 2024 Land Rover Defender come with?
All 2024 Land Rover Defender trims, including both the 90 P300 S and 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition, come with Land Rover's standard warranty: 4yr/50k bumper-to-bumper and 4yr/50k powertrain coverage. Warranty does not vary by trim level.
Is the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition worth $58,900 more than the 90 P300 S?
The $58,900 buys the 5.0L V8. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the 90 P300 S does the same job for less.
Which 2024 Land Rover Defender trim gets better fuel economy, the 90 P300 S or the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition?
The 90 P300 S is the more efficient of the two at 19 combined MPG, versus 16 for the other trim. That matters most if you are balancing running costs against the extra power, drivetrain, or comfort equipment tied to the pricier trim.
The Full Story Behind This Price Gap
Use the direct answer above for this exact matchup, then use these guides to understand whether you are really looking at a feature step-up, a package shuffle, or the point where the lineup starts changing in a meaningful way.
Breaking Down the $58,900 Gap
Same drivetrain, $58,900 more. The Defender 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition adds minor equipment upgrades over the 90 P300 S, but the core driving experience is identical.
How the 90 P300 S and 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition Feel Different
Moving from the 90 P300 S to the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition means a different engine entirely. That means 222 more horsepower and 166 more lb-ft of torque. You will notice it most when merging, passing, or climbing at speed. In return, expect about 3 fewer combined MPG.
Fuel Economy Comparison
The Defender 90 P300 S gets 3 more combined MPG. At $3.50/gallon and 12,000 miles/year, that saves roughly $414 per year or $2,070 over five years of ownership.
The Short Version
The Defender 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition costs $58,900 more than the 90 P300 S (about $1,037/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 6 meaningful changes at $9,817 per change. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on which features matter to your daily driving.
Trim-Matched Accessories
These add-ons are split by trim intent so the recommendations follow the actual use case, not just the same repeated product block.
Land Rover Defender 90 P300 S
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 90 P300 S best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Land Rover Defender 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 90 P525 V8 Carpathian Edition when you want the accessories to match the nicer cabin, broader utility, or more premium use case.
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Specifications shown combine licensed third-party automotive data with official manufacturer, EPA, and NHTSA source material for the 2024 model year. Actual pricing, features, and availability may vary by region and dealer. Always confirm details with an authorized dealer before making a purchase decision. TrimAtlas is not affiliated with Land Rover or any dealership.
Page updated 2026-04-12. Verify equipment, pricing, and regional availability with the manufacturer or dealer.