Land Rover Defender trim comparison
2025 Land Rover Defender 130 P400 S vs 90 P525 V8
The Defender 130 P400 S starts at $77,700 while the 90 P525 V8 is $109,800. That $32,100 gap buys 5 meaningful differences.
This trim jump changes the engine from 3.0L I6 mild-hybrid 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 makes sense. If not, the 130 P400 S is the cleaner stop because this jump matters for the powertrain first and the trim badge second.
If you are budgeting this move monthly, the jump from the 130 P400 S to the 90 P525 V8 is about $566/month on a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR with 10% down. That works out to roughly $33,960 more by the time interest is counted. 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 130 P400 S and 90 P525 V8 are mechanically identical where it counts: the same 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
The upgrade math
You are paying $32,100 for 4 measurable differences, which works out to about $8,025 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. 5 specification differences, 1 shared.
Full Specification Comparison
Specifications reflect available data as of early 2025. Confirm details with an authorized dealer before purchasing.
| Spec | 130 P400 S | 90 P525 V8 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| MSRP | $77,700 | $109,800 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 3.0L I6 mild-hybrid | 5.0L V8 |
| Horsepower | 395 hp | 518 hp |
| Torque | 406 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 | 20 | 19 |
| Combined MPG | 19 | 16 |
| Fuel Tank | 23.8 gal | 23.8 gal |
| Annual Fuel Cost (EPA) | No published data | $3,600/yr |
| Dimensions | ||
| Wheelbase | 119.0" | 101.9" |
| Length | 211.7" | 180.5" |
| Height | 77.6" | 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.
2025 Land Rover Defender 130 P400 S vs 90 P525 V8 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 2025 Defender 90 P525 V8 cost than the 130 P400 S?
The 90 P525 V8 starts at $109,800 compared to $77,700 for the 130 P400 S. That is a $32,100 difference, or approximately $566/month more on a 60-month loan.
Do the 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 P400 S and 90 P525 V8 have the same engine?
No. The 130 P400 S uses a 3.0L I6 mild-hybrid (395 hp, 406 lb-ft), while the 90 P525 V8 has the 5.0L V8 (518 hp, 461 lb-ft). That is 123 more horsepower. Both pair with the same 8-speed shiftable automatic.
Do the 2025 Defender 130 P400 S and 90 P525 V8 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 2025 Land Rover Defender come with?
All 2025 Land Rover Defender trims, including both the 130 P400 S and 90 P525 V8, 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 2025 Land Rover Defender 90 P525 V8 worth $32,100 more than the 130 P400 S?
The $32,100 buys the 5.0L V8. If that powertrain matters for how you drive, yes. If not, the 130 P400 S does the same job for less.
Which 2025 Land Rover Defender trim gets better fuel economy, the 130 P400 S or the 90 P525 V8?
The 130 P400 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.
What $32,100 Gets You
At $32,100 more, the Defender 90 P525 V8 adds the 5.0L V8 engine (+123 hp). This is a situational call. If those features are on your must-have list, the upgrade makes sense. If not, the 130 P400 S delivers the same core Defender experience for less.
130 P400 S vs. 90 P525 V8: Day-to-Day
The 90 P525 V8 comes with the 5.0L V8 instead of the 130 P400 S's 3.0L I6 mild-hybrid. That means 123 more horsepower and 55 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 130 P400 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.
Summary
The Defender 90 P525 V8 costs $32,100 more than the 130 P400 S (about $566/month more on a 60-month loan). That buys 4 meaningful changes at $8,025 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 130 P400 S
Value-trim add-onsThese picks fit the 130 P400 S best when the goal is covering the daily-use gaps without paying up to the next trim.
Land Rover Defender 90 P525 V8
Step-up trim add-onsThese picks suit the 90 P525 V8 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 2025 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.