The Land Rover Defender is one of the top off-road luxury SUVs, so it carries a hefty price tag. Though the 2024 Defender base model isn’t cheap, it’s much more affordable than the higher trims. Indeed, the top-tier 2024 Land Rover Defender Carpathian Edition costs twice as much as the base model.

The S is the 2024 Land Rover Defender base model

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offers 15 trim levels. It also comes in three body styles: Defender 90, Defender 110, and Defender 130. The D90 is a two-door that seats five or six. The D110 is a four-door fitting up to seven. And the D130 is a four-door with an extended wheelbase, a spacious third row, and accommodations for eight. The 2024 Defender base model is the S, including the D90 S, D110 S, and D130 S. 

As the smallest two-door, the Defender 90 S is the entry-level model. It starts at $56,400. The D90 S can fit five or six riders on grained-leather seats. Six passengers can fit in the D90 S if the buyer adds a front jump seat during the build process.

The base model has a 2.0-liter P300 inline-four gasoline engine and all-wheel drive. It makes 296 hp and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. 

Riding on 19-inch wheels with all-season tires, the 90 S touts many luxurious features for a base model. Exterior perks include automatic headlight leveling and high-beam assist, keyless entry, panoramic rear side glass, and heated electric power-fold door mirrors with approach lights and auto-dimming driver side.

Notable interior amenities are a heated leather steering wheel, two-zone climate control, 12-way heated semi-powered front seats, and a cargo cover.

As for infotainment tech, features include a 10-inch touchscreen, interactive driver display, smartphone pack, 400-watt Meridian audio system with a subwoofer, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD Radio.

The base model also abounds with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). They include emergency braking, blind-spot assist, 3D surround camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, rear traffic monitoring, a 360-degree parking aid, traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter, and wade sensing. 

What does the top-tier 2024 Land Rover Defender Carpathian Edition offer? 

Compared to the standard 2024 Land Rover Defender 90, the top-tier D110 Carpathian Edition is opulent. It starts at $118,600, more than double the price of the D90 S. Although the Carpathian Edition has four doors and a longer wheelbase than the D90 S, it seats only five and doesn’t offer an optional jump seat. That’s a letdown, but this range-topping trim delivers power, acceleration, and more.

The D110 Carpathian Edition packs a beastly 5.0-liter P525 V8 harnessing 518 hp, considerably more than the 296 hp in the base model. It also has many other performance upgrades. They include electronic air suspension with adaptive dynamics, an electronic active differential, terrain modes, and advanced tow assist. Riding on gloss-black 22-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, the Carpathian Edition can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds — 1.6 seconds faster than the D90 S.

What else do buyers get with the six-figure sticker price?

The exterior boasts Carpathian Grey premium metallic paint with satin protective film​, Shadow Atlas exterior accents,​ LED headlights with signature DRL, front fog lights, and darkened tail lights. Other exterior features are keyless entry, a sliding panoramic roof​, quad outboard-mounted exhaust pipes​, an electrically deployable tow bar​, and a black contrast roof, hood, and tail door.

Upgraded interior features include premium cabin lighting, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, three-zone climate control with a rear cooling assist, an air-quality sensor, and a cabin air purification system. The Carpathian Edition also has illuminated metal treadplates with V8 branding,​ satin-chrome gearshift paddles, and a heated suedecloth steering wheel​. 

Furthermore, the Robustec seats are swaddled in Windsor leather and Dinamica suedecloth. The front seats have 14-way power adjustability with heating and cooling. And the split-folding rear seats are heated and have a center armrest.

The Carpathian Edition’s many infotainment upgrades include an 11.4-inch touchscreen, head-up display, wireless device charger, and 700-watt Meridian surround-sound system with 14 speakers and a subwoofer.

Finally, in addition to all the base model’s ADAS features, the top trim touts a driver condition monitor. It can sense when the driver begins feeling drowsy, issues an alert message, and suggests taking a break.

Which trim provides the most value? 

Though the 2024 Land Rover Defender D110 Carpathian Edition boasts more power and features, is it really worth $60,000 over the base model, especially without a sixth seat? Though it’s a handsome off-road SUV, the top trim doesn’t offer consumers the most bang for their buck. 

Car and Driver reviewers think the trim that provides the most value at the lowest price is the 110 SE. Land Rover starts the D110 SE at $93,000. Its 493-hp 5.0-liter P500 gas engine can push the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. In addition, this four-door D110 can seat six.

Notable D110 SE perks are 19-inch aluminum wheels, automatic high beams, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, and a digital gauge cluster display. Land Rover also offers consumers the option to personalize their Defender builds through accessory packages and unique customizations.