---
title: "2021 Land Rover Defender P400e: The 398-HP Plug-In Hybrid Off-Roader You Want"
description: "It'll travel up to 27 miles on electricity alone, but what we really care about here is instant torque."
date: "2020-09-09"
modified: "2020-09-09"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/36290/2021-land-rover-defender-p400e-the-398-hp-plug-in-hybrid-off-roader-you-want"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "Land Rover News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Defender"
  - "hybrid"
  - "land rover"
  - "luxury"
  - "suv/crossover"
---

# 2021 Land Rover Defender P400e: The 398-HP Plug-In Hybrid Off-Roader You Want

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/09/LR_DEF_PHEV_21MY_090920_02_ND.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Appearing to mirror the [Jeep Wrangler's powertrain release strategy](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36121/2021-jeep-wrangler-4xe-50-mpge-25-miles-of-electric-range-and-plenty-of-low-end-torque>), Land Rover has introduced a plug-in hybrid version of the Defender before we get [that sweet rumored V8](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/35126/theres-a-v8-land-rover-defender-coming-and-it-might-be-bmw-powered-report>). This is the 2021 Land Rover Defender P400e and on top of being the most fuel-efficient Defender out there, it also promises to be one of the most capable off-road thanks to that instant electric torque.

Using a 2.0-liter four-cylinder working in tandem with a 105-kilowatt electric motor drawing charge from a 19.2-kilowatt-hour trunk-mounted battery, the plug-in Defender is good for 398 combined horsepower, a zero to 60 mph sprint of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. More importantly, though, it apparently returns 85.3 mpg on the WLTP combined cycle and an electric-only range of 27 miles. On paper, that's two miles more than the plug-in Wrangler 4xe although given the different testing methods between the WLTP and EPA, we're gonna take the Defender's electric-only superiority here with a grain of salt.

Max towing capacity for the P400e comes in at 6,613 pounds, a marked downgrade from the 8,201 pounds and 7,716 pounds that the regular 3.0- and 2.0-liter versions can tow, respectively. Only available in four-door 110 guise, the plug-in Defender comes with 20-inch wheels and air suspension as standard equipment.

![message-editor%2F1599664233412-lr\_def\_phev\_21my\_090920\_24\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664233412-lr_def_phev_21my_090920_24_nd.jpg>)
*Land Rover*

![message-editor%2F1599664241094-lr\_def\_phev\_21my\_090920\_13\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664241094-lr_def_phev_21my_090920_13_nd.jpg>)
*Land Rover*

![message-editor%2F1599664247809-lr\_def\_phev\_21my\_090920\_21\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664247809-lr_def_phev_21my_090920_21_nd.jpg>)
*Land Rover*

![message-editor%2F1599664252286-lr\_def\_phev\_21my\_090920\_19\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664252286-lr_def_phev_21my_090920_19_nd.jpg>)
*Land Rover*

![message-editor%2F1599664257467-lr\_def\_phev\_21my\_090920\_15\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664257467-lr_def_phev_21my_090920_15_nd.jpg>)
*Land Rover*

Unlike most electrified variants of existing cars, Land Rover's latest hybrid looks pretty much identical to its more gas-guzzling counterparts. No closed-off grilles, no baby blue trim—just a Defender with a charge port on its left side that could easily pass as an extra gas door when closed.

Now for some bad news. The plug-in hybrid [Defender](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29747/the-2020-land-rover-defender-is-beyond-dope>) will be added to the model's 2021 lineup in the U.K., but as Land Rover confirmed to *The Drive*, it won't be sold in the United States for...reasons. Maybe they're waiting to see how [Jeep's Wrangler 4XE](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36121/2021-jeep-wrangler-4xe-50-mpge-25-miles-of-electric-range-and-plenty-of-low-end-torque>) fares first.

Stateside, the Defender's most notable 2021 model year enhancement is merely a new X-Dynamic model, a trim level that slots in between the existing Defender X and regular Defender and features seats and a center console trimmed in something called Robustec, a rugged material "inspired by textiles used in extreme outdoor activities." It also gets Silicon Satin skid pans front and rear as well as blacked-out wheels, mirror caps, side sills and fender trim.

![message-editor%2F1599664395347-lr\_def\_x-dyn\_21my\_090920\_03\_nd.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1599664395347-lr_def_x-dyn_21my_090920_03_nd.jpg>)
*2021 Land Rover Defender X-Dynamic, *Land Rover**

In the U.S., the 2021 Land Rover Defender will continue to be available with a turbo-four or mild-hybrid straight-six. Not that we'd ever condone violating any import laws but given the plug-in's lack of visual differentiation, it's unlikely people would notice *if* one were to sneakily have a P400e shipped over here anyway.

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## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)