curate1997 Land Rover Defender
Off-road-oriented luxury SUV · First generation (classic NAS Defender) (1993–1997)
About the Defender
The Land Rover Defender is Land Rover's most off-road-focused model line, and in the US the name covers two very different vehicles. Through 1997, it was a rugged, body-on-frame 4x4 sold in small numbers as the North American Specification (NAS) Defender. After a two-decade absence, the nameplate returned for 2020 as a thoroughly modern SUV that pairs serious off-road hardware with a premium cabin, competing with vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Toyota Land Cruiser, and upper-trim Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler models.
The modern Defender has earned a reputation for genuine off-road capability combined with everyday comfort and distinctive, boxy styling. It offers unusual breadth for one nameplate: two-, four-, and extended-wheelbase body styles, trims from practical to high-performance, and prices spanning a wide range. Buyers include outdoor-oriented families, luxury SUV shoppers who want capability and image, and enthusiasts. The 1997 NAS models, meanwhile, are sought-after collector vehicles that often trade well above their original prices.
The 1997 model: The classic Defender was a body-on-frame off-roader with solid axles, descended directly from the original Series Land Rovers, and was sold in the US only in limited numbers as the North American Specification (NAS) Defender. For 1997 — the final US model year and the only one in this catalog's range — the Defender 90 carried a 4.0-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Stricter US safety regulations, including new airbag requirements, ended imports after 1997.
- Modern generation (2020+) comes in three body styles: two-door Defender 90, four-door Defender 110, and extended-wheelbase Defender 130
- Seating ranges from five to eight depending on body style; the Defender 130 offers three rows
- Four-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, with a low-range transfer case and available air suspension
- US powertrains have included a turbocharged four-cylinder, a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six, and V8 options including the high-performance OCTA
- Properly equipped modern Defenders are rated to tow up to roughly 8,200 pounds
- 1997 models are classic body-on-frame NAS Defenders with a 4.0-liter V8 — now collector vehicles rather than typical used SUVs
Available trims
Where to find one
No 1997 listings right now — these zip codes have Land Rover Defender cars from other model years.
Other Land Rover Defender model years
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