The Land Rover Defender is making its traditional tailgate-mounted spare tire optional, giving buyers a factory-approved way to remove the familiar feature before taking delivery. The new spare tire delete option is currently available for the two-door Defender 90 in Europe, but Land Rover has not announced pricing or confirmed whether it will be offered in North America.
Why the Defender Keeps Its Tailgate-Mounted Spare
Early off-road vehicles commonly carried their spare tires on the tailgate for practical reasons. The placement made the spare easier to access, helped preserve departure angles and freed up space inside the cabin.
Over time, many automakers moved spare tires beneath the chassis, under the floor or eliminated them altogether. The Land Rover Defender remains one of the models that retains the tailgate-mounted design, combining its traditional appearance with the practical purpose behind the original layout.
Land Rover Makes the Spare Tire Optional
Despite its classic look, a tailgate-mounted spare tire is not for everyone. The added weight places more strain on the door, the tire can partially obstruct rearward visibility, and damage in a rear-end collision can make repairs more expensive.
Aftermarket companies have offered spare tire delete kits for owners who prefer a cleaner, less bulky rear end. Land Rover is now offering a similar option directly from the factory, allowing customers to select a Defender without the tailgate-mounted spare before delivery.
However, several details remain unclear. Land Rover has not announced the price of the factory option, and its availability outside Europe has not been confirmed. Land Rover North America has not issued an official statement on whether U.S. buyers will be able to choose it.
Spare Tire Delete Is Limited to the Defender 90
The factory spare tire delete option is not available across the entire Defender lineup, at least for now. According to Motor1, the option is offered on the two-door Defender 90.
It remains unclear whether Land Rover will extend the option to the four-door Defender 110 or the three-row Defender 130. No details have been provided about whether those body styles will receive the same choice in the future.
What Removing the Spare Means for Off-Roading
Removing the tailgate-mounted spare makes the Defender 90 less bulky and can improve its maneuverability. However, it is not clear whether the spare tire is relocated elsewhere on the vehicle or removed altogether.
That distinction matters for owners planning to take the SUV off-road, where access to a spare tire may be important. The delete option also does not change the Defender 90’s tailgate design, which remains a swing-out configuration like the standard model.
For now, the factory spare tire delete offers Defender 90 buyers another way to customize the SUV’s traditional rear-end layout. Pricing, availability in North America and potential expansion to other Defender body styles remain unconfirmed.
