:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24306180/226465_CES_S_Haddad.jpg)
Pros: Variety of engine and body styles; excellent ride, handling plus interior noise for an off-roader; go-anywhere capability
Cons: Sub-par fuel economy for a luxury SUV; pricey trims not overtly luxurious; definitely not cheap
Big, boxy, off-road-oriented SUVs are all the rage at the moment, especially when glammed up with ritzy, definitely-not-for-off-roading trim and luxury feature content. The 2023 Land Rover Defender definitely fits that bill, and indeed, it’s certainly popular among those who have no intention of ever venturing to the particular sorts of dirty places this mighty Land Rover is capable of. Yet, whereas other big, boxy, off-road-oriented SUVs make their owners suffer through rough rides, sloppy handling, booming interior sound and/or compromised interior space, the Property Rover Defender does not really. It’s practical, refined, comfortable and spacious. OK, so the two-door Defender 90 isn’t that will spacious, but the new three-row, eight-passenger Defensive player 130 certainly is. Basically, the Defender is a no-compromises off-roader and, if money will be no object, one of the best Sports utility vehicles you can buy.
Of course, money typically is an object of concern, and the Defender does not come cheap. The way-cool Defense 110 V8 pictured above cost more than $111, 000, plus even the most basic Defender starts at nearly $55, 000. It doesn’t take many options, including checking the mild-hybrid inline-six engine box, before you’ve zoomed past $70, 500. The good news is usually that you don’t really need that many options. The Defender is very well-equipped in its a lot more basic forms and those pricier versions do not offer the sort of overt luxury look and materials choices you’d find in a comparably priced Range Rover model. In other words, no shame in getting a lower cut model. But hey, if you’ve got the cash, you probably won’t regret enjoying the particular decadent, rich rumble associated with the OF V8 and the silky, effortless power it provides. It’s hard not to be smitten.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it’s like to drive | Pricing & Trim Levels | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What’s new for 2023?
The Land Rover Opponent 130 debuts , pictured above, adding a far more usable third-row seat than the rinky-dink one offered by the 110. Not only is their own adult-friendly legroom, but there are three seatbelts across, making the Defender one of the rare eight-passenger luxurious SUVs. This extra row is the particular result of 13. 4 inches of length tacked onto the back associated with the same 119-inch wheelbase. It’s not a difficult difference to spot, and indeed, the 130’s proportions certainly aren’t as tidy as its smaller siblings. The departure angle also suffers considerably, falling in order to 28. 5 degrees from 40. Every 130 comes with the particular inline-six engine and air suspension, plus like the siblings enjoyed, there will be the First Edition model that offers special color configurations and most available features.
What are the Defender interior and in-car technology like?
With its bold horizontal lines, metal trim, rubber flooring, numerous grab handles and bins galore, the Defender’s cabin has an undeniably rugged and functional vibe. Certainly more so than any some other Land Rover today. However, it may be rugged in appearance, but the components used are generally top-notch stuff worthy of commanding the top-notch price tag. Top trim levels can furthermore be spiffed up with open-pore wood trim plus fancy two-tone leather choices, but it is also not really enough to create the type of high-class look and feel you would find in other SUVs pushing and passing $100, 000.
Standard on every Defender is definitely Land Rover’s Pivi Pro 10-inch wide touchscreen (above middle) interface, but a good optional, taller 11. 4-inch touchscreen is available. The 10-inch standard screen is handsomely sandwiched in between the dash’s prominent horizontally cross-members, making it almost appear to be a cool retroactive modification. The larger screen juts out beyond those cross-members for a less elegant, integrated appearance. The user interface provided by those screens isn’t as well sorted as those associated with rival systems (we’ve found it to be buggy at times and the radio controls can frustrate), yet the graphics and overall aesthetic are pleasingly modern. The widescreen also doesn’t take advantage of its super-wide layout with a split display option. The particular optional all-digital instruments make a stronger impression, as they offer different design options that’ll provide as much or because little info as you’d like. That said, we’d also be just fine with the particular standard analog gauge cluster.
How big is the Defender?
There are now three body sizes, therefore that answer is the complicated 1. The most popular entire body style can be the four-door Defender 110, which is certainly sized comparable to a midsize high-class SUV like a BMW X5 . The two-door Defensive player 90 is then a whopping 17 ins shorter within overall size compared to 110 with a 10-inch shorter wheel base; the new eight-passenger Defender 130 has the exact same wheelbase since the 110 but will be 13. 6 inches longer (or about the same as the Lincoln Navigator ).
The 90’s small size makes it substantially more maneuverable off-road, however the interior is obviously much smaller and harder to access along with two fewer doors. Backseat legroom is usually actually fine, as the 36. six inches is definitely only 1 . 8 less than the notably spacious 110. Cargo space is an entirely various matter. The particular 90’s tiny 15. 6 cubic feet is lower than what you get behind the third rows of many midsize SUVs (though apparently it can still big enough(ish) in order to hold a Bernese Mountain Dog). In the Defender ninety, you’ll certainly need the cargo carrier or will have to leave your friends at the rear of.
That probably won’t be necessary in the particular Defender 110, which has a big, boxy cargo area (pictured above left) that we found swallows even more compared to its 35. 4 cubic feet would indicate . There’s furthermore plenty of thoughtful storage solutions throughout, plus highly configurable roof rails. Maximum capacity stands in 70. 4 cubic feet, plus the Defense has a fold-flat load floor. In terms of passenger area, the 110’s tall seating position and boxy shape provide an airy feel and superior visibility in order to go with ample first- and second-row space. Fitting a rear-facing child seat while maintaining enough front legroom was not problem. There is a third-row chair available (below left), but it’s so tiny plus leaves even less valuables space behind it than the D90 that it’s just not worth considering.
If you want a third row, get the brand new Defender 140. You’ll certainly lose much more off-road maneuverability and capability (especially in regards to departure angle), but a person gain the three-across third row where adults may actually fit (below right). Again, that will boxy shape is helpful here, too, since it provides a much less claustrophobic feel than additional three-row luxury SUVs. Valuables space with all three series up can be 13. 7 cubic feet (pictured over right), which may be better than the D110, yet still is one of the smallest amounts available in three-row vehicles.
Do you know the Opponent fuel economic climate and performance specs?
The standard 90 and 110 engine is a 2. 0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic is certainly on board along with a permanent four-wheel-drive system. Fuel economy is 17 miles per gallon city, 20 mpg highway and 18 mile per gallon combined within the 110 (the 90 is 18/21/19), and Property Rover says the 110 will go from 0-60 mph in 7. seven seconds (the 90 will it within 6. 7 seconds). This particular efficiency plus performance are usually unimpressive for a luxury SUV of its size (think a BMW X5 ), but also not bad for a heavy off-roading VEHICLE.
A 3. 0-liter inline-six is optional on the ninety and 110, and standard around the 145. It functions a smorgasbord of power-enhancing elements: a turbocharger, an electric supercharger and a mild-hybrid program. Output is really a significant step up at 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. The 0-60 time falls to five. 8 seconds in the particular 110, 5. 7 with regard to the 90 and six. 3 for the 130. Fuel economy increases slightly to 18 mpg town, 23 miles per gallon highway plus 20 mpg combined for that 90 and 110, plus 19/17/21 for your 130.
Optional on the 90 and 110 is a 5. 0-liter supercharged V8 that produces the stout 518 horsepower plus 461 pound-feet of torque. It gets bespoke transmission settings through the eight-speed automatic and is capable associated with sending the particular 110 from 0-60 mph in five. 1 mere seconds, as well as the ninety from 0-60 mph in just four. 9. Gas economy suffers, as the 110 V8 is rated at 14 mpg city, 19 mile per gallon highway and 16 miles per gallon combined. The particular 90 will be nearly identical, but the city rating ticks up to 15 mpg. We saw an average of about 16 mpg inside a week of testing.
What’s the Defender like to drive?
Like other Land Rovers, the Defender’s air suspension results in a controlled, buttery smooth trip that’s better than the vast majority of other Sports utility vehicles, let alone rugged off-roaders like the Wrangler , Bronco and 4Runner . Even the 90, with its short wheelbase that will brings harsher truck-like responses to potholes, is still a lot more comfortable than competitors. Each Defender’s steering is slow and requires plenty associated with turning per the off-roading norm, but it’s also incredibly precise plus provides impressive feedback regarding something therefore capable of climbing rocks. That air flow suspension also provides shockingly good road-holding, and we were frankly stunned from how well a V8-powered Defender 110 with its chassis within Dynamic managed to capably carve the mountain road. The long-travel brake pedal will definitely take some getting used in order to if you’re coming from a crossover or car, but the particular brakes are easily modulated and you get used to them. In total, there’s really simply no contest when it arrives to on-road drivability between the Defender and the ones other all-terrain competitors. Of course , the Land Rover is also a lot more expensive.
Off-road, all of us found this to become just as amazing thanks to the stiff “D7x” all-aluminum unibody, class-topping approach and leaving angles, optionally available adjustable atmosphere suspension, new screen-based Terrain Response system, two-speed transfer case, and with the a few. 0-liter motor option, a standard locking center differential and optional active rear-locking diff. Those are joined to techniques that — should a person choose — take all the guesswork out of four-wheeling, including a water-depth wading sensor and the camera view that essentially makes the hood disappear. This is a good invaluable feature when negotiating rocks or cresting a hill without a spotter – is that an equal slope on the various other side or a precipice? Naturally , opting intended for the ninety brings its own inherent advantages to off-roading if you are tackling tight and technical terrain.
As for the engines, the base inline-four’s 0-60 time won’t wow, but its abundant rpm and smart ZF automatic transmission should make it feel quick enough. Perhaps more to the point, the turbocharged, high performance and mild-hybrid 395-hp inline-six very much seems like overkill. In our 200-plus miles behind the wheel upon a trip up and over Oregon’s coastal mountains, we never came close to needing its full potential despite climbing steep grades plus passing slower vehicles. It also adds a lot more complexity to an already complex vehicle from a brand along with decades associated with questionable reliability.
All of that stated, we’ve furthermore now driven a Defender with the particular supercharged V8, and although it definitely provides whatever is more than overkill, holy cow is it easy to fall in love with. Besides the extra, buttery-smooth thrust, the particular engine flows through four fat tailpipes that deliver a rich, rumble that couldn’t possibly get old. Lay into it and that rumble becomes an angry warble that will never strays into silly popping and crackling. The Defender is a proper gentleman.
What other Land Rover Defender reviews can I read?
2021 Land Rover Defender 90 Off-Road Evaluation | No Time in order to Dry
We take the Defender ninety for the romp through an off-road course to see how Property Rover’s 2 doors handles the rough things.
Land Rover Defender 110 Luggage Test | Boxy is much better
Taking a close look with all of the Defender’s many cargo-related features plus design elements, plus how much it can bit at the rear of its back seat (the picture below is a hint).
2020 Land Rover Defender Inside Tour
A closer look at the interiors of both the Defensive player 110 and Defender 90.
2021 Land Rover Defense 90 First Drive Review | Turning heads on and off the beaten path
Our first go-round in the two-door Opponent where we all talk shop and offer initial driving impressions.
2020 Land Rover Defender 110 First Drive | As good as you hoped
Our first drive on American soil associated with the Defender 110, which includes off-roading traveling impressions.
2020 Property Rover Defensive player British 1st Drive
British correspondent Andrew English drives the particular Defender on its home turf.
2021 Land Rover Defense 110 in Colorado
All of us make the Defender appear pretty within this exclusive video of the Defender in beautiful Colorado.
What is the 2023 Opponent price?
We’ve already covered the differences within the various Defender body styles plus powertrains, right now it’s time to discuss the numerous trim amounts.
The base and S are usually the typical trim ranges where the particular upper S one has a lot more equipment. The particular SE has even more equipment and the regular six-cylinder engine, but largely looks the same inside and away. The X and X-Dynamic also have the standard six-cylinder, but possess unique design components and inside materials (the X’s part-black hood is usually its giveaway). The Defender V8 offers the obvious change under the hood, 22-inch wheels (which are the silly choice for an off-roader, we’d opt for something smaller), an unique upholstery of leather, suedecloth and an usual textile called Robustec, and most from the Defender’s available gear. There’s also the OF V8 Carpathian Version, named after “ Ghostbusters II ” villain Vigo the Carpathian (probably), that gets unique styling elements, including black wheels.
Defensive player 90
S: $56575
SE: $60, 850
X-Dynamic SE: $70, 575
By: $89, 875
V8: $109, 375
V8 Carpathian: $116, 475
Defender 110
Base: 54, 975
S: $59, 775
SE: $70, 775
X-Dynamic ZE: $73, 775
X: $92, 375
OF V8: $112, 775
V8 Carpathian: $119, 875
Defense 130
S: $69, 475
SONY ERICSSON: $79, 775
X-Dynamic SE: $82, 875
X: $101, 375
What are the particular Defender safety ratings plus driver assistance features?
Regular on each Defender is definitely forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, a driver inattention caution system, a 360-degree parking camera and wade sensing (basically the sonar system that can tell you exactly how deep water is). Adaptive cruise control is a stand-alone option.
The Opponent had not been crash tested simply by a third party on the period of this particular writing.
