Land Rover Defender 110-2023 -Review

RAMI 20 June 2023

0 83 8 minutes read

Land Rover Defender 110: The 4-door Defender 110 is priced at $53,400, while the 2-door Defender 90 is priced at $54,000. The starting price of the new, extended-length 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is $68,000.

After a protracted absence, the Land Rover Defender returned to the American market as a brand-new model. The Defender is a stylish and high-tech midsize luxury SUV that retains its reputation as a superb off-road vehicle. Its poor fuel efficiency rating is one of our few criticisms.

The Defender is a fully customizable SUV with three body types, three engine options, and various trims and option packages. Land Rover allows you to customize your Defender precisely to your preferences and prioritize either luxury or off-road prowess or any other mix of the two Defender characteristics.

The Land Rover Defender’s main competitors are limited. It may be said to be in competition with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, two more well-known brands in the off-road kingdom. Conversely, the Defender is more extensive, costly, and abundant than other SUVs. The Lexus GX, a capable off-road vehicle but somewhat antiquated, is the Defender’s closest rival in luxury SUVs outside of Land Rover’s portfolio.

The new Defender 130, which has a body lengthened by 13.4 inches, will arrive in the latter part of the summer of 2023. This increases the vehicle’s capacity for cargo and creates three rows of adult-sized seats in a 2/3/3 arrangement.

The new Defender 130 is powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder with 395 horsepower or a turbocharged 296-horsepower mild-hybrid inline-6 that is offered as an S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X, or First Edition variant. Despite our expectations, the new 130’s 6-cylinder engines provide strong torque at low rpm.

Pros

exceptional off-road skills
spacious seating
The 4-door model has a ton of cargo room.

Cons

Poor fuel economy
Some sub-par interior materials
Land Rover reliability

What’s New?

Defender 130’s new, longer 11.4-inch infotainment system is standard today, and the 30th Anniversary Edition has been introduced.

Pricing for a 2023 Land Rover Defender 110

The starting price for the two-door Land Rover 90 is $54,000 for the S model, $64,000 for the SE, $75,000 for the 30th Anniversary Edition, $88,300 for the X, $107,900 for the V8, $115,000 for the Carpathian.

The starting MSRP for the 4-door Land Rover Defender 110 is $53,400 for the Standard trim, $55,300 for the S, $66,900 for the SE, $72,200 for the X-Dynamic SE, $90,800 for the X, $111,300 for the V8, and $118,400 for the Carpathian.

The P300 S, a more extended Defender 130 variant, goes for $68,000, followed by the P400 SE for $78,300. Moving up, the P400 X Dynamic SE and P400 First Edition Defender 130s start at $81,400 and $84,700, respectively, and are the following Defender 130 models. The P400X, the most expensive Defender 130, is $99,900.

The Land Rover Defender’s beginning pricing is comparable to that of the Land Rover Discovery and Lexus GX. Look at the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco if you’re searching for something more economical with exceptional off-road skills. Even the higher-end versions of such SUVs are less expensive than the base Defender.

Driving The 2023 Land Rover Defender 110

For a vehicle that is mainly an off-roader, the Land Rover Defender is a poised and comfortable SUV on the road. It is an off-road SUV that never loses sight of its status as a premium SUV. The steering is quick, the handling is composed, and the ride is comfortable. If you choose the optional Air Suspension Pack, it becomes even more comfortable.

The standard 4-cylinder turbocharged engine offers sufficient horsepower for daily driving. If you have a taste for performance, the Defender’s more powerful 6-cylinder and V8 engine choices make it a more powerful SUV.

Where the Defender excels is off-road. The Land Rover Defender is, in a nutshell, one of the best off-road SUVs money can buy. With standard 4-wheel drive, a twin-speed transfer box, and Terrain Response driving modes, the Defender can traverse practically any terrain you may come across.

The Defender becomes an even better off-roader with the optional Off-Road Pack and Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack (which needs air suspension). All Terrain Progress Control, which functions like cruise control for off-road driving, an active electronic differential, and off-road tires, are features they offer.

Comfortable Interior: Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender’s interior follows the same design principles as its appearance. Its brief appearance gives it a rugged impression, yet it is packed with the kind of technological amenities you’d find in a high-end SUV. For a premium car, certain inside materials felt a touch lacking. However, its inside is far more opulent than off-road superstars like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

The Defender’s boxy shape results in a somewhat big cabin. The 4-door Defender 110 has enough room for passengers in the front seats and plenty of room for goods in the rear seats. Despite having less space than its 4-door sibling, the 2-door Defender is a spacious SUV. This is also one of the few modern cars that allow a bench seat between the driver and passenger in the front row.

The Defender 130 provides 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space when the rearmost seats are occupied. 18.3 cubic feet are the equivalent of a Lincoln Aviator. The Defender 130’s split 40/20/40 rear seats may be folded to boost the load space to a practical 43.5 cubic feet. With both rows folded, the maximum load capacity is 80.9 cubic feet, more space than the Aviator’s maximum load capacity.

Exterior Design: Land Rover Defender

The Defender’s boxy style nods to its moniker’s history while seeming utterly contemporary. It creates a luxurious but unmistakably rough image by fusing design influences from previous Defender models with the current Land Rover design language.

There are 2-door and 4-door body types for the Land Rover Defender, like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Due to its shorter wheelbase and the smaller total length, the 2-door Defender 90 may engage in more intricate off-roading. The more practical and family-friendly option is the 4-door Defender 110, which is still a fantastic off-roader.

The Defender is more prominent than the previously stated Wrangler and Bronco. The 2-door Defender and 4-door models in the Land Rover series are nearly the exact sizes as the Discovery Sport and the Discovery, respectively.

The new Defender 130’s total length, 211 inches, is comparable to that of a Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon. Also noteworthy: This Defender’s overall proportions are increased without significantly affecting off-road departure angles since the additional 13.4 inches are entirely aft of the rear axle. (A little boattail-style rear elevation aids in maintaining Defender 130’s reasonable departure angle of 28.5 degrees.)

The Defender 130 is the only vehicle that can be painted Sedona Red, and it also has a standard additional sunroof over the third row.

Favorite Features:

The Off-Road Pack increases the Defender’s capabilities by including off-road tires, a domestic power outlet, and an active electronic differential with torque vectoring by braking.

PIVI PRO infotainment system

The 11.4-inch touchscreen of the standard Pivi Pro system is filled with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other features.

Regular Features:

The Defender’s 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder basic engine has an 8-speed automated gearbox and 4-wheel drive as standard equipment. A twin-speed transfer box, Terrain Response with off-road driving modes, LED headlights and taillights, rear fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone temperature control, heated front seats, wireless charging, two USB ports, and two 12V power plugs are all included as standard equipment in the primary grade.

The Defender’s standard infotainment system is the Pivi Pro system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen featuring SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and navigation.

A driver condition monitor, emergency braking, a 360-degree camera (great to have off-road), traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, wade-sensing, and more are all standard safety systems on the Defender.

The new Defender 130 features a lengthened body, a bigger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment screen, 4-zone temperature control, and standard air suspension. Additionally, the Defender 130 has what3words navigation, enabling it to locate and travel to any 3-meter square on Earth without a phone connection.

Factory Options: Land Rover Defender

The Defender’s basic drivetrain is kept, but the S trim upgrades it with several fantastic extras. Automatic high beams, 12-way power front seats with lumbar adjustments, grained leather, woven textile upholstery, a rear center armrest, an 11-speaker Meridian audio system, and a digital instrument panel are all added features.

The 30th Anniversary Edition’s retro design cues will appeal to Land Rover enthusiasts. It is based on the 4-door P300 S and has white-painted steel wheels and Fuji White paint. The 30th Anniversary Edition is distinguishable by its more prominent wheel arches, roof rack, A-frame, deployable ladder, front and rear mud flaps, and the Tow Pack, Off-Road Pack, and Cold Climate Pack as available accessories. Only 500 units of this particular edition model will be produced in total.

The SE model makes the mild hybrid, twin-charged 6-cylinder engine standard. A panoramic sunroof, front fog lights, updated LED headlights, chilled front seats, a 15-speaker Meridian audio system, and 14-way power front seats with a memory driver’s seat are also included. Like the SE model, the X-Dynamic SE trim adds a rugged aesthetic package with glossy and gloss black exterior trim.

The Defender lineup’s X model boasts the Defender’s most off-road-focused disposition. It has an active electronic differential, air suspension, and the Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack’s All Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, and Configurable Terrain Response as standard features. Additionally, it shares a design package with the X-Dynamic SE model. Other interior additions include Windsor leather, heated back seats, and shiny metal pedals.

The supercharged V8 engine is a feature available with the V8 model. The inside is more opulent with Ebony Windsor leather, Dinamica suede upholstery, Robustec seats, a heated steering wheel, 3-zone temperature control, and paddle shifters in satin chrome. It also has some advantages for towing, including a tow hitch receiver and Advanced Tow Assist. Additionally, Terrain Response 2 with Dynamic Program is included.

The top Carpathian Edition is identically outfitted to the V8 trim, except for an aesthetic package that includes a black contrast tailgate, Graphite exterior pack, satin protection film, and Carpathian Grey premium metallic paint.

You may modify your Defender any way you’d like with a few option packages and individual settings. For instance, an Off-Road Pack enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities, while a Premium Upgrade Interior Pack makes the interior more opulent. The third row of seats and 3-zone temperature control is offered with the Family Pack for the 4-door Defender 110.

The Extended Bright Pack is offered with the Defender 130. Only models painted in Hakuba Silver, Fuji White, and Yulong White get the satin silver finish on the lower body panels 130 with this package. Additionally, 20-inch Luna alloy wheels with a brilliant silver finish are included in the box, along with silver accents on the hood louvers and fenders.

Transmission & Engine

The Land Rover Defender has three different engine options available. The turbocharged 4-cylinder P300 drivetrain powers the Standard and S grades and the recently introduced 30th Anniversary Edition. The SE, X-Dynamic SE, and X versions include a powerful 6-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, electric supercharger, and mild hybrid system. The V8 and Carpathian grades employ a powerful supercharged V8 that generates a staggering 518 horsepower.

The Defender has average fuel efficiency ratings. The Defender is one of the least efficient SUVs in its class, even with the basic 4-cylinder and mild-hybrid 6-cylinder engines. Unsurprisingly, the supercharged V8 uses a lot of petrol and barely gets 20 mpg on the interstate.

Surprisingly, the Defender 130 version of this Land Rover only has 6-cylinder engines; there is no V8.