Land Rover is known for its capable and luxurious off-roading vehicles, and the Defender takes up a notch as being one of the brand’s most competent for exploring off the beaten path. Of course, some drivers won’t take advantage of the Defender’s off-road prowess, and that’s fine because it’s also a civilized daily driver. Downsides are below-average fuel economy and a cabin that’s not as upscale as the price point would suggest.
Base Price: $72,000
As Tested: $81,923
Horsepower: 395
Mileage: 17 mpg city/20 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
The Defender was available in the U.S. in the 1990s, and then an all-new version was introduced for the 2020 model year. Since then, some powertrains, trims and features have been added to the line-up.
The 2024 Defender comes in several different body styles and trims. The two-door version is the Defender 90, while the Defender 110 and 130 models have four doors. There are six trims: S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, Outbound (only available on the Defender 130 model) and Octa (only available on the Defender 110 model).
The Defender has room for five to eight people in two or three rows, depending on the body style.
There are five (!) engine options. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Available engines are a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque; a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that churns out 493 horses and 461 pound-feet; a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that cranks out 518 hp and 461 pound-feet; and if that’s not enough, there’s a twin-turbo 4.4-liter mild-hybrid V8 that makes 626 horsepower and 553 pound-feet. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The base engine has enough power for daily driving. If you’re serious about tackling rugged terrain, the six-cylinder or V8s would probably be better.
My tester has the turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder that makes 395 horses and 406 pound-feet of torque. It’s quick off the line and can hustle for merging and passing on the highway. The ride is fairly firm but still comfortable with the suspension soaking up bumps. The eight-speed shifts quickly and smoothly. Brakes and steering are responsive. Visibility to the front and sides is good, but the rear view is hampered by the spare tire. Basically, the Defender drives like a luxury SUV should. Most vehicles with such impressive off-road capability aren’t the best to drive in the city. But the Defender can do it all, and that’s saying something.
All Defender models come standard with four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, wade sensing and the Terrain Response system which lets you adjust settings for different driving conditions. Modes are grass/gravel/snow, mud ruts, sand, rock crawl, wade, and auto.
The optional Terrain Response 2 system takes things a step further. It can detect the type of terrain you’re on and will automatically adjust the settings and suspension. Other available off-road features include an electronic locking differential, low-speed off-road cruise control, and off-road tires.
Fuel economy is below average for a luxury midsize SUV, but not bad when compared with other off-road SUVs. EPA ratings for my Defender 110 tester with the six-cylinder engine are 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway with a combined rating of 18. I got 17 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
When properly equipped, the Defender can tow up to 8,200 pounds, which is excellent for a luxury midsize SUV.
The cabin has an open and airy feel, thanks to the Defender’s tall and boxy build. Materials have a nice look and feel, and passengers enjoy good leg- and headroom in both rows. A large touchscreen is in the center dash. Compared to other luxury SUVs, the cabin isn’t as luxe, but when compared to mainstream off-road vehicles, such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner, the Defender is upscale. The cabin is also very quiet, which is not usually the case in an off-road vehicle.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, surround-view camera system, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, heated, leather-wrapped and power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with 11.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10-speaker Meridian audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, several USB ports, wireless device charging, LED headlights with automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, universal garage door opener, sliding panoramic roof, and roof rails.
Available features include a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, tri-zone automatic climate control, four-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, premium leather upholstery, leather and microsuede upholstery, 14-way power-adjustable front seats with memory function, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, heated third-row seats, refrigerator bin in front console, 15-speaker Meridian audio system, Wi-Fi hot spot, interior ambient LED lighting, cabin air ionization, heated windshield, heated washer jets, 120-volt household-style power outlet, and an Activity Key (a lightweight and waterproof wristband that can lock and unlock your vehicle).
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and vehicle exit warning.
The infotainment system looks good with its large 11.4-inch touchscreen and sharp graphics. The system responds quickly to touch commands, but you’ll need to speak clearly and possibly repeat yourself for some voice commands. There are also some physical controls for climate settings and volume.
Cargo space in the four-door Defender with two rows is decent with 34 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 78.8 cubes with the second row folded. The tailgate swings out to the right instead of opening straight up, and the door is heavy, due to the mounted spare tire.
The good:
Available in several body styles and configurations
Impressive off-road prowess
Refined ride for driving on-road
Cabin has open and airy feel
Many standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Price climbs quickly with packages and options
Cabin not as posh as some luxury brands
Below average fuel economy
Heavy hatch door that swings right
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $72,000. The Cold Climate Package is $500 and includes a heated windscreen, heated washer jets, and headlight power wash. The Off-Road Pack is $1,550 and includes electronic active differential, domestic plug sockets, and off-road tires. The Air Suspension Pack is $1,600 and includes electronic air suspension and adaptive dynamics. Tasman Blue paint is $950. The tow hitch receiver is $700. ClearSight interior rear view mirror is $570. 40/20/40 split-folding and heated rear seats with center arm rest are $500. The Meridian surround sound system is $450. 20-inch, 5-spoke, satin dark grey wheels are $200. Air quality sensor is $100. Emergency pack is $75. Three-zone climate control is $400. Cabin air purification plus is $375. Interior protection pack is $300. Handover pack is $28. The destination fee is $1,625, bringing the grand total to $81,923.
Bottom line:
The 2024 Land Rover Defender is an off-road beast that’s equally at home on-road. You can explore the most rugged terrain and also have a nice luxury SUV that’s comfortable and civilized for city driving. That’s what makes the Defender stand out. Fuel economy isn’t great and the Defender can get expensive with options, but it’s tough to beat the Defender if you want a vehicle that can do it all.
