Cruising through code
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The current Land Rover Defender has enormous shoes to fill. It follows up from the original Defender launched way back in 1983, which itself was an evolution of the original Land Rover - not the brand, but the model itself which debuted in 1948. The new car launched in 2020 is a very different car, being much more sophisticated, but is still designed to appeal to those who really use their off-roaders hard.
The extra sophistication will make the Defender more appealing to regular SUV buyers though, where its chunky styling, punchy drivetrains and practical cabin all help it compete with conventional premium SUVs. The Defender’s new position in the market makes it more expensive than its predecessor, but buying used means you can save several thousand over a brand new equivalent.
For a handful of buyers, the less utilitarian approach taken by the latest Defender may rule it out, but we suspect the vast majority of potential buyers will appreciate the improved usability, refinement, and driveability of the latest Defender - and probably be taken by its chunky styling and far better performance too.
Land Rover will still sell you a more utilitarian version too. There’s a three-door 90 body style available, plus various design touches such as steel wheels and earthy colour schemes that fit with the old model’s countryside image. At the same time, there are more urbane options, with big alloy wheels and metallic paint that help it fit in cities and on motorways too - where the Defender is far more relaxing and comfortable to drive than its much-loved predecessor.
Comfort and equipment levels are right up there with more conventional SUVs, but it’s no less able as an off-roader - the Defender is packed with electronic tech to help you navigate tough terrain, but simply having plenty of wheel travel and great approach, break-over and departure angles helps too. Road handling is perfectly acceptable, and the high driving position is always appreciated for visibility.
The most obvious alternatives to the Defender are the similarly retro Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and the Ineos Grenadier - the latter a kind of spiritual successor to the original Defender. Other more conventional SUV rivals include the Audi Q7, BMW X7, and Mercedes GLS.
This depends largely on your needs, the biggest difference being whether you’re likely to use the Defender as a main family car, in which case the five-door 110 and 130 will be the most sensible options. The 90 still has rear seats but naturally access will be a little more difficult - though its shorter length makes it more wieldy, both around town and off road. In terms of engines, the six-cylinder diesels make the most sense, with good performance and better economy than the petrol engines.
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The latest Defender isn’t the rough-and-ready beast its iconic predecessor was - this is effectively a luxury car, and is specified to account for that. Defenders are available in three-door 90 form, and as 110 and 130 five-doors, plus a commercial van version called the Defender Hardtop.
The Land Rover Defender's dimensions are:
The Land Rover Defender 90 boot size is:
The Land Rover Defender 110 boot size is:
All Defenders are subject to a surcharge for costing more than £40,000 to buy brand new. This means that petrol and diesel versions will cost you £600 per year to tax while the car is two to six years old, only dropping down to a lower rate from year seven. The plug-in hybrid models are £10 cheaper to tax.
Insurance costs should be about what you’d expect for a large and expensive off-roader, with a basic three-door 90 with the D200 engine starting in group 27 (out of 50), while right at the top of the range, the Defender V8 is in group 48. The five-door 110 spans groups 33 to 47.
£58,462
£37,700
£68,412
£4,568 off£51,850
£56,550
£63,445
£53,424
£73,836
£49,000
£61,995
£63,863
£75,000
£53,541
£58,426
£40,950
£45,041
£70,460
inc. VAT£69,844
What is the most popular colour for Land Rover Defender ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Land Rover Defender ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Land Rover Defender ?
What is the most popular engine for Land Rover Defender ?
What is the average mileage for Land Rover Defender ?
16852
How many Land Rover Defender cars are available for sale?
621
