The cost for the 4-door Defender 110 begins at $53,400, while the 2-door Defender 90 starts at $54,000. The base price of the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is $68,000.
After a lengthy absence, the Land Rover Defender returned to the U.S. market as an all-new model. Despite being a modern and technologically advanced midsize luxury SUV, the Defender maintains its reputation as a superb off-road vehicle. One of our few issues is the vehicle’s dismal fuel economy.
The Defender is a highly customizable SUV thanks to its three body shapes, three engine options, and numerous trims and option packages. Land Rover allows you to configure your Defender to your specifications, prioritizing luxury, off-road prowess, or any mix.
Land Rover Defender has few direct competitors. It competes with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, both off-road royalty. Unlike these SUVs, the Defender is more extensive, luxurious, and expensive. Outside of Land Rover’s lineup, the Lexus GX is the closest competitor to the Defender among luxury SUVs. It is a sturdy off-roader, although it is somewhat old-fashioned.
The main event of 2023 will be the late-summer debut of the new Defender 130 with a 13.4-inch-longer body. This increases the vehicle’s cargo capacity and creates three rows of seating for adults in a 2/3/3 arrangement.
The 2017 Defender 130 is available as an S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X, or First Edition and is powered by either a 296-horsepower turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-6 or a 390-horsepower 3.0-litre 6-cylinder. While we anticipated the new 130 to be equipped with a V8, both available 6-cylinder engines have strong torque at low engine revolutions per minute.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Price
Prices begin at $54,000 for the 2-door Land Rover 90 S, $64,000 for the SE, $69,000 for the X-Dynamic SE, $75,000 for the 30th Anniversary Edition, $88,300 for the X, $107,900 for the V8, and $115,000 for the Carpathian.
The starting MSRP for the 4-door Land Rover Defender 110 is $53,400 for the Standard model, $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.
As a lengthier variant of the Defender 130, the P300 S begins at $68,000, followed by the P400 SE at $78,300. The Defender 130 is followed by the P400 X Dynamic SE, priced at $81,400, and the P400 First Edition, priced at $84,700. The most expensive Defender 130, the P400X, is $99,900.
The Land Rover Defender’s base price is comparable to that of the Lexus GX and Land Rover Discovery. Consider the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco if you’re searching for a less expensive vehicle with exceptional off-road skills. Even the most luxurious versions of these SUVs are cheaper than the least costly Defender.
Driving The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130
The Land Rover Defender, despite being primarily an off-roader, is a composed and comfortable SUV on the road. It is an off-road SUV that does not overlook its luxury SUV status. The ride is comfortable, and the handling and steering are composed. If you select the optional Air Suspension Pack, it is even more comfortable.
The standard 4-cylinder turbocharged engine provides acceptable performance for daily driving. If you like regularity, the Defender’s 6-cylinder and V8 engine choices make it a more robust SUV.
Off-road is where the Land Rover Defender excels. The Land Rover Defender is among the most competent off-road sport utility vehicles. The Defender’s standard four-wheel drive, twin-speed transfer case, and Terrain Response drive modes enable it to traverse virtually any terrain.
The Off-Road Pack and Advanced Off-Road Capabilities Pack (which requires air suspension) enhance the Defender’s off-road performance. They add components such as an active electronic differential, off-road tires, and All Terrain Progress Control, which functions similarly to cruise control for off-roading.
Interior Comfort
The Land Rover Defender’s interior follows the same design philosophy as its exterior. It has a basic design gives it a rough appearance, yet it’s packed with technology features you’d expect to see in a luxury SUV. A few interior components feel a tad subpar for a luxury automobile. Yet, this cabin is far more opulent than the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.
The cabin of the Defender is quite spacious due to its boxy design. The front seating area is significant, while the rear seats and cargo compartment of the 4-door Defender 110 are also exceptionally roomy. The 2-door Defender has less space than the 4-door model, but it is still a reasonably spacious 2-door SUV. This is also one of the few modern vehicles with a passenger-across front-row bench with a little seat between the driver and passenger.
The Defender 130 can accommodate 13.7 cubic feet of goods when the rearmost seats are used. The Lincoln Aviator has a cargo volume of 18.3 cubic feet. When the back seats of the Defender 130, which are split 40/20/40, are folded down, the cargo space improves to a good 43.5 cubic feet. With both rows folded, the maximum load capacity reaches 80.9 cubic feet, more space than the Aviator’s maximum capacity.
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Exterior Design
The Defender’s boxy design nods to its heritage while appearing contemporary. It combines design influences from previous Defender vehicles with the current Land Rover design language to create a luxurious yet rough appearance.
The Land Rover Defender, like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, is available in 2-door and 4-door body variants. Because of its shorter wheelbase and the lower total length, the 2-door Defender 90 is capable of more technical off-roading. The 4-door Defender 110 is a more practical, family-friendly option and an excellent off-road vehicle.
The Defender is more prominent than both the Wrangler and the Bronco. The 2-door Defender is comparable in size to the Discovery Sport, while the 4-door vehicle is comparable to the Discovery.
The new Defender 130 is around the same length as a Chevrolet Tahoe or GMC Yukon at 211 inches. Because the additional 13.4 inches are located behind the rear axle, this Defender’s overall proportions are improved without significantly affecting its off-road departure angles. (A boattail-style rear uplift helps keep the Defender 130’s departure angle at an acceptable 28.5 degrees.)
Sedona Red is a unique colour for the Defender 130, including an additional sunroof above the third row as standard equipment.
Favourite Features
OFF-ROAD PACK
The optional Off-Road Pack enhances the capacity of the Defender by adding off-road tires, a domestic power outlet, and an active electronic differential with torque vectoring by braking.
PIVI PRO INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
The standard Pivi Pro system has an 11.4″ touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and other features.
Standard Functions
The Standard version of the Defender comes standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive. The base trim comes Standard with a dual-speed transfer case, Terrain Response with off-road drive modes, LED headlights and taillights, rear fog lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone temperature control, heated front seats, wireless charging, two USB ports, two 12V power outlets.
The Defender’s standard infotainment system is the Pivi Pro system, which features an 11.4-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and navigation.
The Defender’s standard safety features include a driver condition monitor, emergency braking, a 360-degree camera (functional off-road), traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and wade-sensing.
In addition to its longer body, the new Defender 130 features standard air suspension, four-zone climate control, and a larger 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment display. The Defender 130 is also equipped with what3words navigation, allowing it to locate and travel to any 3-meter square on Earth without phone service.
Factory Options
The S trim adds some outstanding features to the Defender while preserving the standard drivetrain. It adds automatic high beams, 12-way power front seats with lumbar, grained leather and woven textile seating, a rear centre armrest, a Meridian sound system with 11 speakers, and a digital instrument cluster.
Land Rover enthusiasts will love the 30th Anniversary Edition’s retro design elements. It is based on the four-door P300 S and is coloured Fuji White with white-painted steel wheels. In addition to the optional Tow Pack, Off-Road Pack, and Cold Climate Pack, the 30th Anniversary Edition is distinguished by its more prominent wheel arches, roof rack, A-frame, deployable ladder, and mud flaps at the front and back. Only 500 units of this limited-edition model will be manufactured.
The mild hybrid, twin-charged 6-cylinder engine is standard on the SE model. It also includes a panoramic moonroof, front fog lights, improved LED headlights, 14-way power front seats with a driver’s seat memory, cooled front seats, and a 15-speaker Meridian audio system. Like the SE model, the X-Dynamic SE adds a rough aesthetic package with glossy and gloss black exterior trim.
The X model in the Defender series has the most off-road-oriented disposition. Standard equipment includes air suspension, an active electronic differential, and the Advanced Off-Road Capabilities Pack, which comprises All Terrain Progress Control, Terrain Response 2, and Configurable Terrain Response. It also features a comparable look package to the X-Dynamic SE variant. In addition, the inside has Windsor leather, heated back seats, and bright metal pedals.
The V8 model marks the debut of the optional supercharged V8 engine. In addition to a tow hitch receiver and Advanced Tow Assist, it offers a plusher inside with Ebony Windsor leather, Dinamica suede upholstery, Robustec seating, a heated steering wheel, three-zone temperature control, and satin chrome paddle shifters. Moreover, it has Terrain Response 2 with Dynamic Program.
The Carpathian Edition is similarly equipped to the V8 trim, adding a black contrast tailgate, Graphite exterior pack, satin protection film, and Carpathian Grey premium metallic paint.
Many option bundles and individual options enable you to configure your Defender to your liking. For instance, an Off-Road Pack enhances the vehicle’s off-road capabilities, while a Premium Upgrade Interior Pack increases its luxury. The 4-door Defender 110 is available with a Family Pack with a third row of seats and 3-zone climate control.
Extra Bright Pack is available with the Defender 130. The lower body panels of the 130 are finished in satin silver with this package, but only on models painted Hakuba Silver, Fuji White, and Yulong White. The box also features silver accents on the hood louvres and fenders and brilliant silver 20-inch Luna alloy wheels.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Land Rover Defender is offered with three different engines. The P300 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine powers the Standard and S trim levels and the newly introduced 30th Anniversary Edition. A 6-cylinder engine with a turbocharger, an electric supercharger, and a mild hybrid system powers the SE, X-Dynamic SE, and X versions. The V8 and Carpathian models are powered by a supercharged V8 engine with 518 horsepower.
Fuel efficiency figures for the Defender are not spectacular. The Defender is one of the least fuel-efficient SUVs in its class, even with the base 4-cylinder and mild-hybrid 6-cylinder engines. The supercharged V8 is so fuel-hungry that it cannot even attain 20 miles per gallon on the freeway.
Surprisingly, this Land Rover Defender 130 only has 6-cylinder engines, not the V8.
- 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (P300)
- 296 horsepower @ 4,000 rpm
- 295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,000 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/21 mpg (90), 17/20 mpg (110)
- 3.0-liter turbocharged (& electric supercharged) inline-6 w/mild hybrid (P400)
- 395 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
- 406 lb-ft @ 2,000-5,000 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg (90 & 110), 17/21 mpg (130)
- 5.0-liter supercharged V8 (V8)
- 518 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
- 461 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-5,500 rpm
- EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19 mpg (90), 14/19 mpg (110)
Several competing luxury SUVs offer much more space, though not quite as much off-road style, capability, or quality—a major reason why many individuals choose not to use Defender systems. A Mercedes-Benz GLS or an American variant, like the Cadillac Escalade or Jeep Grand Wagoneer, might be the best option if you need the space. However, the Land Rover Defender 130 remains a highly desirable alternative due to its shorter size and easier parking.
