Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD 2021 Review

We drive the Land Rover Defender on a road test review

Land Rover Defender has been an icon for decades basically because it was a utilitarian 4WD that went almost everywhere and had a myriad of fans, even the Queen of England has been famously seen driving one around her farm.

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD front 2  But let’s be honest, the old model was an ergonomic nightmare. Enter the new model that was launched in Australia in August 2020 but in petrol mode only.

Well this week I’ve been driving the base model, with a few options of course with a diesel engine and it’s still just as awesome as the petrol models.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

The D250 comes with a 3.0L Twin Turbo In-line 6 Cylinder Diesel MHEV (Mild Hybrid) engine that produces power of 183kW @ 4,000 rpm and torque of 570Nm @ 1,250-2,250 rpm. This drives all four wheels through an 8 speed AT.

It comes with Land Rovers Terrain Response2 system and optional air suspension and as you would expect it’s off road capability is prodigious.

However it’s on road where the Defender excels. It has on road ride that few true 4WD wagons can match. In fact the only ones that do come from the Land Rover stable.

The new Defender is priced from $82,466 plus the usual costs but that price can rapidly escalate with options. It is however currently their bestselling model.

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD front

Some other Defender Reviews

What is good?

What is not so good?

  • Defender is actually very cool
  • On Road ride
  • 4WD and towing capability
  • Not a fan of the front jump seat
  • Long and expensive options list
  • Central controls a little stretch for driver

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD front seats

 Also look at:

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD boot

Model   

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD

Model Price From $82,466 MLP* Price-As-Tested: $99,596 MLP*
Engine 3.0L Twin Turbo straight Six MHEV Diesel
Drivetrain Terrain Response 2 4WD 8 speed Auto
Power 183kW @ 4,000 rpm
Torque 570Nm @ 1,250-2,250 rpm
Safety Five Star  ANCAP (tested 2020)
CO2 Emissions 207 g/km
0-100kmh / top speed 8.3 Secs / 188 kmh
Economy ADR / Tank 7.9 L/100km 8.9 L/100km over our test / 89L
Servicing Service Plans: 5 Years/130,000 max kms (whichever first) – $2650
Warranty 5yr/ Unlimited km with 5 Yr. conditional roadside assist

 *MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options.

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD dash

Overall Rating    

89/100

Behind the Wheel 9
Comfort 9
Equipment 8
Performance 8
Ride and Handling 9
Practicality 9
Fit for Purpose 9
4WD Ability / Towing 10
Technology / connectivity 9
Value for Money 9

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD rear

Dimensions

 
Overall Length 5018mm
Wheelbase 3022mm
Width / Height 2008mm / 1967mm
Unladen ground clearance / wading depth Up to 218mm / 900mm
Fuel Tank  / Turning Circle 89 Litres / 12.84mts KTK
Approach / rampover / departure degrees 30.1 / 22 / 37.7
Kerb Weight /  GVM / GCM / Payload 2347kg / 32005kg / 6700kg / 953kg
Max Roof Load: 168kg (Dynamic), 300kg (Static)
Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating 3500kg / 350kg

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio networkMotoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. That’s over 750,000 listeners a week.

Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia and has a weekly audience of over 450,000.

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD Profile

More Vehicle Specifications

Added Options: Price-As-Tested: $99,596 MLP*

  • Advanced Off-Road Capability Plus Pack $2,210
    • Terrain Response 2
    • All Terrain Progress Control
    • Configurable Terrain Response
  • Santorini Black Contrast Roof $2,171,
  • Front Jump Seat $1,853,
  • Off-Road Pack $1,663
    • Electronic Active Differential w/- Torque Vectoring By Braking
    • Black Roof Rails,
    • Domestic plug Socket
  • Cold Climate Pack $1,481
    • Heated Windscreen
    • Heated washer jets
    • Heated power wash
    • Heated steering wheel
  • Tow Hitch Receiver $1,432
  • Air Suspension Pack $1,309
    • Electronic Air Suspension
    • Adaptive Dynamics
    • Automatic Headlight Levelling
  • Clearsight Interior Rear-View Mirror $1,274
  • Privacy Glass $999
  • Leisure Activity Key $910
  • Heated Front Seats $806
  • Leather Steering Wheel $494
  • Matt Black Bonnet Decal $281
  • Leather Gearshift $247

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD engine

Engine Transmission, Suspension & Driving Dynamics

  • All Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Twin-speed transfer box (high/low range)
  • 8-speed Automatic Transmission
  • Terrain Response
  • Hill Launch Assist
  • Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
  • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • Low traction launch
  • Electronic Traction Control (ETC)
  • Roll Stability Control (RSC)
  • Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
  • Hill Descent Control (HDC)
  • Brake Hold
  • Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
  • Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
  • Wade Sensing
  • Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD grill

Exterior Features and Finishers

  • LED Headlights and LED Taillights
  • Automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers
  • Manual Headlight Levelling
  • Auto High Beam Assist
  • Signature graphic (Design vision C-Pillar graphic, with interior storage)
  • Heated, electric, power fold door mirrors with approach lights
  • and auto-dimming driver side
  • Electric windows with one-touch open/close and anti-trap
  • Heated rear window with timer
  • Rear wash wiper
  • Alpine lights
  • Puddle lights
  • Side-hinged tailgate
  • Follow me home lighting
  • Rear fog light(s)
  • Centre high-mounted stop light

Wheels and Tyres

  • 18” 10 Spoke Style 5093 Sparkle White
  • Off-Road Tyres (Wrangler A/T)
  • 18” Steel Full Size Spare Wheel

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD mrror

Seating, Interior Features and Finishers

  • 8-Way Semi-Powered Seats
  • Two-zone Climate Control
  • 40:20:40 Folding Rear Seats with Centre Armrest
  • Durable rubber cabin flooring
  • Durable rubber load space flooring
  • Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Driver and Passenger Sunvisors
  • Footwell lights
  • Front row lights only
  • Rear reading lights
  • Twin front cupholders
  • Overhead stowage for sunglasses
  • Glovebox storage with mechanical lock and light.
  • Loadspace cover
  • Hook(s) in loadspace
  • Assisted tailgate
  • Soft Door Close for tailgate (not powered)
  • Cross Car Beam in Light Grey Powder Coat Brushed Finish
  • Treadplates
  • Light Oyster Morzine Headlining
  • Manually Adjustable Steering Column
  • Cabin Lighting (Incl. White lighting: Front Downlighter, Front & Rear Door Signature Lines, Front & Rear Door Bin
  • Illuminations, IP Illumination, Console cubby Illumination, Front Footwell Illumination, Upper Canopy Illumination)

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD dash 3

Information, Communication & Entertainment

  • Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radio
  • Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
  • Online Pack with Data Plan
  • Pivi Pro (Connected)
  • 10″ Touchscreen
  • Analogue Dials with Central TFT Display
  • Sound System: 6 Speakers, 180W amplifier power
  • Remote
  • 12V power socket in loadspace
  • Trip computer

Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD front 3

Safety, Security & Driver Assistance

  • Keyless Entry and Push Button Start
  • 3D Surround Camera Incl. Multi Camera View, 360º View, 180º Rear View.
  • Forward View, Forward Traffic Detection, Forward Vehicle
  • Guidance, Tow Hitch Assist and ClearSight Ground View)
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (selectable)
  • Front airbags, with passenger seat occupant detector
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Rear Traffic Monitor
  • Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
  • Driver Condition Monitor
  • Locking Wheel Nuts
  • Emergency Brake Assist
  • Emergency Braking
  • Brake pad wear indicator
  • Blind Spot Assist
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • 360° Parking Aid
  • Rear Collision Monitor (Incl. Lane Keeping Aid, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse
  • Traffic Detection, Rear Pre-Crash and Driver Initiated Evasive Steering Support)
  • Clear Exit Monitor
  • Perimetric alarm
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
  • Customer Configurable Autolock
  • Power operated child locks
  • Seat belt reminder
  • Rear ISOFIX – Row 2 outboard seat
  • 9/10
    Behind the Wheel - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Comfort - 9/10
  • 8/10
    Equipment - 8/10
  • 8/10
    Performance - 8/10
  • 9/10
    Ride and Handling - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Practicality - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Fit for Purpose - 9/10
  • 10/10
    4WD Ability / Towing - 10/10
  • 9/10
    Technology / connectivity - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Value for Money - 9/10
8.9/10

Summary

However it’s on road where the Defender excels. It has on road ride that few true 4WD wagons can match. In fact the only ones that do come from the Land Rover stable.

The new Defender is priced from $82,466 plus the usual costs but that price can rapidly escalate with options. It is however currently their bestselling model.

Car Finance
About Rob Fraser 2506 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.