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.
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.
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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.
Some other Defender Reviews
- Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S 2021 Radio Review
- 2020 Land Rover Defender Video Review
- Land Rover Defender V8 and XS Edition joins the range
- Land Rover Defender 2020 Launch
- We drive the all-new 2020 Land Rover Defender
- All new Land Rover Defender Brief Introduction
What is good? | What is not so good? |
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Also look at:
- Nissan Patrol
- Land Rover Discovery
- Toyota Prado Kakadu
- Audi Q8:
- Toyota LandCruiser GXL
- INEOS Grenadier
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
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.
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 |
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 network. Motoring 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.
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
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)
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
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)
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
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
- Behind the Wheel - 9/109/10
- Comfort - 9/109/10
- Equipment - 8/108/10
- Performance - 8/108/10
- Ride and Handling - 9/109/10
- Practicality - 9/109/10
- Fit for Purpose - 9/109/10
- 4WD Ability / Towing - 10/1010/10
- Technology / connectivity - 9/109/10
- Value for Money - 9/109/10
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.
