Land Rover has brought back the Defender and thankfully its nothing like the old one While the all new Defender retains definite design homage to the original, it’s completely different. And that is a good thing.
The old Defender was a beast off road in its 4WD capability and a beast on road with atrocious dynamics and comfort.
The new Defender has a quite appealing practical design and an exceptionally comfortable interior with a feeling of space.
The layout of the instruments is clear and easy to read. There is an abundance of storage spaces and the centrally mounted transmission lever and control panel is excellent.
The real core of the new Defender is its effortless capability off road combined with its surprisingly good on road dynamics.
Off road we drove it on rutted slippery slopes that would have many a 4WD sliding everywhere and it simply dug in and went about its business.
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On road the Defender handles almost as well as a Range Rover Sport. Even on heavy duty all terrains it is quiet and smooth like an upmarket SUV.
We drove the P400 S with a bunch of options and the price as tested was a touch over $118,000 plus the usual costs.
Im Rob Fraser
What is good?
- Class leading dynamics
- Practical 4wd control panel
- 4WD and towing capability
What is not so good?
- No HUD
- Manual mode transmission counter intuitive
- Bewildering range and options list
Also Look At
- Nissan Patrol Ti -L
- Toyota Prado Kakadu
- Toyota LandCruiser Sahara
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Land Rover Discovery
- Audi Q8:
Model | Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S |
| Model Price | $95,335 MLP* |
| Engine | 3.0L inline 6 Cyl Turbo. |
| Drivetrain | Terrain Response 2 4×4 8 speed Auto |
| Power | 294kW at 5,500rpm |
| Torque | 550 Nm @ 2.000-5,000rpm |
| Safety | Five Star ANCAP |
| CO2 Emissions | 235 g/km |
| Economy ADR | 9.9 L/100km |
| Tow Capacity | 3500 Kg |
| Tow Ball Rating | 350 kg |
| Payload | 872 Kg |
| Servicing | TBA |
| Warranty | 3yr/ 100,000 km with 3 Yr. roadside assist |
*MLP – Manufacturers List Price includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of any options.
Overall Rating | 90/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 8 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 9 |
| Towing Ability | 10 |
| Off Road Capability | 10 |
| Value for Money | 9 |
Dimensions | |
| Overall Length | 5018mm, (4758mm excl rear wheel) |
| Wheelbase | 3022mm |
| Width / Height | 2008mm / 1967mm |
| Unladen ground clearance / wading depth | Up to 291mm / 900mm |
| Approach / Rampover / Departure angles | 38 degrees / 28 degrees / 40 degrees |
| Fuel Tank / Turning Circle | 90 Litres / 12.84mts KTK |
| Kerb Weight / Payload / GVM / GCM | 2293kg / 872kg / 3165kg / 6665KG |
| Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating | 3500kg / 350kg |
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Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S
- Behind the Wheel - 9/109/10
- Comfort - 9/109/10
- Equipment - 8/108/10
- Perfromance - 8/108/10
- Ride and Handling - 9/109/10
- Practicality - 9/109/10
- Fit for Purpose - 9/109/10
- Towing Ability - 10/1010/10
- Off Road Ablilty - 10/1010/10
- Value for Money - 9/109/10
Summary
The real core of the new Defender is its effortless capability off road combined with its surprisingly good on road dynamics.
