Land Rover Defender 90 Series 2022 Review

Defender 90 – Over the years there have been a number of three door 4WD vehicles, some have been successful, some have faded from the memory almost as quickly as they came.

Land Rover Defender 90 front 2 I’ve owned a few and driven almost all of them. Toyota have had a few with the Bunderra, Prado and you could almost call the FJ Cruiser one. Jeep obviously has the Wrangler, Suzuki the older Vitara and the Jimny, Mitsubishi had a three door Pajero, Daihatsu Feroza and the list goes on.

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Land Rover Defender 90 front interior

My mind went into memory mode when I recently drove a Defender 90 series. It’s the short wheelbase model, three doors and ours had a soft roof as well.

Let me say straight up that I think the Defender 90 series is a cool car. It has a certain panache about it that’s hard to describe but immediately obvious when you see it and feel it once you sit in it.

Land Rover Defender 90 rear seats

Everything about the 90 series is about the front two seats, as the rear ones are best left for acrobatic contortionists to try to get into.

However the front occupants are extremely well catered for. It has all the design and style of its larger sibling with better off road capability and almost no change to the on road ride and dynamics.

There are a range of models and engine options from a 3.0L inline six diesel through to a supercharged 5.0L V8 petrol. Pricing is from around $78,000 through to $215,000 plus the usual costs.

If cool is your thing and you happen to like being adventurous as well then the Defender 90 series should be at the top of your list.

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Im Rob Fraser

What is good?

What is not so good?

  • Ride and Handling class leading
  • Interior comfort (front occupants)
  • 4WD Capability
  • Rear seats don’t fold flat
  • Less space and practicality for almost the same price as 110
  • Rear seat access is hard

Land Rover Defender 90 boot

Some other Land Rover Defender Articles

Land Rover Defender D300 SE engine

Model   

2022 Land Rover Defender 90 D250 S

Model Price$93,530 MLP*
Engine3.0L inline 6 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel
DrivetrainDual Range 4×4 8 speed Sports Auto
Power183kW @ 4,000rpm
Torque570Nm @ 1,250-2,250rpm
SafetyTBC
CO2 Emissions207 g/km
Economy ADR/ Capacity7.9L/100km / 8.2L/100K on test / 89L
0-100kmh/Top Speed8.0 secs / 188kmh
Servicing5 Years/130,000 max kms (whichever occurs first) – $2,650
Warranty5yr/ 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. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).

Overall Rating    

87/100

Behind the Wheel8
Comfort9
Equipment8
Performance8
Ride and Handling9
Practicality8
Fit for Purpose10
Towing / 4WD Ability10 – Towing 5/5 – 4WD 5/5
Technology / Connectivity9
Value for Money8

*Towing and AWD Capability is compared to other similar vehicles in the same class.

Land Rover Defender 90 profile

Defender Dimensions

 
Overall Length4323mm
Wheelbase2587mm
Width / Height2008mm / 1974mm
Unladen ground clearance / wading depthUp to 225mm / 900mm
Fuel Tank  / Turning Circle89 Litres / 11.3mts KTK
Approach / rampover / departure degrees31 / 25 / 37.9
Kerb Weight /  GVM / GCM / Payload2235kg / 2970kg / 6470kg / 735kg
Max Roof Load:168kg (Dynamic), 300kg (Static)
Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating3500kg / 350kg

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Land Rover Defender 90 rear

Land Rover 90 D250 S Additional Thoughts

I think in the articles mentioned above we have said just about everything that can be said about the Defender.

Winning the OzRoamer large 4WD award also places it at the best in class.

So lets focus on 90 series thought specifically.

  • Currently other than the Wrangler, there isn’t a lot to compare the 90 series to
  • Layout for the front occupants is the same as normal Defender.
  • As this was a base model the dual driver instrument panel, with some digital and analogue is present.
  • However once you get used to it , it really isn’t an issue and you don’t notice it.
  • Again the 90 fits me beautifully.
  • Its been mentioned how cool the 90 looks, but that comes at a price
  • Practicality compared to the 110 is reduced
  • Rear seats are comfortable and spacious but getting in or out is difficult
  • Boot space is minimal and the fact that the rear seats don’t fold flat is another area where practicality is compromised.
  • I am not the biggest fan of the fold back canvas roof, some live it but I wouldn’t pay for it
  • Short wheelbase does provide slightly better off road statistics, with minimal change to on road dynamics.
  • But the 110 is so good off road I would opt for that one every time
  • Often its hard to determine buyer preferences, but I would imagine the profile would be a single or couple, inner city dwellers that are adventurous and favour individualism
  • Short wheel base 4WDs are not the ideal towing vehicle even though its rated to 3500kg.
  • Coils rather than the air suspension are a little firmer around town but still compliant
  • Defender 90 shows that 4WDs can be cool and functional.
  • Having said all that, I loved driving the 90 series.

Land Rover Defender 90 front

Engine Transmission, Suspension & Driving Dynamics

  • All Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Twin-speed transfer box (high/low range)
  • 8-speed Automatic Transmission
  • Terrain Response
  • Coil Suspension
  • 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)
  • Brake pad wear indicator
  • Emergency Brake Assist
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Land Rover Defender 90 front 3

Exterior Features and Finish

  • LED Headlights and Taillights
  • 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
  • Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
  • Side-hinged tailgate
  • Automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers
  • Follow me home lighting
  • Rear fog light(s)
  • Centre high-mounted stop light
  • Manual Headlight Levelling

Wheels and Tyres

  • 18” Style 5093, Gloss White, Steel w/- Off-Road Tyres (Wrangler A/T)
  • 18” Full-Size Steel Spare Wheel

Land Rover Defender 90 front seats

Seating, Interior Features and Finishers

  • Two-zone Climate Control
  • 8-Way Semi-Powered Front Seats
  • 40:20:40 Fixed Rear Seats
  • Durable rubber cabin flooring
  • Durable rubber loadspace flooring
  • Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Driver and Passenger Sunvisors
  • Footwell lights
  • 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
  • Manually adjustable steering column
  • Light Oyster Morzine Headlining
  • Cabin Lighting
  • Cabin Walk-Through

Land Rover Defender 90 front dash

Information, Communication & Entertainment

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

Land Rover Defender 90 central info

Safety, Security & Driver Assistance

  • Keyless Entry and Push Button Start
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Wade Sensing
  • Perimetric alarm
  • Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
  • 3D Surround Camera – Includes Multi Camera View, 360º View, 180º Rear View. Forward View
  • ClearSight Ground View
  • Front airbags, with passenger seat occupant detector
  • Emergency Braking
  • Blind Spot Assist
  • Forward Traffic Detection
  • Forward Vehicle Guidance
  • Tow Hitch Assist
  • Clear Exit Monitor
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • 360° Parking Aid
  • Rear Collision Monitor – Includes Lane Keeping Aid, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic
  • Detection, Rear Pre-Crash and Driver Initiated Evasive Steering Support
  • Rear Traffic Monitor
  • Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
  • Customer Configurable Autolock
  • Power operated child locks
  • Seat belt reminder
  • Rear ISOFIX – Row 2 outboard seats
  • Driver Condition Monitor
  • Locking Wheel Nuts
  • 8.7/10
    Overall Defender 90 Rating - 8.7/10
8.7/10

Summary

Defender 90 – Over the years there have been a number of three door 4WD vehicles, some have been successful, some have faded from the memory almost as quickly as they came.

There are a range of models and engine options from a 3.0L inline six diesel through to a supercharged 5.0L V8 petrol. Pricing is from around $78,000 through to $215,000 plus the usula costs.

If cool is your thing and you happen to like being adventurous as well then the Defender 90 series should be at the top of your list.

About Rob Fraser 2479 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.