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Land Rover Defender 90 Series 2022 Review

Rob Fraser

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.

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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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.

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.

This is a Motoring Minute

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

Some other Land Rover Defender Articles

Model   

2022 Land Rover Defender 90 D250 S
Model Price $93,530 MLP*
Engine 3.0L inline 6 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel
Drivetrain Dual Range 4×4 8 speed Sports Auto
Power 183kW @ 4,000rpm
Torque 570Nm @ 1,250-2,250rpm
Safety TBC
CO2 Emissions 207 g/km
Economy ADR/ Capacity 7.9L/100km / 8.2L/100K on test / 89L
0-100kmh/Top Speed 8.0 secs / 188kmh
Servicing 5 Years/130,000 max kms (whichever occurs first) – $2,650
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. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).

Overall Rating    

87/100
Behind the Wheel 8
Comfort 9
Equipment 8
Performance 8
Ride and Handling 9
Practicality 8
Fit for Purpose 10
Towing / 4WD Ability 10 – Towing 5/5 – 4WD 5/5
Technology / Connectivity 9
Value for Money 8

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

Defender Dimensions

  
Overall Length 4323mm
Wheelbase 2587mm
Width / Height 2008mm / 1974mm
Unladen ground clearance / wading depth Up to 225mm / 900mm
Fuel Tank  / Turning Circle 89 Litres / 11.3mts KTK
Approach / rampover / departure degrees 31 / 25 / 37.9
Kerb Weight /  GVM / GCM / Payload 2235kg / 2970kg / 6470kg / 735kg
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. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. With over 750,000 listeners a week they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

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.

Engine Transmission, Suspension & Driving Dynamics

Exterior Features and Finish

Wheels and Tyres

Seating, Interior Features and Finishers

Information, Communication & Entertainment

Safety, Security & Driver Assistance

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