2023 Land Rover Defender Review
Land Rover celebrates 75 years of the iconic Defender with a limited edition model.
Review
Pros: Iconic looks, off-road capability, comfort.
Cons: Price, running costs.
Land Rover Defender 75th Design
When the classic Defender finally ceased production in 2016, it seemed like the end of a motoring icon. But in 2020, Land Rover stayed true to their word and introduced the new Defender, with an iconic boxy design that keeps the Defender DNA alive. The new Defender is a brilliant modern design interpretation of a classic and is now one of Land Rover’s bestselling vehicles in Ireland. It even outsells the Discovery. The new Defender’s chunky charm has won it a whole new generation of fans. There’s not many modern SUVs that could pull off an exposed full size spare wheel strapped to the back, but the Defender does it with glee.
The 75th limited edition is finished in classic Grasmere Green with matching 20-inch alloy wheels and is available in the 90 (3-door) or 110 bodystyles (5-door). It’s an iconic look though it takes a bit of getting used to. Still, it’s a vehicle that pleasantly manages to look even better after a trip through a muddy field.
Land Rover Defender 75th Interior
The cabin is beautifully designed to capture the Defender’s rugged heritage, but with a modern twist. It’s pared back (cue the exposed screwheads) but all the material quality still feels excellent and it is superbly comfortable. The 75th edition gets a special Grasmere Green dash panel with D-E-F-E-N-D-E-R etched into it. Synthetic leather seats come as standard with 14-way power adjustment, as well as being heated with a memory function. There’s also a heated steering wheel and some brilliant tech on board like Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system and a full digital driver display. The touchscreen is easy to use with lots of functionality as well as buttons and dials to operate the ventilation, access the configurable terrain response system and adjust the height of the vehicle for off-roading. There’s also a brilliant 3D surround camera, Meridian sound system, head-up display and wireless smartphone charging.
The Defender 110 is available with five, six or seven seats. It's hugely roomy inside with comfortable seating for three across the rear bench. The side-hinged rear door is not the most practical in tight car parks, but it does offer over 800 litres of space and an easy clean surface.
Land Rover Defender 75th Performance & Drive
The Defender has come a long way when it comes to power. The P400e plug-in hybrid is one of the bestsellers these days though there is a range of powerful four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines on offer, as well as a good old fashioned V8! The P400e is brilliant to drive, offering smooth, responsive delivery of 404hp to all four wheels and 640Nm of torque giving it a towing capacity of up to three tonnes. The 19.2kWh battery can be charged to 80% in as little as 30 minutes using a DC fast charger or 2.5 hours from a 7kW wallbox. The pure electric driving range is up to 43 kilometres (WLTP), which is useful for zero emissions driving around town. Out on bigger roads the Defender is best run as a hybrid, but be warned fuel consumption is still higher than most conventional SUVs.
The Defender is really comfortable to drive on air suspension and it handles with a great deal of control and agility for such a large vehicle. Short overhangs and impressive approach and departure angles contribute to the Defender’s prowess off-road, as does the configurable terrain response system, which can deal with any terrain that’s thrown at it. The wading depth is a mega 900 mm with a handy wade sensing tool that uses sensors to let you know if the water approaches the maximum wading depth. It would truly be a shame to never bring this Defender off-road.
Land Rover Defender Pricing
The Defender is available from about €87,727 with a range of engines and trim levels available. The Defender 110 75th limited edition 2.0 plug-in hybrid will set you back closer to €123,160.
Carzone Verdict
Land Rover has a lot to celebrate with the Defender. It's one of the world’s most iconic off-road vehicles for good reason. The 75th edition’s heritage-inspired Grasmere Green finish is a bit divisive, but the Defender’s rugged charm thankfully remains intact. The Defender is as comfortable, powerful and refined as any modern luxury SUV, but its off-road capability is still undisputed with a myriad of tools and driving aids to perform its duties with grace. Icon is a word that gets bandied around a lot but the Defender is one that really deserves it.