Since its debut in the 1980’s the Land Rover Defender has been a long-time favorite. And it hasn’t lost its touch – in fact in 2021 it was named SUV of the Year by MotorTrend. Available as the midsize SUV in the Defender 110 or the shorter-wheelbase two-door Defender 90, along with various powertrains, buyers had plenty to choose from when deciding on a Defender.
Regardless of which one is chosen, every Defender is equipped with four-wheel drive and locking differentials for navigating treacherous terrains. The Defender has 11.5 inches of ground clearance and can ford through 35 inches of water.
The styling of the Defender is what you would expect from Land Rover. A squared-off design with an upright appearance gives the Defender its trademark look as well as an aggressive stance. While it still looks boxy, bulging fender flares break up the flatness, providing some subtle curves in the overall design. For off-roaders, the short wheelbase and the small front and rear overhangs will be appreciated.
There is never mistaking the interior of a Land Rover, and the Defender is no exception. Much like its exterior, the interior appears to have started out as a box, and then gives way to a chiseled dashboard with a shelf that spans across the length of the cabin. Torx-head bolts scattered around the interior provide a technical look. Overall, the interior of the Defender is less luxurious than some might expect, but is ruggedly practical making it distinctly different from other upscale SUVs.
For 2023, Land Rover has added a third member to the Defender family – the Defender 130. With a longer wheelbase, the Defender 130 accommodates three rows of seating – which brings its passenger count to 8.
To carry that extra crowd of people, the Defender 130 is stretched – 13.3 inches longer than the 110 and 30.5 inches longer than the 90. The proportions of the longer Defender remain intact with the exception of the long rear overhang that serious off-roaders may disapprove of. By the way, the smaller Defender 110 is available with a third row seat (and seating for seven), but that third row is extremely tight and looks better on a spec sheet than in reality.
Under the hood resides one of two 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines: the 296-hp P300 and the 395-hp P400. Unfortunately, the V8 that is available in the 110 is not available in the 130. Likewise, neither is the base little turbo four-cylinder.
Overall, the new 130 isn’t much different from other Defender models. The big change is of course, the interior where it was clearly designed to accommodate three rows of seating. Its back bench has sufficient headroom and legroom for average-size adults, although if you have big feet like yours truly, be warned – foot room is tight. There is a little sunroof back there and you can opt for USB ports and even optional seat heaters, all so it doesn’t feel too much like steerage. An interesting note – with the 130, second-row captain’s chairs can not be had.
Like all other Defender’s, its the 130’s off-road abilities that give it the reputation of being one of the best off-road vehicles money can buy. It has an adjustable air suspension, adaptive dampers and Configurable Terrain Response – a system that allows you to tailor the vehicle’s behavior to various surfaces, like mud, sand, rocks and more. Combine that along with it’s generous ground clearance, short overhangs and powerful drivetrain, and it becomes clear why the Defender is considered a British mountain goat. Pricing for the Defender 130 starts at $69,350.
The Defender has always seemed to be in a class of its own. And now with the 130 and its three rows of seats, it is even more so. With its storied history as a go-anywhere, do-anything SUV before the term SUV even existed, the Defender 130 has the off-road chops to tackle some of the most daunting challenges – and it can now do it with a larger crowd inside.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:
Base Price: $78,300.00
Price as Tested: $88,025.00
Layout: front-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: 3.0 inline 6-cylinder
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Horsepower: 395 hp
Torque: 406 lb-ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 17 mpg city / 21 mpg highway
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