For a car that’s forty years old, the Defender still looks and feels like a brand-new design.
In this review…
The original Land Rover Defender was an icon in the truest sense of the word. Following in the footsteps of the original ‘series’ Land Rovers, the Defender debuted in 1983 and remained in production (relatively unchanged) until 2016. Over the course of its 33-year production run, the Defender became a little more civilised and inherited newer tech and cleaner engines from other models in the Land Rover stable, but its boxy, functional looks and somewhat agricultural handling characteristics remained intact.
The Defender was immensely capable off-road and charming to look at: it was a design classic in the same way as an original Mini was, or an original Volkswagen Beetle. It was one of the greats. So, you can only imagine the pressure Jaguar Land Rover’s design and engineering teams felt when they were tasked with developing a replacement for the classic 4×4.
When the next-generation Defender was finally unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019, it looked like their hard work had paid off. The new model managed to pay homage to the original but without shamelessly ripping it off. It promised to be even more capable off-road and much more comfortable on it. And it was brimming with the very latest tech the JLR parts bin had to offer.
Now, five years on from that momentous motor show reveal, we’re going to revisit the Defender and see if it still holds up in 2024.
Pros & Cons
What we like:
- Vastly improved on-road capabilities compared to the original Defender – this is a modern SUV through and through
- Mind-blowing off-road performance
- Wide range of engines, trim levels and body styles to choose from, including 90, 110 and 130 models
- Optional extras and styling packages allow you to customise the look of the car to suit your taste
- Styling still looks fresh five years on, and likely will do for years to come
What we don’t like:
- It’s not quite as cheap (or as rugged) as the original Defender
- Fuel economy isn’t fantastic
Exterior
As we’ve already alluded to, the exterior design of the Defender is one of its biggest selling points. If you like cars that make you feel a certain way – cars that you can’t help but glance back at when you’re walking into the supermarket or the petrol station – the Defender hits the spot. It’s stylish but not ostentatious. It’s unmistakably British, but doesn’t lean too heavily on nostalgia. Despite clearly paying homage to its older brother, the current-gen Defender isn’t a tribute act: it’s a memorable, forward-thinking design in its own right.
It’s a purposeful design, too. The Defender’s short overhangs result in approach and departure angles that its rivals can only dream of, allowing it to scale even the toughest of obstacles without sustaining so much as a scratch.
Interior
Although the exterior design of the new Defender was the biggest talking point when it was first unveiled half a decade ago, the interior was every bit as revolutionary. A large touchscreen infotainment system is the first thing that catches the eye when you climb aboard – a feature that you’d never find in an original Defender.
The clean, uncluttered dashboard design once again pays tribute to the original Defender, offering plenty of storage space for odds and ends. In the middle, just below that touchscreen display, you’ll find a chunky centre console complete with HVAC controls and a gear selector. Everything feels robust, high quality and unmistakably Land Rover.
Performance and Driving
If the Defender’s styling is what pulls you in and puts a smile on your face, the driving experience is what keeps that smile there. If you’ve driven a Land Rover before, you’ll immediately appreciate the commanding driving position the Defender offers. Before you so much as turn a wheel, you feel confident in the car’s capabilities.
That feeling of confidence grows when you hit the road, too. In contrast to the original Defender, the current model is sure-footed and surprisingly agile on the tarmac. It might weigh more than two tonnes, but it handles its weight remarkably well, cornering with minimal body roll and responding to your inputs reassuringly.
As you’d expect from a Defender though, it really begins to shine off the beaten path. With permanent four-wheel drive, front and rear locking differentials and low and high-range modes, there aren’t many situations where a Defender can come a cropper. You don’t even have to work hard to get the best out of it; the 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox makes crawling through the mud feel like a chilled Sunday drive.
MPG, Tax and Insurance
Let’s not kid ourselves, the Defender isn’t a particularly cheap car to buy and run. Best case scenario, you can expect in the region of 33 mpg if you choose a D350 Diesel Mild Hybrid variant. The cleanest versions of the Defender 90 will set you back £190 per year in tax, while the highest-polluting models cost up to £600 to tax each year. It’s a similar story with insurance; depending on the model you choose, the Defender will fall into an insurance group between 27 and 50.
Alternatives
Life isn’t easy for the Defender. Although the original model practically defined the concept of the civilian 4×4 as we know it today, the current Defender has its work cut out to win customers over, with so many tempting alternatives available from rival brands.
The Porsche Macan is arguably even better to drive on the road than the Defender is, even though it’s not as capable off it. And it has a Porsche badge. Then there’s fully electric SUVs like the Lotus Eletre, which again offers spellbinding on-road performance at the expense of rugged off-road ability.
Final Verdict
So, does the 2024 Land Rover Defender still hold its own against rivals from the likes of Porsche and Lotus? Absolutely it does. For a car that’s five years old, the Defender still looks and feels like a brand-new design. It’s hugely capable, it’s fun to drive, it’s great to look at and it’s supremely desirable. The only major negative is the price.
If you’ve got your heart set on a Defender but don’t want to pay over the odds, we can help. At cars2buy, you can compare new car leasing deals from the UK’s leading manufacturers and dealers, effortlessly. Just input a make and model to get started!