Land Rover introduced the Classic Defender 110 in 1983. Over the next decades, it gained a global reputation for ruggedness and versatility. It was the closest thing to a British answer to the American Jeep. The Defender was a hardcore off-road weapon thanks to its ability to survive the harshest and most brutal conditions. But these extremes made it too harsh to use as an everyday vehicle. In 2020 Land Rover introduced a new generation defender built with more comfort alongside the Off-road capability and looks that evoke the legacy of the old Defender.
The new Defender 110 is a perfectly engineered blend of modern conveniences and classical styling, which helps usher the Defender into the new age, complete with its rich heritage. Now, It is a roomy, luxurious adventure vehicle that can work as an everyday transporter. Still, it is an off-road master, more capable than other Land Rover and without the truck-like ride. Here's why off-road enthusiasts should consider the Land Rover Defender 110.
9 Peppy Engines And A Sturdy Drivetrain
Power for the Defender 110 ranges from the adequate 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo four to the 395-hp 3-liter turbo six, a 518-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V8 and a mild hybrid turbo-six. All engines prove impressive, and even in the small engine, the low-down torque available as low as 1400 rpm generates good momentum to keep the engine running optimally.
The Defender 110 is arguably one of the most advanced 4x4s on the market, largely thanks to its sturdy four-wheel drivetrain, which comes standard on all trims. Also, a twin-speed transfer box and locking differential help provide the best traction on any terrain.
8 The Defender 110 Has A Safari-Ready Cabin
The Defender 110 comes with a purposefully designed cabin ready for safari. Inside, you feel the refinement you will expect from a luxury-priced vehicle, striking a balance between utilitarian and luxury. You will find plenty of design cues from other Land Rovers alongside the exposed rivets and other cues from the old Defender to add some rugged appeal.
There is plenty of interior space with excellent leg and headroom, and the Defender 110 has an option for a third row and cargo space reaching 79 cubic feet. The ride is quiet and largely free from road noise.
7 The Defender 110 Has A Stiff Body Design
Most offroad vehicles, including the old Defender, favor a body-on-frame construction, but the new Defender 110 has a unibody platform making it stiff and sturdy. The crossover-like unibody structure gives it calm and controlled road manners while remaining the most capable Land Rover yet. You'll see a magnesium beam running across the dash; it isn't purely cosmetic as it plays a structural role.
The extra stiffness makes for better off-road manners than the bouncy feeling you get from a Wrangler. But don't expect it to eat corners like a crossover because of its high ride height and tall and heavy stature.
6 The Defender 110 Features The All-Terrain Progress Control System
Every Defender 110 model gets the standard Terrain Response system, a patented system that lets the vehicle sense and automatically adapts to appropriate terrain response settings. It reconfigures transmission, suspension, and traction settings making for maximum drivability regardless of condition. But there is a more interesting optional; off-road feature, the All-Terrain Progress Control system.
ATPC is a cruise control system for the off-road. The driver sets the desired speed, and then they are left with working the steering without any pedal input. It maximizes traction and prevents wheel spin on loose surfaces, especially for an off-road novice driver.
5 ClearSight Ground View Feature
Unlike the old Defender, this new iteration comes equipped for the 21st-century adventure, and the ClearSight Ground View feature is among the intuitive technologies providing convenience and visibility. ClearSight Ground View creates a virtual view of the road straight ahead of the front bumper and tires, a view usually obstructed by the vehicle's hood.
Cameras fitted on the front grille, and door mirrors stitch together a picture projected on the infotainment display and help you avoid tough topography and tire-tearing rocks. To increase accuracy, you also get a ghost image of the wheels to show exactly where the vehicle is.
4 The Defender 110 Comes With A Fully Independent Suspension
Land Rover replaces the old solid axle suspension with a fully independent suspension. The base 90 trims use coil springs which you can upgrade with air suspension and adaptive dampers that enables height adjustment and provide the best off-road capability. Luckily, these come standard on the Defender 110.
The air suspension shares principles with the Discovery and complements the unibody construction. They help you raise the ground clearance from 8.6 to 11.5 inches which are 0.7 inches higher than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. This gives the Defender impressive water wading ability as it can swim through 36 inches of water, 6 inches more than the Jeep.
3 Offers A Smooth Ride For A Hardcore Off-road SUV
People loved the old Defender for the same reasons they couldn't justify buying it. It was too harsh for mundane chores since it focused solely on surviving the harsh and brutal conditions. So, unless you could, it was a vehicle for people who could utilize it for its intended purpose. But the new Defender exceeds the hardcore off-road SUV work and makes for a good family car.
It still has the versatile and rugged traits of the old one but makes no sacrifices in on-road comfort by providing a stately and dignified drive feel. It will effortlessly haul your kids and loads of gear through dirt and wet and provide a smooth, comfy ride on paved roads.
2 The Defender 110 Has A Rich Selection Of Customization Options
The Land Rover Defender 110 comes with a rich selection of customization options. You can raise the off-rad capability if you choose the right underpinning options. Other optional features cut across technology and connectivity with the bigger screens, interior comfort with heating and ventilation, and exterior styling with the optional plastic bits on the hood that give a tougher look.
There are four pre-configured accessory packages. They include the Explorer, Adventure, Country, and Urban Pack, and all equip the Defender to embrace different elements and conditions. The only downside is that they can get pricey.
1 Tasty Trim Options
Land Rover provides no less than seven Defender 110 standard models, including the base Defender 110, S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, XS Edition, Defender X, Defender V8, and the V8 Carpathian Edition. These options rise to 67 trims when you factor in the Diesel, Petrol, hybrid options, and specification packs.
Prospective buyers have plenty of options, and their budget is the only limit. Starting prices range from $53,500 with the base Defender 110 with the 2-liter engine to $118,400 with the range-topping Defender V8 Carpathian Edition.