Review: Land Rover Defender 130
This all-terrain marvel is a mix of rugged capability, luxury and practicality. It could even save you from the end of the world.
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If there’s one vehicle to have when the world is ending – it’s the Land Rover Defender 130.
Big, bold, and practically invincible, this SUV offers grit and urban practicality.
To someone small like me the size of the Defender 130 initially feels intimidating.
After all, this is the biggest version of the Defender.
Customers can choose from three different sizes in the two-door Defender 90, the larger Defender 110 and the extra-large Defender 130 that promises to be the most practical pick.
Though imposing at first, the Defender feels friendlier once behind the wheel.
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It has a presence that makes you feel incredibly safe, rising above the chaos of surrounding traffic.
Whether you’re tackling rugged terrain or cruising through the city streets, this SUV seems to do it effortlessly.
With its solid construction and sheer size, it seems like other cars respectfully move out of your way.
Under the hood is a 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged petrol engine, paired with an electric supercharger to deliver 295kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
Smooth, sweet-sounding and effortless, the big six is a great fit for the Defender.
Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, it surges from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
Customers can choose from a variety of engines for the Defender.
If the 3.0-litre petrol six isn’t your pick, there’s also a 257kW diesel engine if you want to use less fuel, or a 368kW V8 if you’re happy to make frequent stops at service stations.
There’s also the 467kW Defender Octa high-performance model if you want to go truly wild, though that’s only available in the smaller Defender 110.
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Despite its size and weight – a whopping 2620kg – the Defender 130 is surprisingly not too bad on fuel at a claimed 9.6L/100km.
Off-road, the Defender shines with its terrain-specific drive modes system, advanced tow assist, wading depth of 900mm and a towing capacity of 3,000kg, which makes it a good choice for hauling trailers or boats.
It can also accommodate a dynamic roof load capacity of 168kg and a static load capacity of 300kg, perfect for roof tents.
Inside, the Defender isn’t luxurious like its rivals but takes on a rugged and functional design.
Forget the cheap-feeling plastic of rivals machines, the Defender’s stonelike interior finishes feel premium and solid.
The seats are comfortable, robust and durable, with adjustable armrests that allow you to get comfortable on long trips.
With the Comfort and Convenience Pack, you’ll get additional touches like a refrigerator compartment and clear-sight rear-view mirror, which uses a camera to assist with vision.
You can also opt for a range of accessories and options such as remote control winch, A-frame protection bar, wheel arch protection, privacy glass and body – coloured spare wheel cover.
Otherwise, the off-road pack is a great option for explorers and adventurers.
The Defender 130 is a vehicle that does it all.
It’s practical for city life, comfortable enough for long trips and rugged enough for off-road challenges.
Though it feels ready to take on the apocalypse, it’s a model that shines every day.
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