Options: Air suspension, upgraded Meridian Surround, Climate/Convenience, no towing or driving dynamics. I will add the Auto terrain when the Gap Tool comes out.

And I deleted my review when I added the pictures, so I will update that later!

Review:

Just bought this! It is my first Defender… 4th Land Rover after having three Range Rovers, all V8s. I originally wasn’t interested in the Defender because it did not have a V8 when the redesign first came out. What a mistake that was!

I’ll start with the engine, which is the I6 and incredibly good. Once you get used to the throttle response and turbos, it is very linear and easy power… and there is more power if you put your foot all the way down of course! Easy power is key for me in any more expensive car shopping, hence the V8 favoritism, but wow does the I6 deliver. I get 19mpg around “town” which is basically a grid and 45mph between traffic lights. Haven’t done the highway yet.

I had a new Range Rover on order but they’re everywhere down here and the new design has really worn off on me. It skews so much towards Beverly Hills and far away from British countryside. I love how the Defender kept its heritage in its design. This translates to the inside so well where the blend of utility and luxury is done almost perfectly. I have the upgraded seats/leather and wood veneer, but the rest of the design begs for the vehicle to be used as a tool! This was my biggest stress with the Range Rovers I had, where getting in the car after it rained/muddy, or yard stuff from Home Depot, or a beach day, all stressed me out. The Defender for me can be used in a more stress free way. Insert joke about parking lot use only :-)

The seating position is very high up, classic Land Rover command seating. It feels more high up than my Range Rover however the last one I had was two years ago so maybe I am wrong. The visibility out is outstanding, which is one thing I got accustomed to with Range Rovers. My sense is the Range Rover is better here still as its windshield looks bigger and A pillars look smaller. The Defender is still excellent and I love the square/straight good. No doubt about where you’re pointed or where the hood ends. The headroom is outstanding, and the backseat room is just enough. I am 6’1 and sit behind myself comfortably. The rear seats themselves are a little upright.

I got the smaller Pivi screen and I love how flush it fits. The larger screen doesn’t look out of place, but the smaller one fits the utility aspect better, I think. I am also sick of large screens and lack of physical buttons so that could be a factor. Regardless, I don’t think the bigger screen is a must if you’re on the fence about it. I have the upgraded speakers which I usually don’t spend money on because they’re never that good and blasting the music too loud is going to end up with rattling speakers in my experience.

Another interior feature is the storage up front… there is so much! Pockets are everywhere. If anyone has any fun storage ideas or solutions, please share. I did buy the accessory to make the storage near the climate controls usable, but it isn’t OEM sadly. Still works fine.

I also have air suspension and 22s. The air suspension is extremely good of course, but you do know you’re on 22s (again not in a deal breaker way). I also like the looks of 22s better so it’s a fair trade to me. I do want to drive one with 19s to compare one day.

I plan on buying the Gap Tool IID when G4 is out so I can add the Auto terrain option. That was easily one of my favorite features on my RRs. I do not care about the rear diff., but would say to spec it if you’re building one.

I had to rewrite this review because deleted on accident adding photos. Sorry if I missed anything. My final thought is to test drive one of these if you are considering a Range Rover. For me, they’re cooler all around. Far less flashy and glitzy than the new Range Rover design (if that is your thing then cool!), and could not blend utility and luxury any better. I am so happy I cancelled my RR and got into a Defender. What a classic.

Final, final thought: any quality of life improvements, please share! Accessories are fun to add and share, so let me know what you like!

 

Pictures? Options? And congrats.

here’s mine:

 

I totally agree with you. Same here. Lots of RR's and LR's, all V8's (and V8 S/C).

The p400 Deefer is superb. Best LR product so far.

 

I think so. If they had a V8 on the lot I liked, I’d probably have bought it, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker if it’s something you’re unsure about. The I6 is really good.

 

I love that exterior color and interior. Black wheels in my opinion if you get another set That blue is awesome.

 

Agreed, i’m on the lookout for some gloss black 20”s and will put KO2’s on them.

 

Congratulations on your new Defender. Welcome! I Highly recommend getting this cargo light, also a rear table is really nice addition.. Real game changer.

 

Wow, both of those are great. Do you have links to your specific ones that you’d endorse?

 

Congrats on the new ride.

I just wanted to second the recommended rear trunk light and table. Depending on what you're up to, accessories of various types can be an absolute must or completely useless.

Almost universally, folks seem to like being able to see inside the rear cargo area better and enjoy a bit of grub when out and about. Light and table fit the bill.

My table gets used all the time. Great little mod. Lots of options out there. Mine was a simple 5 minute install.


Light was from PowerfulUK and a 3D company they work with. Again lots of similar ones out there now. I added a little switch to it also. I don't want it coming on every time especially if Im camping. Looks almost OEM. Again has been enormously useful. There is a great thread on it.





The other enormously and universally useful mod is additional reverse lights. PowerfulUK and Alibabamazon have good options. The former is cheaper. The latter looks a bit more polished and OEM.

 

^^^^ I've added all those same accessories as GavinC; the two light upgrades are pretty essential, IMO. OEM reverse lights in totally dark areas are inadequate; the PUK upgrades are super easy and do the trick. And adding a switch to the interior lights is also a nice touch, that probably learned from GavinC when I did mine.

My other mods are off-road oriented, which doesn't sound like your jam. (I did rear brake calipers to enable 18" wheels, which I only use when I'm going on an offroading excursion out west.)

That’s a beautiful 110. I too have an X Dynamic SE. Great choice.

Cheers!





... and on the factory 20s: