https://www.carscoops.com/2022/01/former-top-gear-host-deeply-confused-by-new-land-rover-defender-90-v8/amp/

Thoughts??

 

I watched this earlier today. It is the oddest review.

A lot of positives and the weirdest negatives.

Most of his issues are related to the impracticality of the vehicle due to its size ... but that's 90 specific, it's got nothing to do with whatever engine is in it.

For example he's acting shocked at the lack of storage space in the rear with seats up and the rear seat access issue as if it's the first time he sees it, and then points to his TD 90 review for off road performance.

A couple of interesting comments in there but for the most part that review was completely useless, at least to me.

 

I love his reviews.

His review of the much lesser spec 2.4 diesel 110 he drove last year was very very positive.

I think he wants it to be an SVR. It's not an SVR. He sort of acknowledges that.

 

I read his review based on the title: "Deeply Confused by New Defender V8 90" and the OP's "isn't for the every day weekend off-roader". I would absolutely agree with both of those statements. A Marine friend of mine always jokes: "anything that's worth blowing up can never be too blown up". JLR took the same thing with this design. Let's add everything too it! If you want the everything Defender, there you go. But if you want a dread off-road vehicle, this is too over powered, too over priced, too over spec'd and set up with TERRIBLE running gear. I'm starting to align more with @sarek . The optimal, cost effective off-road version is a fully off-road spec'd P300 90 starting around S or SE.

And I won't touch Coil vs. Air with a 10' pole. I'm sure I'm already controversial enough with those statements!

 

I feel that all of his observations were pretty much spot on. The V8 makes great noises and really shouldn't be there in this day and age of downsizing/hybridization/electrification but it might be a bit silly in daily use given the handling characteristics of a vehicle the size and shape of a garden shed. And, yeah the 90 is not really a proper SUV when you remember what the "U" stands for. A 110 is infinitely more utilitarian and easier for families to live with. There just aren't many people for whom the D90 V8 makes sense as anything but a fashion statement. and of course those capable of dropping six figures on a fashion accessory will certainly have other cars in the stable for family trips. What he's saying is that the Defender is super cool but the workaday 90 with a base diesel makes so much more sense than this thing at twice the price.