2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Overview

Adventures are higher with pals. The grandest of surroundings appears to be like finer when you will have somebody to share it with, probably the most grueling of hikes feels that rather more rewarding on the summit. It stands to cause, then, {that a} greater Defender able to hauling much more folks in much more consolation would provide a fair larger expertise than a smaller one.

And it does, for probably the most half. The Land Rover Defender 130 is actually grander, 13.4-inches longer than the 110 or an entire 30.6 greater than the 90, making room for a 3rd row of seats and doubtlessly seating eight adventure-seeking adults. 

However are the compromises and additional value value it?

Exterior design

The present design of the Land Rover Defender is three years outdated now but it surely nonetheless appears to be like recent, riddled with styling cues which might be curiously trendy for a machine making such a robust heritage play, drawing on 70-odd years of legacy and containing simply sufficient throwback touches to look acquainted. It’s unimaginable to take a look at this and never really feel prepared to go out into the wilderness.

It’s an SUV that pulls the eyes and holds it, beginning with the headlights that shine out from what appears to be like to be a disapproving forehead. The beneficiant aluminum guard up entrance will hold the worst of the comb off the paint and plastic whereas the excessive rear bumper and exhaust promote this factor’s 28.5-degree departure angle. That’s down from 40 levels on the Defender 90 and 37.5 on the 110, although the strategy angle of 37.5 is identical on all three and the ramp angle is just 0.3 levels off from the Defender 110. In different phrases, you’re actually not giving up that a lot off-road efficiency for the additional size.

You do quit some design purity. The facet profile of the 130 is beneficiant, wanting each bit the sixteen-foot-long SUV that it’s, particularly parked subsequent to a Defender 110. It appears to be like like all the additional size comes aft of the rear axle as a result of it does, each sharing the identical 119-inch wheelbase. 

However, some sacrifices should be made within the title of practicality, and within the case of the 130, that practicality comes within the type of inside quantity.

Inside design

Third-row seating is the 130’s hallmark. Getting again there’s a bit awkward, because the second row solely slides ahead just a few inches, leaving a slim hole to duck by way of. That, plus the peak of the Defender, means these headed to the way-back may have a lift. However, when you get there it’s surprisingly snug. I’m six-feet tall and I had loads of headroom and shoulder room.

There’s even good visibility from the third row, because of beneficiant facet home windows and even a separate sunroof overhead. Shock, being relegated to the third row right here isn’t fairly the torture you might need anticipated.

Issues get higher as you journey ahead. The second row seats are simply that bit extra spacious, sliding and reclining or, should you want the utmost 76.1 cubic toes of cargo area, folding flat together with the third row. Go away all of the seats up, although, and there’s only a token little bit of storage behind the rear seats, sufficient for a run to the grocery retailer and never a lot else. 

On this SE trim Defender 130, second-row occupants have their very own local weather controls, however no heated seats and never even a token USB port for charging. They do, nonetheless, get some solar from the second, panoramic sunroof. 

Up entrance is one of the best place to be, energy captains chairs with reminiscence providing good assist and lots sufficient adjustability you could drop them down low when motoring on the freeway or hike them up when hitting the paths for a little bit higher perspective over the hood. 

The general inside design is purposefully chunky and mechanical, with loads of uncovered Torx screws, seize rails in all places, and so many little storage compartments that you just’re certain to gather at the least just a few of your mates’ smartphones with each journey. Up entrance there’s a pair of USB ports, one A and one C, together with a separate Qi wi-fi charging port, making the most of the wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay right here.

These are displayed on a 11.4-inch, widescreen infotainment show that may be a excellent measurement, working Land Rover’s newest Pivi Professional infotainment expertise. It has a clear, darkish aesthetic and affords loads of performance, maybe most necessary being an limitless collection of shows exhibiting all the things from angle of inclination to wading depth. 

The gauge cluster can be absolutely digital, located behind a steering wheel with a leather-based wrapped rim and what appears like a metallic heart, powder coated white. The colour distinction and the stout really feel of the fabric are an important match for what this machine can do.

On the highway

The Defender 130 is an enormous, tall, off-road targeted SUV and so that you’d be readily forgiven for pondering it’d have all of the dealing with prowess of a freighter, however you’d be unsuitable. To be honest, it’s not a machine that likes to be rushed. Flip the steering wheel to enter a flip and also you’ll end up reaching for extra rotation earlier than the Defender reluctantly involves your required line. However, relaxed dealing with doesn’t imply unhealthy.

Air suspension lifts the Defender 130 as much as 11.5 inches of floor clearance when off-road. For on-road responsibility, it additionally offers nice compliance. The 130 doesn’t skitter and soar throughout tough surfaces at velocity like older Defenders, at the least partly because of the trendy, unibody development and the impartial suspension. It’s a genuinely nice commuter.

At increased speeds there’s a good bit of wind noise, which ought to come as no shock given the final form of this factor. It’s additionally fairly vulnerable to cross-winds, additionally predictable given its prodigious cross-section. The 700 watt, 14-speaker Meridian sound system is greater than able to dealing with the wind noise, although the lane-keep-assist is rather less in a position with regards to addressing the wandering. I discovered it unreliable on something however huge, well-marked highways. 

But it surely’s a fantastic freeway cruiser, a lot so that you just may neglect even this up-sized 130 is happiest whereas wading by way of the muck and the mire. With everlasting all-wheel-drive bolstered by locking heart and rear differentials plus a two-speed switch case, the Defender is a legit performer in even the worst of situations.

That’s all pushed by Land Rover’s 3.0-liter inline-six engine, in both P300 trim with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, or P400, which steps issues as much as 395 hp and 406 lb-ft because of a gentle hybrid system. These are good numbers, however with this factor tipping the scales at over 5,500 kilos, there’s lots of mass to maneuver.

The Defender 130 with the P400 accelerates capably, even at freeway speeds. The eight-speed auto shifts easily and, whereas it isn’t probably the most aggressive at downshifting for acceleration, does an excellent job of grabbing the best cog with out giving anybody within the automotive whiplash. I noticed 19.5 mpg in my testing, proper on par with the 17 metropolis, 21 freeway, and 19 mixed EPA estimates.

Drive modes are accessed by way of the left knob within the heart console, which does triple-duty because the HVAC temperature knob and, with a push, additionally cycles seat heating and air flow settings. Nudge the drive mode toggle and this wheel additionally permits you to scroll (slowly) by way of seven totally different drive modes, beginning with the everyday Eco and Consolation then ranging into wilder stuff like Sand and Wade. Not adequate? 4 separate customized Terrain Response modes await your tinkering, specifying how robust you need the engine to be, how agency you want your steering, and exactly how a lot wheelspin you need. 

It’s maybe a bit a lot, however then that’s what this factor is all about.

Pricing and choices

In the event you’re trying to purchase a Defender you will have lots of selections to make. First in fact is which size, with the shortest, the Defender 90, beginning at $55,100. The larger Defender 110 truly begins at a lower cost $53,500, whereas this man, the Defender 130, begins at $68,000 for the S mannequin.

However, in order for you the extra highly effective P400 engine, you’ll have to step as much as the SE, which begins at $78,300, including on another niceties like 20-inch wheels and LED headlights. From there you will have your alternative of 9 exterior colours, 4 upholstery choices, and an limitless configuration of inside trims and tweaks. Tick all of the packing containers, add on all of the superior off-road and towing options, and also you’ll be into the six-figure territory.

All Defenders have a complete lively security bundle together with computerized emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep help, and a rear cross-traffic alert. Sadly, including adaptive cruise prices a whopping $1,200. 

This Defender SE had the $750 Advance Off-Street Functionality Pack, giving these configurable drive modes, plus $1,700 in inside upgrades together with these 18-way adjustable seats. $700 for the Chilly Local weather Pack, and one other few styling choices plus a $700 tow hitch receiver and $1,475 vacation spot cost meant an $88,025 remaining value.

Choosing the 130 does imply making some sacrifices with regards to on-road manners and supreme off-road efficiency, however Land Rover’s largest SUV doesn’t come up quick in both division, powering by way of terrain that would go away many lesser SUVs caught whereas carrying a full household plus canines and cargo. It’s a mighty bundle, and never simply because it’s so massive.