Review
Land Rover Defender SUV
/5
- Pros:
- Go-anywhere ruggedness
- Iconic looks, decent interior space
- Strong residual values
- Cons:
- Exceptionally crude to drive
- Interior plastics are hard and cheap-looking
- Neither cheap to buy nor run
reviewed by Carbuyer
"If rugged ability is at the top of your priority list, then little beats the Land Rover Defender."
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Incredibly, the Land Rover Defender is the same basic shape now as it was when it was launched in 1948. There are few roads it can't follow – though you pay for that rugged ability with a drive that's best described as downright agricultural compared to modern 4x4s and pick-ups. That's part of its charm though, as the Defender feels like it could survive Armageddon. A powerful diesel engine is standard, but safety equipment is sparse and it's not cheap to buy - given that it is such a basic vehicle.
Drive
The Defender doesn't feel at home on the road
Driving a Land Rover Defender is like operating a piece of gym equipment - so heavy are the controls. The driver is positioned right out towards the door, so if you’re broad shouldered then turning the steering wheel is tricky. Moving the gearstick takes a firm, positive shove, while the clutch and brake pedals give your leg muscles a real workout. In short, the Defender is no fun in slow, stop-start traffic. Factor in bouncy suspension and the Defender is seriously outclassed by everything else on the road this side of a tractor. Despite all that it's still an enjoyable experience, the Defender's charm somehow shining through.
Comfort
The bouncy ride and noisy interior make it tiring to drive
The 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine needs working hard, and it's not quiet when doing so. Add wind and road noise to the cacophony of squeaks and mechanical noises inside, and the Defender isn’t easy on the ears either. Comfort has improved in recent years for rear-seat passengers thanks to front facing (rather than bench-style side-on) seats in the back, but it's still a bouncy and jarring experience on the road.
Reliability
Rock solid build quality makes reliability the Defender's strong suit
The Defender was born in a time before safety concerns were forefront in buyers' minds, and it shows, with a hard surfaced interior and no airbags. It has got anti-lock brakes and four-wheel drive, but that's about it. There's no stability control on base models, nor brake assist, seatbelt pre-tensioners and crumple zones. The best safety advice is simply not to crash it. Quality is from another era too, with the interior plastics pretty woeful by today's standards. Reliability should be decent though, and its simplicity means if it does break down it should be relatively easy to fix.
Practicality
Van-like interior makes it a true working vehicle
There's got to be some trade off for the Defender's flaws, and practicality is it. It's massive inside, feeling like a van. It's so tough you’ll not care what you throw into it either, and it looks better when it's battle-worn and filthy, too. The Defender is a tool that's best used to its full ability as often as possible.
Value for money
Defender lacks equipment across the range
If you consider just how basic the Land Rover is, then there is no way you could describe this car as value for money. However, if you need its tremendous ability, then it's not too expensive. Nonetheless, standard equipment is lacking across the entire range. Defenders do hold their value well, though.
Running costs
Four-wheel drive means fuel consumption is high
All models require the most expensive VED annual road tax of £460, while combined fuel consumption figures in the mid-20mpg area mean it's not cheap at the pumps either.
