2025 Land Rover 110 Defender Review: A Luxury SUV Ready for Any Terrain That Thrives in Mud | Carscoops

      The new Defender is an excellent all-around vehicle, albeit an expensive one with our tester approaching $82,000, but it offers a lot of enjoyment for the price.

      by Stephen Rivers

      PROS ›› Comfortable on the road, impressive off-road capabilities, stylish design

      CONS ›› Average technology, some luxury features lacking, uncertain long-term running costs

      Some vehicles gain popularity solely based on their appearance. Others thrive due to clever marketing, celebrity endorsements, or strategic sponsorship deals. The Land Rover Defender, however, earned its iconic reputation through sheer, raw capability.

      Its primary selling point was its unmatched off-road performance – yet, as enhancements were gradual over its 29-year lifespan, which is quite lengthy in automotive terms, it became apparent even to its most devoted fans that it needed a modern replacement sooner rather than later.

      In 2020, Jaguar Land Rover reintroduced the legendary Defender nameplate, with a key question on everyone’s mind: Could it live up to its celebrated predecessor? Fast forward to today, and the new Defender has clearly carved its niche, evidenced by strong sales figures. In the third quarter of 2024, sales increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year.

      Such durability, years after its launch, is impressive and critical for Land Rover's success. To understand why this SUV is thriving, we spent a week testing it out. We took it off-road, embarked on long highway trips, and used it as a daily driver in the city to explore its wide-ranging capabilities.

      QUICK FACTS

      After a week with the new Defender, I can confidently state that few SUVs are as adaptable as this one. Although it's not particularly budget-friendly—costing just over $80,000—the unique offerings make it worth considering. Regardless of the challenge, the Defender handles it all with ease, providing a luxurious experience for its occupants.

      First, The Specs

      Our test vehicle is the Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE, and there are plenty of details to explore here. The "110" signifies this model is the five-seat, four-door version. There’s also a two-door variant, the “90,” for those seeking a more compact vehicle. Additionally, the Defender 130 accommodates those in need of significantly more space, offering three rows of seating, and stretches out to 211.7 inches overall, about 14 inches longer than the 110 with a shared 119-inch wheelbase.

      The X-Dynamic denotes the trim level and comes with features such as 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, grained-leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a Meridian sound system. Our test vehicle was equipped with optional features, including the Cold Climate package with heated washer jets, a heated windshield, and power washers for the headlights, as well as the Off-Road pack that comprises all-terrain tires and an electronic active differential.

      The vehicle also featured an Air Suspension pack, which is exactly what it sounds like. When combined, these options brought the total to $81,923, including destination charges. Without the add-ons, it would have cost approximately $10,000 less.

      Powertrain and Driving Impressions

      Under the hood of our Defender 110 X-Dynamic is a distinctive powertrain known as the P400. It combines a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a turbocharger, an electric supercharger, and a mild 48-volt hybrid system, generating a notable 395 horsepower (294 kW) and 406 lb-ft (549 Nm) of torque.

      This power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission manufactured by ZF. The system is designed to yield up to 18 mpg in the city, 22 on the highway, and a combined 20 mpg. Throughout our week of mixed driving, the SUV achieved an average of 19.7 mpg, which included a day of off-roading that returned 15.9 mpg.

      On-Road Manners

      The combination of on-road and off-road capabilities is what makes this SUV so special. Let's start with its role as an everyday city vehicle. In one word, it’s effortless. It could star in a Grey Poupon commercial due to its ease of driving.

      While this SUV isn’t particularly agile, its boxy design means it occupies nearly every inch of a parking space. However, the steering is precise and responsive. The chassis conveys details about road conditions to the driver without being harsh or intrusive, resulting in a smooth and comfortable ride.

      The Defender avoids excessive body roll or pitch and feels smaller than it is in many respects, including acceleration and overtaking power. With 395 horsepower, it can easily keep up with modern traffic, claiming a 0-60 mph time of just 5.9 seconds.

      Though the exhaust sound at full throttle may not be as exhilarating as that of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition recently tested