2 years ago

Land Rover Defender 2023/2022
Starting at: $53,050

Pros: Even more capable off-road than other Land Rovers, such a long ride like a truck, well-engineered cab.
Cons Even the most efficient engine is not that efficient, expensive extras, mid-range six-cylinder engine has no power.
Land Rover's verdict skillfully combined modern amenities and vintage styling to bring the Defender and its legacy into the 21st century.

Overview

For years, the Land Rover Defender has been the United Kingdom's answer to aggressive American Jeeps, but in the latest generation, the luxury brand has developed a higher level of comfort that goes hand in hand with the off-road capability of an SUV. ability. Both two- and four-door body styles are offered with comfortable and practical interiors, state-of-the-art infotainment and technical features, and Defender signature style. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is standard, with more powerful inline-six and V-8 engines available; all Defenders come standard with all-wheel drive. From there, buyers are offered a plethora of advanced off-road equipment, including locking differentials, height-adjustable air suspension and a special deep-water mode. But the biggest selling point of the new generation Defender setup is its superior road handling, giving it a level of sophistication that rivals like the Jeep Wrangler and Lexus GX can't match.

What's new in 2023?

The Defender is largely unchanged for 2023, except now its Pivi Pro infotainment system comes standard with Amazon Alexa integration.
Prices and which one to buy
Base: $53,050
From: $53,650
SE: $65,350
X-Dynamic SE: $68,250
X: $86,750
V8: $105,750
Karpaty: $112,750

As much as we love the look of the two-door 90, the four-door 110 is more practical for most buyers. The base transmission of the P300 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 hp. - Seems bouncy enough for everyday driving, so we'd stick with it; those planning to tackle some serious off-road hurdles may find the optional six-cylinder or V-8 engine to be the best choice. We'd suggest the SE trim level as it adds a number of desirable features to the Defender's specs, including 19-inch aluminum wheels, automatic high beams, 12-way power front seats and a digital display. Land Rover offers several accessory packages, each of which complements the Defender with special themed features. There are plenty of personalization options available as well, but we'll leave the customization to you.

Engine, transmission and performance
The Defender is powered by a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, every model is equipped with all-wheel drive and locking differentials for rough terrain. The Defender is also available with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that uses an electric supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system. Buyers looking for extra performance can opt for the 518-horsepower supercharged V-8, which we estimate will propel the Defender to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Unlike its predecessor, the Defender is a unibody instead of a body-on-frame, and it replaces the old solid axles with a fully independent suspension. The base suspension uses coil springs, but can be upgraded with air springs that allow ride height adjustment. The Defender has 11.5 inches of ground clearance and 35 inches of fording capability that exceeds both the Jeep Wrangler's maximum ground clearance and its fording ability.

Fuel economy and real MPG

EPA fuel economy estimates for various Defender models are fairly similar, no matter what's under the hood. The 90 four-cylinder gets 18 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Move to a six-cylinder engine and the 90's city rating drops to 17 mpg, but the highway rating rises to 22. The six-cylinder 110 has the same ratings as the six-cylinder 90. The V-8 option is rated for 14 mpg. mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

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