Pros

• Strong ability to go off-road.
• There are many ways to change things.
• It can go off-road and has the latest safety measures.
• A smooth-riding SUV that can go off-road.

Cons

• Some choices may cost money.
• The back hatch door is big and heavy, opening wide toward the street.

The device that moves the Defender 130. The Defender 130 we tried had a six-cylinder engine that made 395 hp. On the Invoice Pricing test track, the 130 could go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. This was thanks to its fast engine. This puts it on the same level as the other top six-cylinder cars. But the power to stop wasn’t as strong. It took about 125 feet to stop the 60 mph Defender 130. For example, when we tried a Mercedes GLS, it reached 105 feet.

Even though it is significant, the 130 is easy to live with. The engine’s auto-stop/start feature works without being annoying, and the eight-speed automatic transmission shifts almost quietly. This three-row SUV is also easy to drive. We didn’t think something this big could do that, but it works well almost everywhere.

How does the Defender 130 feel? The Defender is almost always just as comfortable as a higher-class car. It seems bright as it moves along the road and doesn’t stop when it comes to rough spots or bumps. It’s also a nice place to sit down. Even though the front seats of our test SUV could be changed in many ways, some of our drivers thought the padding was too firm.

The Defender 130 is also very quiet. Because there is so much metal and cloth, you are well protected from the outside world. Even when driving on the highway, this Defender is quiet enough to put all seven people inside to sleep because there are almost no loud noises or movements. The climate control system can create a comfortable setting inside, no matter how hot or cold it is outside.

How does the inside look? The Defender’s interior differs from that of other Land Rover cars, which is good. Unlike most of its brothers, the Defender’s dashboard has extensive physical controls that are easy to see. Even though it takes some time to get used to them, multifunction buttons make the Defender’s interior much more accessible. Also, the collection of buttons always looks open.

There is a lot of glass to look out of, and the high driving position makes you feel like you’re in something powerful. The glass panorama canopy makes the room feel bigger. There aren’t many blind spots, and the front view is straightforward and comprehensive. Even though the car looks big, the 130 is smaller than some of the other considerable vehicles in the area. On the other hand, there is a lot of room in the first two rows. The third-row seat is also a big deal because of how big it is. Two adults of average size can fit there nicely.

How good is the tech? Technology is an area where the Defender needs to get better. The infotainment system is easy to use because it has clear menus and a set side rail, making it easy to switch between tasks. The Meridian audio system in the SUV we tested sounded good, with good sound quality and a strong bass.

Also, this Land Rover would be much better off with more USB ports in the front, a more reliable wireless Apple CarPlay link, and voice commands that aren’t limited to a setlist. During the two weeks we had our test car, the infotainment system had to be restarted three times, which is a lot for a car that costs nearly $90,000.

Our test vehicle didn’t have adaptive speed control, which is almost a must-have for a big family car that will be used for long trips. The 360-degree camera system makes parking in tight places less stressful, and the lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot warning systems work well.

What about putting things away? The 130 has 13.7 cubic feet of room when all three rows are up, making it the most giant Defender available. When all the back seats are folded down, you’ll have 88.9 cubic feet of place to store things. Even if you go to Home Depot and Ikea on the same day, you still have time for more trips. It has about the same room for cargo as a BMW X7 but less than a Mercedes GLS or Jeep Wagoneer. The rear air suspension can also be lowered with a button on the back of the car, which can help ease back strain when loading and unloading things.

There are also many places to put small things. The center desk is big and wide, the door bins are significant, and a helpful parcel shelf almost surrounds the dash. The frame is a brilliant addition to the Defender’s interior, and it gives people a place to put their phones, wallets, and other small items. Parents who need to fit a car seat may have trouble with the height of the Defender, but lowering the standard air suspension to “entry height” helps a little.

How well does the Defender 130 do its job? In the city and on the highway, the Defender 130 gets 19 mpg, which is typical for a sizeable six-cylinder SUV. During our mixed-driving test, the 395-hp engine in our Defender 130 got an average of 18.7 mpg. This could mean the Defender 130 will use more gas than the EPA says on our route. It’s not uncommon for us to see a number that’s higher than the EPA’s estimate.

Is it a good idea to buy a Defender 130? Since we first looked at the Defender, the way it was made has gotten better. At first, there were missing walls and squeaks inside, but these were no longer there. The shape of this Defender is like that of a stone wall. A luxury SUV in this price range should have pieces that fit together well. When you think about how useful it is, how it comes with air suspension (an extra on other Defenders), and how well it performs on and off-road, the 130 is well worth the price.

But Land Rover’s warranty coverage is a little less than the average for the business. It only covers the basics and the engine for four years and 50,000 miles. Land Rover differs from many other brands because it does not offer a free servicing package.

Even though it is very famous, the Defender is still one of the first. It means something. It’s a well-thought-out redesign of a classic brand that stands out by being comfortable, capable off-road, and generally free of bad habits. The Defender 130 is a well-rounded choice that’s hard to pass up if you’re looking for a large SUV with eight seats and good off-road skills.

We suggest you use the X grade to make the most of the Land Rover Defender’s unique selling point—its ability to go off-road. One of the best features of an all-terrain vehicle is an adaptable air suspension that can be adjusted for height. This gives the car more ground clearance and a more comfortable ride on the road.

Versions of the Land Rover Defender

There are three different body styles for the 2024 Land Rover Defender. The Defender 130 has a longer wheelbase, and the Defender 90 is the most minor two-door type. The Defender 110 has four doors and two rows of seats. The new Defender 130 Outbound doesn’t have a third row, making more room for goods. The Defender 90 can have an extra front jump seat, and the Defender 110 can have a third row with two chairs (but not both simultaneously).