One can’t quite believe the current Land Rover Defender has been with us for half a decade already. The analogue icon was reimagined with bang-up to date off road technology and the latest infotainment toys and refinement.
With numerous appearances in recent pop culture and its penchant for occupying the driveways of many who can afford its price tag, I certainly wasn’t going to turn down the chance to revisit Defender in some way.
The Defender range is still immensely diverse with petrol, diesel and PHEV options in small 90, mid-sized 110 and larger 130 form which now includes the latest rip-snorting Defender OCTA coming in as the new flagship of the range.
My test car was the 110 which has a starting price of $135,900. Spec level? The D300 SE. This means a twin-turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder engine with all-wheel-drive, naturally. Coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, power sits at 221kW and torque at a sizeable 650Nm. Its meaty low-down off the mark torque too, but more on that in a bit.
Outside its still a statement of British stiff upper lip design. The classic lines and sharp angles which echo the Defender’s past are still very much there and come together with modern and contemporary cues which all add up to make a distinctive and well-proportioned package. Plus the 20-inch alloys look pretty good too.
The Defender’s cabin is still a blend of toughness and refinement. While you have plenty of high-grade materials lining the interior for the driver and passengers, I certainly wouldn’t freak out if I bought my muddy walking shoes into the car after a ramble in the countryside. The again, with features like easily washable rubber floor mats, that is pretty much what Land Rover expects Defender owners to do.
The focal point of said cabin is the 11.4-inch PIVI Pro touchscreen infotainment system. This is larger and feels more driver focused than the original 10-inch system we had before. Its curved screen also feels like it’s been moulded to suit the dash instead of just put in place like an afterthought. The graphics are incredibly sharp, and it sports one of the most dynamic looking sat nav system one can find in any car. It’s also great how you can use the climate control toggle switches for different options like the seat heaters. I also love the bionic limb-esque gear lever which is responsive and easy to reach.
While not bursting at the seams with onboard technology, my D300 SE still came with plenty of niceties like the Cold Climate Pack which included heated seats, heated steering wheel and even heated washer jets. You also have the air suspension pack which allows you to raise or lower the ride height at will, something which makes climbing aboard easy enough. The Defender will also raise itself up to normal ride height when moving off. When the time comes to venture off the beaten path, press the ride height button and rears up to full height, ready and able to devour the rough stuff.
Additional features included things like adaptive cruise control, rear collision monitoring, leather trim, blind spot detection, lane keep assist, 3D surround view camera, LED headlights with DRLs, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and a thumping great Meridian sound system which managed a fine job of bringing much of the collected works of John Williams to life nicely. Space is also a Defender hallmark as there are plenty of nifty storage bins and legroom to enjoy, plus 397L of boot space.
After an hour on the move, the Defender D300’s 3.0L twin-turbocharged diesel six pot shows itself to be one of the smoothest and most refined diesel engines I have come in across in the recent years. With a redline of 5,500rpm, in typical diesel-y fashion you have a strong torque delivery which kicks in low down in the rev range somewhere in the region of 1500rpm while propelling you forward with pomp and dignity, something you would certainly expect from a car of this type and pedigree.
As mentioned previously, Defenders of old were an analogue feeling affair but the current D300 Defender is very well polished and that immensely satisfying deliver of silky power and torque means you have spades of refined momentum on tap. Sure, you have a smattering of mild body roll in the corners but its no real hardship because overall, the Defender still feels composed and relatively planted.
You sit rather high up still and your ability to possess a panoramic view of your immediate surroundings is nice. The only compromised area of visibility is naturally at the rear thanks to the rear mounted spare wheel.
Having a bit of a play on the soft sand and riverbed of the Waimakariri river just north of Christchurch was just what was required. It was time for the Defender 110 D300 SE to enter its happy place.
With cameras all around, locking differentials, all manner of low range, rough terrain gadgetry on hand to keep you climbing every mountain or fording every stream, the Defender eats it all up. Sadly, I was unable to test the full 900mm wading depth but its ability to devour terrain of just about every side and surface is nothing short of profound. You may never use half of its off-road capabilities but it’s nice to know that you have such tech on tap if or when you need it.
Aside from the immense off-road tech and all the capability that goes with it, for me the best thing about the D300 SE Defender is that engine. That glorious twin-turbo six is such a deliciously smooth and refined power unit that unless you want the throaty growl and that extra dosage of performance which comes with the V8 end of the spectrum, you would be better off just sticking with the turbo six. For me it would be my choice hands down.
All in all, it is still hard not to be drawn in to the Defender way of all terrain motoring.
RATING: 8.5/10
