Land Rover is one of the OG off-road automakers. Maurice Wilks conceived the company’s first 4×4 in 1947, and the Land Rover Defender is a big part of that history. This SUV debuted in 1983 with the Land Rover One Ten and enjoyed a three-decade-plus run before the recently formed Jaguar Land Rover sent it to the garage in 2016. As it turned out, a new generation was on the horizon, with the revamped Land Rover Defender L663 series coming out for 2020 and undergoing multiple updates since.
Some off-roaders, though, remain skeptical of the new Land Rover Defender for sale. Unlike the original body-on-frame SUV, the L663 Defender is a unibody crossover, so how good can it be on rough terrain? Once the “unibody bias” is removed and you look beneath the refined appearance, though, it’s clear this is an excellent off-road machine straight from the factory. Join us as we dig deep into how the Land Rover Defender is made, the important features it comes with, and other ways it caters to even the most fanatical adventurers.
Built to Drive Over or Through Off-Road Obstacles
Without good infrastructure, everything else about a touted off-road vehicle doesn’t matter. The Land Rover Defender openly flouts the stereotypes of crossovers by being a well-designed, strongly built, and tech-infused vehicle that will thrive on uneven ground. Unlike traditional off-road vehicles that have solid axles and leaf springs, the Defender uses an independent suspension and coil springs. This is beneficial in many off-road situations as it produces a smoother ride over bumps, dips, hills, and dunes, especially at higher speeds. Land Rover engineered it for impressive off-road articulation, and the ride quality is great once you return to the main roads, too.
In addition, Land Rover offers an adaptive air suspension standard on some Defender models and as an upgrade on the entry-level trims. This system automatically adjusts based on real-time feedback to improve traction and ride comfort. It also allows you to change the ride height, with a maximum of 11.5 inches for the best obstacle and breakover clearance. Not only that, but you can drive through water up to 35 inches deep, so say hello to even more intense beach and woodland river outings.
To optimize the mechanical prowess, the Defender comes equipped with a pupu platter of off-road-friendly features. Every model has a terrain response system, hill launch assistance, hill descent control, dynamic and roll stability control, low-traction launch, and even brake hold. You also get a two-speed high/low transfer case and intelligent AWD to adapt to every possible condition. Most Defenders come with all-season tires, but serious off-roaders can easily request OEM all-terrain tires for more grip on dirt, snow, and sand.
Compact, Midsize, or Full? The Choice is Yours
A long-standing debate in the off-road community is about what size SUV is best for off-roading. Many off-roaders consider a midsize 4×4 to be the best, as it offers a strong combination of maneuverability and ruggedness. Some people, though, prefer a compact SUV because it can better handle tight turns and narrow trails. Others like a full-size SUV because it can withstand the punishment of tight terrain and has more space for passengers and cargo.
There’s a saying that if you try to please everyone, you don’t please anyone. Jaguar Land Rover didn’t listen to that advice when creating the Defender, though, and off-roaders should be glad they didn’t. The Defender is available as a compact, midsize, AND full-size SUV, letting you get its outstanding off-road performance in any size. The two-row compact Defender 90 is 170.6 in long and has a cargo capacity of 51.7 cu.ft.. The midsize Defender 110 is 187.3 in long and offers 78.8 cu.ft. for cargo, but admittedly has a tight optional third row. With the 200.8-in full-size Defender 130, you get 89 cu.ft. of cargo space and a larger third row so up to seven other people can join your off-road adventure comfortably.
Powerful Engines to Get You Anywhere
How much power do you need for your off-roader? Do you need just enough for overlanding and mid-level trails? A little more punch for dunes and steep hills? The maximum output to fly across open terrain? Or whatever gives you the highest towing capacity to bring boats, bikes, and other gear to remote locations? The Land Rover Defender is here for you again with five engine combinations:
- P300: Available in the Defender 90 and 110, the P300 is a 2.0L turbo-four with 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
- P300B: With the Defender 130, the P300 becomes a 3.0L turbocharged and supercharged inline-six, which has the same horsepower but boosts torque to 347 lb-ft.
- P400: Offered for all Defenders, the P400 converts the 3.0L P300 to a mild hybrid. The electric motor increases performance to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft with an 8,201 lb towing capacity on the Defender 90 and 110.
- P500: Available on the Defender 110 and 130 through 2024, this 5.0L supercharged V8 generates an impressive 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.
- P525: Every Defender can be ordered with an upgraded version of the 5.0L V8 that slams forward with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft.
Continue Off-Roading Well After Dark
Overland trails, dunes, and rock walls don’t magically disappear when the sun goes down. Too many times, though, off-roaders find themselves forced to buy a stadium’s worth of aftermarket lighting for their SUV or be forced to park it for the night. Land Rover didn’t just slap some basic headlights and tail lights on this SUV and call it a day. They designed it so you can experience your favorite destinations 24/7.
For starters, every single exterior light is LED, giving you illumination and longevity that’s superior to halogens. In addition to the head and tail lights, the Land Rover Defender has daytime running lamps, front fog lights, and even rear fog lights for backing up in hazy weather. Automatic headlight leveling gives you strong beams even when the SUV is being jolted. Finally, Land Rover added a high-mount stop light and factory puddle lights. Some models even get interior alpine window lights to ensure visibility in the cabin.
The Defender OCTA: Hail the New King
A small but vocal segment won’t be satisfied even with the most capable “regular” off-roader. For this group, Land Rover brings you the Defender OCTA. The mega-SUV is the equivalent of the Ford Bronco Raptor or the Jeep Rubicon X, but it may be even better.
The OCTA upgrades the suspension, engine, and almost everything else about the Defender. The improved 6D Dynamics air suspension with triple-valve dampers continually adjusts to the terrain. The suspension corners are also connected diagonally instead of laterally, improving roll control for more stability. A special “OCTA Mode” recalibrates the brakes for loose gravel, and the cabin screen displays the suspension forces in real time.
This high-performance foundation runs on a 4.4L twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine that marches to the beat of 626 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, going from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. There is also an integrated power brake system with heavy-duty pads, an increased ground clearance of 12.7 in, independent wheel decoupling to assist with terrain changes, special bumpers to improve approach and departure angles, and an active exhaust management system to reduce heat. The OCTA even has a wider body for the large wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires. Note that this super-powered SUV is only available in the Defender 110 midsize layout.
On Any Land, the Defender Delivers
For my money, the modern Land Rover Defender L663 lives up to the legacy of the classic L315 and L136 models and then some. It’s a former winner of the MotorTrend SUV of the Year Award because it does what people thought was a pipe dream by squeezing high-level off-road capability from a crossover SUV. I haven’t even mentioned the outstanding on-board tech that includes built-in navigation to contribute to your excursions. Give the next-generation Land Rover Defender a chance, and you’ll see that it’s worthy of the legendary name.
