Photography courtesy Land Rover. To many, the Land Rover Defender was the adventure 4WD from our childhoods. From 1983 to 2016, the car, based on the original Land Rover “Series” 4x4s, was as rugged as it was riveted, as expected on farms as it was in the city. Put simply: it was all things to all people. In fact, one of my first driving experiences as a kid was learning to drive in a Series 2 on my aunty’s cattle station in Booubyjan, Queensland – a similar experience I’m sure a few have shared.
But while most people were content seeing Defenders roll out of showrooms for decades to come, stricter safety and emissions standards meant that the platform had to be retired in 2016. Land Rover launched its replacement three years later at the Frankfurt Motorshow to mixed responses, and the chatter hasn’t really dissipated. You see, the Defender brand is to Land Rover what the 911 is to Porsche: a poster child. But whereas Porsche has continuously updated the 911 over a 60-year period, Land Rover built a very similar car from 1948 to 2016 then, in 2019, sprung a design on us that looks like it skipped 10 stages of its evolution.
Bloodlines aside, once you stop comparing the two platforms, there’s plenty to admire about the short-wheelbase Defender. With concise overhangs and a stubby nose, the 90 is a proportional masterclass that manages to squeeze a large car into an impressively short stature of just 4,323mm (minus the spare). The car’s rear is arguably the most accurate homage to the original, with the sheer-angled panel now playing host to LED taillights and a large, soft-close tailgate. Fitted to our car were the optional 22-inch gloss black wheels ($7,267), but these compromise the car’s off-road ability. Which, let’s face it, is the whole point of buying a Defender, isn’t it?
Inside the cabin, things are equally as modern. The front section can be configured as a two or three-seater (via a fold-down, bench-style middle seat), with the latter being one of the few option boxes worth ticking. The rear leg and headroom are also surprisingly ample, with even my taller friends having space to burn. Still, the optional 14-way adjustable seats were painfully slow when getting passengers in and out, so the standard seats should be the preference if back seats are going to be frequented regularly. The interior’s materials are definitive and tread a fine line between hard-wearing and luxury, with a tasteful amount of exposed metal and plastics providing a dapper nod to the car’s capabilities.
As Land Rover fitted my Defender with the optional 22-inch wheels, the bulk of my driving was spent on the sealed stuff, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder is one of the most impressive engines I’ve experienced in a Land Rover, and the little nugget lapped up any challenge thrown at it. Driving up Macquarie Pass was effortless, as the 570Nm of torque on tap allowed the 2300kg frame to launch out of corners, regardless of gear selection or rev range. The optional air suspension pack ($1,309) is primarily utilised in off-road settings, but it was more than capable of planting the body under spirited driving, especially when you consider the 90 has such a short wheelbase and the drag coefficient of a brick.
Overall, the Land Rover Defender is an intriguing proposition. If you constantly make comparisons between the old and new Defender, you walk away jaded and disappointed. The new car is bigger, heavier, less fixable and ultimately, far more sensible than its ancestor. It may sound ridiculous, but in many ways, a Suzuki Jimny is a closer comparison to the original Defender.
But, if you take a step back, inhale a couple of deep breaths, and look at the new platform as a separate entity, it starts to make a lot more sense. At its core, it’s an extremely capable luxury adventure vehicle that’s handsome and well-equipped. Its off-road technology and abilities are best in class, the build quality and material selection is detailed, and with so many options available, it’s a genuine “choose your own adventure”.
The Land Rover Defender 90 might still rub purists the wrong way, and when they see the occasional one cruising around suburbia with 22-inch wheels and low profile tyres, they have reason to raise an eyebrow or two. But strip it back for the job it is designed to do, be pragmatic with the options list, and you’ll find that the short wheelbase Defender can deliver explorative enjoyment until the cows come home.
Tasting Notes:
- Handsome Design
- Playful Proportions
- Roomy Interior
- 4×4 Technology
Needs Ripening:
- Electronics still glitchy at times
- Price prohibitive for first-time adventurers
- Lots of options hinder practicality
Carpark credentials:
Potentially the most cameras we’ve experienced in a vehicle. Initially, it feels like choice paralysis, but it becomes very convenient once you work out how to use the system. Minimal overhangs mean you can parallel park the 90 in tighter places than you think.
The second glance:
We experienced a few “chin scratches” and a subtle “head nod” from an older gentleman walking a kelpie.
If this car was a person:
Lawrence Oates before he joined the military and sat around chuckling with the landed gentry.
