how-to-spec-a-land-rover-defender

Hyundai

Santa Fe

Sorento

Land Rover

Discovery

Range Rover

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

DEFENDER

The reinvented <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/defender/4x4/review/n21198">Land Rover Defender</a> sits at the upper end of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/large-suv">large SUV</a>&nbsp;class, rivalling the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/santa-fe/4x4/review/n68">Hyundai Santa Fe</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/sorento/4x4/review/n18">Kia Sorento</a>. The Defender matches them in many regards, including passenger space and interior quality, but it separates itself with uncanny off-road abilities and distinctive Tonka toy looks.

If you’re buying a Defender, we recommend that you opt for the five-door ‘110’ body, which is more practical than the three-door ‘90’ because it brings a larger boot and easier passenger access. Supply shortages mean that you currently can’t order our favourite engine, the&nbsp;entry-level D250 diesel, so we’d opt for the D300 instead, which offers effortless acceleration both on and off-road. Teaming that with entry-level X-Dynamic S trim helps to keep costs down, while still including essential&nbsp;kit such as an 11.4in touchscreen infotainment system, cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

There’s still plenty you can add to improve the Defender&nbsp;to make it easier to live with, though, so here’s what we’d choose from the options list.

Slideshow story – please click the right-hand arrow below to continue

Land Rover Defender options to choose and avoid

<h3>1. Off-Road Pack (£1170)</h3>

As its name&nbsp;suggests, the Off-Road Pack (£1170) increases&nbsp;the Defender’s traction on tricky terrain with a set of off-road tyres and an electronic differential. To get technical for a moment, the latter&nbsp;controls the difference in speed between the left and right-side wheels, significantly boosting&nbsp;traction on slippery surfaces. This'll be a big help in any&nbsp;off-grid adventures you might undertake, yet doesn't&nbsp;compromise the Defender’s&nbsp;practicality or on-road comfort.

Land Rover Defender options to choose

<h3 dir="ltr">2. Clearsight rear-view mirror (£525)</h3>

Ever had such a full boot that you can't see out the rear screen? Well, this option eliminates that issue by turning the&nbsp;rear-view mirror into a digital screen at the touch of a button, and displaying&nbsp;the&nbsp;rearward view&nbsp;courtesy of a roof-mounted camera. This also circumvents the blind spot caused by the Defender's tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

<h3 dir="ltr">3. Secure Tracker Pro (36 month subscription) (£520)</h3>

Unfortunately, the prestige of Land Rovers also catches the eye of crooks;&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Discovery</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a> were respectively the UK’s seventh and second-most <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-most-stolen-cars-in-the-uk/n21162">stolen cars</a> in 2021. As such, we recommend opting for a three-year Secure Tracker Pro subscription (£520). This comes with an app that enables&nbsp;you to track your Defender's location in real time&nbsp;and alerts your phone if somebody attempts to start the car&nbsp;without an authorised key.

<h3 dir="ltr">4. Cold Climate Pack (£455)</h3>

There’s little worse than having to drive a frozen car in the depths of winter. The Cold Climate Pack (£455) is for such scenarios; it adds heating to the steering wheel as well as the headlight and windscreen washers. The former keeps your hands warm, while the latter two prevent washer fluid from freezing. This ensures you’ll be able to wipe away any detritus blocking your view – especially important in poor conditions.

<h3>5. Interior Protection Pack (£295)</h3>

Adventures in the British countryside can be mucky, especially if you’ve got children or a furry friend on board. To avoid dirtying your Defender’s carpets you’ll want the Interior Protection Pack (£295), which adds removable, deep-sided rubber mats to the interior and boot.

<h3>1. 22in alloy wheels (£3980)</h3>

We think that you should avoid the 22in alloy wheels on the Land Rover Defender because – at £3890&nbsp;– they’re too expensive for a purely aesthetic option. Instead, we’d spend the cash elsewhere&nbsp;– it's enough to cover all&nbsp;the options we recommend – and opt for one of the two 19in designs available at no extra cost.

Land Rover Defender options to avoid

Model: Land Rover Defender 110 D300&nbsp;X-Dynamic S

List price £62,495

Target price £62,495

Target PCP £703pm

Options we’d add Off-Road Pack (£1170), Clearsight rear-view mirror (£525), Secure Tracker Pro (36-month subscription) (£520), Cold Climate Pack (£455), Interior Protection Pack (£295)

Total cost of options £2965

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/land-rover/defender/4x4/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Land Rover Defender &gt;&gt;</a>

<hr />
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<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/how-to-spec">Next: See how to spec more cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

Land Rover Defender – Best buy

How to spec a Land Rover Defender

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement.

A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

Large SUV

Our guide to the Land Rover Defender large SUV covers which options to choose, which to avoid, and how much to pay for it all

How to spec a Land Rover Defender        

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.

BENTLEY

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW ALPINA

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

GENESIS

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

INEOS

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by Fiat, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from the Italian giant; the entry-level Renegade, for example, has plenty in common with Fiat’s 500X.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

The brand’s future plans include new small and large SUVs, plus the introduction of fully electric models.

JEEP

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

DISCOVERY

DISCOVERY SPORT

RANGE ROVER

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

RANGE ROVER SPORT

Reinventing an icon like the Land Rover Defender isn’t easy, and it's something Land Rover thought long and hard about before reviving the Defender name.

To try to keep existing Defender fans happy while attracting new SUV buyers, the British brand&nbsp;decided to leave no room for criticism. So&nbsp;this latest model is more practical, more refined and more capable off road than its illustrious predecessor.

The Defender is available in three body styles. There's the three-door&nbsp;Defender 90, the longer, five-door Defender 110 – which is available as a five, six or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;and the even longer&nbsp;Defender 130, which comes with up to eight seats.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PeLBdDssy8I?si=SG-SL0Cwc8FRON_n" width="560"></iframe>

The Defender 90 is up against other&nbsp;premium family SUV models, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>. In 110 and 130 form, it's&nbsp;competing with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X5</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>. Buyers in search of serious off-road prowess might also be considering the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/wrangler/4x4/review/n196">Jeep Wrangler</a> or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/g-class/4x4/review/n180">Mercedes G-Class</a>.

Read on to find out how we rate&nbsp;the Land Rover Defender, and whether it can hold its own against all those rivals...

The Land Rover Defender&nbsp;is practical, comfortable and unstoppable off road

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