The trendy Land Rover Defender doesn’t have a scarcity of seats. You will get a 3rd row within the 110 and a entrance bench seat within the 90, making it potential for six to seven folks to come back alongside on no matter journey you had cooked up. In fact, “coming alongside” is just not the identical as “being snug.” For that, you’ll want the brand new 2023 Land Rover Defender 130.
The 130 is just about equivalent to the 110 from the entrance bumper to the again doorways. Even the wheelbase is similar. The distinction is the additional 13.5 inches tacked onto the again finish, a lot of that hanging over the rear wheels. When you’re pondering that’ll considerably scale back the departure angle, you’d be proper. Evaluating the 130 to an air-suspension-equipped 110 (the 130 solely comes with air suspension), the 110 has a 37.7-degree departure angle at on-road top and 40 levels on the off-road setting. In the meantime, the 130 has a 24.5-degree departure angle on the on-road top and 28.5 levels when raised. So, if you are going to be off-roading your 130, you have to to watch out to not drag the tail. A minimum of the method and breakover angles keep the identical, as do the bottom clearances of 8.5 and 11.5 inches relying on suspension mode.
The additional size additionally modifications the Defender’s look, and never for the higher so far as many of the Autoblog workers is worried. After spending every week with it, nonetheless, I got here to moderately just like the look and discover that the 110 nearly appears stubby as compared. On the very least, it undoubtedly appears higher in particular person, so earlier than writing it off completely, ensure you verify one out in actual life.
In addition to the apparent additional size, one notable exterior change is the dearth of the rear safari home windows. As an alternative, the 130 will get a conventional sunroof. It is undoubtedly not as distinctive because the safari home windows on the quick Defenders, but it surely does let in additional gentle (or much less when you shut the shade), which helps the rear-most seats really feel airier and extra spacious.
And on the subject of room, the 130 has a lot of it, not less than for passengers. At about 5-foot-11, and slightly beneath 300 kilos, yours actually can sit fairly comfortably within the third row. There’s loads of headroom and even legroom. It would not require the second-row occupants to sacrifice a lot, if in any respect. So, the promise of a Defender with really usable additional seats is glad. That doesn’t make it a minivan, although. The third-row seat is a tad agency, a bit near the ground and good luck becoming three throughout regardless of having the seatbelts for it. Entry can be slightly tough because the rear doorways aren’t any bigger and the second row merely slides ahead with none seat-bottom methods to offer a wider pass-through.
The scenario is comparable with cargo area. All that additional size does lead to significantly extra space than the Defender 110 and only a bit greater than the opposite Land Rover three-row SUV, the Discovery, however volumes aren’t as huge as you may count on when in comparison with the phase as a complete. House with all seats up is one of the best illustration of this: The 130 supplies 15.Three cubic toes of area, which is a helpful enchancment over the three-row 110’s almost ineffective 10.7, however nonetheless one of many smaller quantities for a three-row SUV. Behind the second row, the 130 expands its lead with 43.5 cubes to the three-row 110’s 34.6. Flatten the second row and the 130 maxes out at 80.9 cubic toes versus the 110’s 69. Among the 130’s cargo-hauling functionality is barely hampered by the hump fashioned by the folded third row. Bear in mind, although, that the Defender’s boxy form ought to make it extra helpful than its numbers recommend when evaluating it to different massive, extra rounded SUVs.
All the things else inside is shared with the 110. There’s the identical charming mixture of utilitarian options and supplies corresponding to cabinets and grippy buttons, with splashes of luxurious corresponding to natural-finish wooden trim and smooth infotainment graphics. Ahead visibility is nice, however rear visibility is much less in order full-size headrests for each seating place refill the rearview mirror.
As for the driving expertise, effectively, there is not a lot totally different in comparison with the smaller Defenders. The 130 comes commonplace with air suspension, which presents adjustable experience top both for improved off-roading or simpler entry when parked. It is tuned a bit comfortable however is effectively managed. Cornering is just not the Defender’s robust go well with with an honest little bit of roll, but it surely’s a rattling sight higher than a G-Wagen or Wrangler. And the steering is surprisingly correct, even when sluggish and light-weight in effort. It is clearly tuned to make it simpler to navigate tight wooded trails, or equally tight parking tons.
Whereas the opposite Defenders provide four- and eight-cylinder engines, the Defender 130 is simply out there with turbocharged, mild-hybrid 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines, one in every of which is unique to the mannequin. That will be the bottom, low-output inline-six (dubbed P300), which makes 296 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. Our check automobile, although, was outfitted with the P400 high-output mild-hybrid inline-six making 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.
Even with out having skilled the low-output engine, we’re assured in recommending the high-output engine in case your funds permits. It is impressively clean and quiet, and it strikes the Defender effortlessly. The automated is a stable match, shifting easily and rapidly sufficient, and full-time four-wheel-drive is helpful in nasty climate. The low-output engine is probably going equally clean (and has the identical driveline), but it surely has no benefits in comparison with the high-output one. It is down on energy, and it has the identical fuel-economy score at 17 mpg metropolis, 21 freeway and 19 mixed. It does nonetheless have the 8,200-pound tow score, however once more, you may have all that plus an additional hundred horsepower and pound-feet of torque for only a bit extra up entrance.
The 130’s additional area does include a serious worth enhance. The most affordable model out there is the S trim at $69,475. If you need the high-output six, it is one other $10,300 to maneuver as much as the SE, which does web you some extra options corresponding to totally different headlights, a sunroof and 20-inch wheels. For comparability, you may get a Defender 110 for as little as $54,975, or $59,775 for a comparable 110 S. So, you actually should ask your self if that additional area is value an additional $10,000?
The Defender 130 finally fills a really particular area of interest: a luxurious three-row SUV that may go off-roading, however, not like Land Rover’s present Discovery, with the boxy, rugged, go-anywhere look that’s all the fad these days. It’s actually the one sport on the town, however due to its good passenger packaging and nice base driving expertise, not less than it’s a superb one.
