Off-Road Royalty

Land Rover’s Defender reigns once more, taking drivers from unpaved trails to city streets with ease and style. By Darius Amos

The station wagon was first on the scene; then came the minivan. Today, the sport utility vehicle (SUV) is the preferred family transport option, thanks to ample seating, cargo space and four-wheel-drive systems. (Sporty names suggesting adventure and ruggedness help too.) But as car manufacturers continue to search for the next thing, British automaker Land Rover has opted to spice up its original formula. Returning from a three-year hiatus is the mighty Defender, which was one of the company’s first models when it launched in 1948. (Back then, the trucks were simply named for their wheelbases: the 127, the 110, the 90.) With a fully capable 4WD system, the stylish new iteration maintains the Defender’s standing as an off-roading champ.

But as thoroughly as the Defender proves itself on the red rocks in Moab, it does just as well on the interstate and in stop-and-go city traffic. That’s because engineers made three powerful engines available to the vehicle: a turbocharged four cylinder, a turbocharged six and a supercharged, 518-horsepower eight. And the comforts in the cabin mirror those found in an uber-luxurious sedan: hand-stitched leather upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control and a standard 10-inch infotainment system display, to name three. As for the iconic “boxy” appearance of its forebears, the new Defender retains that general shape with a few sexy curves added. Rugged, good-looking and familyfriendly—that’s today’s SUV.

Starting at $46,100.

The two-door Defender 90 offers a sporty look, while the four-door 110 is available for practical drivers.

Although the iconic Defender yellow of yesteryear isn’t available for 2022, there are 10 other paint colors to choose from, including Pangea Green and Gondwana Stone, both inspired by ancient supercontinents.

Unlike other Land Rover models that use two screens, the Defender relies on a single 10-inch touchscreen with faster response times to control its infotainment system. An optional 11.4-inch screen is available.

Optional turbocharged sixcylinder and supercharged eight-cylinder engines give the Defender extra power, whether it’s needed to pass in the fast lane or ascend a rocky cliff.

If an SUV with speed is your thing, the Defender’s optional V8 engine produces 518 horsepower and can complete the 0-to-60mph dash in 4.9 seconds.

Traversing rocks, wading across streams and hopping a curb are easy tasks for the Defender, which has 11.5 inches of ground clearance.

An air spring suspension upgrade enables the driver to adjust the ride height on the fly.