CategoriesNews
By

2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Tested: It’s a Stretch

The brand’s marquee off-roader goes to greater length to carry a crowd.

The classic Land Rover Defender came in various sizes and shapes, so it’s in keeping with tradition that the new one should too. Upon its debut, the reborn Defender appeared both as the mainstay four-door 110 and the two-door 90—which is lesser in length but greater in charm. The Defender 110 does offer the option of a supplemental rear bench wedged into the cargo area, though it’s all but useless. To create a genuine three-row seating package required a third body style, and that’s what we now have with the taffy-stretched Defender 130.

We’ve praised the current Defender’s design, which manages the not-so-easy feat of looking wholly modern and yet unmistakably kin to the off-road icon that first appeared in the 1940s. That sentiment applies both to the Defender 90 and the 110, but the 130’s extra length—it is 13.3 inches longer than the 110, 30.5 inches longer than the 90—throws off its proportions. (For some of us, it calls to mind the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L.) With the long rear overhang, one can almost imagine that opening the side-hinged cargo door and plopping a particularly heavy item onto the rear load floor could result in the Land Rover popping a wheelie.

Of course, that would never happen, in part because the Defender itself is so heavy. At 5931 pounds, our Defender 130 is 158 pounds heavier than the last Defender 110 to cross our scales.

The 130’s engine offerings are trimmed from the bottom and the top, which means there’s no turbo four and no V-8. Motivating this Land Rover’s mass, therefore, is one of two 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines: the 296-hp P300 and the 395-hp P400. In most cases, it’ll be the P400, which is in all but the lowest trim level.

The turbo-boosted inline-six also features an electrically driven supercharger, which effectively combats turbo lag. There’s also a 48-volt motor-generator; despite its presence, restarts from the auto stop-start system could be snappier. The long-travel accelerator seems designed for careful modulation in delicate off-pavement situations, with a demure tip-in. Push past that, however, and this boosted six proves smooth and muscular. Working in concert with a superb ZF-built eight-speed automatic, it shrugs off the 130’s avoirdupois and proves more than up to the task of propelling our well-loaded example. Whereas a 2020 Defender 110 SE (with the same engine) needs 6.3 seconds to hit 60 and 14.8 seconds to power through the quarter-mile, this 130 charges to 60 mph in 6.2 clicks and shaves 0.2 seconds off the quarter-mile time. It’s also rated to tow 8200 pounds.

Predictably, EPA estimates are grim at 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (with either engine), and in our 75-mph fuel-economy test, the XL Landie quaffed a gallon of premium every 19 miles. That sounds bad, but it’s actually 1 mpg better than our result with a Defender 110X with the same powertrain. We should note the 110X was equipped with the Explorer package that includes a roof rack, snorkel, and side-mounted gear carrier.

We didn’t have an opportunity to drive the Defender 130 in its natural environment—climbing the mountains of Nepal, say, or traversing the jungles of Borneo. Those who do travel in extremis will want to be mindful of their extra-long steed’s commensurately shallower departure angle—28.5 degrees versus 40.0 degrees for the 110—lest the larger Rover drag its bodacious booty on a rock. Otherwise, though, the 130 should be as capable as its siblings off-road. That is to say, very, as we discovered piloting a Defender 110 through the muck on Michigan’s Drummond Island. The standard all-wheel-drive system includes a two-speed transfer case, and the center differential is lockable. A locking rear differential is available as part of the $1500 Off-Road package. Ground clearance is 11.4 inches, and like its siblings the 130 can ford 35.4 inches of water.

The Defender 130 gets air springs, along with Land Rover’s Adaptive Dynamics, as standard. The sophisticated suspension keeps the ride from getting bouncy, and it effectively isolates passengers from broken pavement. The steering is pleasantly weighted and precise for such a serious off-roader, but when cornering, the Defender 130 feels every inch of its size and will have you slowing considerably for curves. At the track, the 130 recorded a modest 0.71 g of lateral grip.

The Defender’s brake-by-wire system, which in the 2020 model we found difficult to modulate, brings no complaints this time around. The setup also proves highly effective in panic stops, hauling the Land Rover down from 70 mph in just 167 feet.

None of the above is a great deviation from other Defender models. The big change here is the interior package: The 130 clearly was designed to accommodate three rows of seating. Its back bench has sufficient headroom and an additional 11.2 inches legroom for teens or even average-size adults, although foot room is tight. Split 40/20/40 or optionally 60/40, the seat has belts for three, which seems optimistic unless they’re all waifish models. Land Rover includes USB-C ports and even optional seat heaters back there, plus a supplemental sunroof, so it doesn’t feel too much like steerage. One other change from lesser Defenders is that the 130 doesn’t offer the unusual three-person front bench seat (which would have pushed total capacity to nine), nor can second-row captain’s chairs be had.

Even with the extra-long body, with all seats deployed, passengers won’t be able to pack much more than a toothbrush and a change of underwear. Behind the rearmost seat there’s space for just three carry-on bags. In max-cargo mode, there’s 81 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, which is only two cubic feet more than in the three-row Defender 110. That’s about as much as you’d find in a Nissan Pathfinder but less than in some other mid-sizers, such as the Hyundai Palisade, Chevrolet Traverse, or Volkswagen Atlas, and with the seats folded, the Land Rover’s load floor isn’t flat.

As in its less lengthy stablemates, the Defender interior is ruggedly practical, featuring grab handles, durable-looking finishes, and numerous storage cubbies. Yet it manages to avoid seeming basic thanks to extensive padded surfaces. It’s distinctly different from other upscale SUVs.

Distinctly different describes the Defender overall, and the pricing is certainly upscale. The 130 skips the steel-wheels stripper trim level and starts instead with the S, for $69,475, which is a premium of $9700 over the 110 S. From there, it climbs through SE, X-Dynamic SE, and First Edition trim levels to top out with the X, which retails for $101,375 before options. Beyond the extra spend, though, there aren’t many compromises to be made here. With the 130, Land Rover successfully stretches the Defender in size and capability.

Specifications

2023 Land Rover Defender 130 First Edition
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 8-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $86,175/$92,075
Options: 22-inch Gloss Sparkle Silver wheels, $2000; Towing Pack 2 (tow hitch receiver, advanced tow assist, configurable terrain response), $1850; Carpathian Grey paint, $1050; Cold Climate pack (heated windshield, washer jets, and steering wheel, headlight washers), $500; 60/40-split, heated third-row seat, $300; full-size spare, $200

ENGINE
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2996 cm3
Power: 395 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.3-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Continental CrossContact LX
HL275/45R-22 115W M+S LR

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in
Length: 210.9 in
Width: 79.1 in
Height: 77.6 in
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 81/44/14 ft3
Curb Weight: 5931 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.7 sec
130 mph: 33.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.4 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 131 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 167 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.71 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 19 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 370 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 19/17/21 mpg

Article Credits: Joe Lorio
Full Articles: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a42555354/2023-land-rover-defender-130-by-the-numbers/



CategoriesNews
By

Five Great Aftermarket Parts for Your New Land Rover Defender

Although the storied marque of the Land Rover Defender vehicles dates back almost 80 years, the latest and fully-revamped generation (L663) was only released recently in 2020. The Defender has always been equipped for serious adventure, and with the newest iteration, Land Rover made great strides to keep that spirit alive and allow for the maximum amount of customization that a potential owner would want to employ. By swapping accessories around, an owner can tailor their Defender to be the ultimate around-town family hauler, or gear it up for some more remote expeditions.

No matter which flavor of the new Defender you might own (90, 110, 130), each vehicle is offered from the factory with four accessory packs: Explorer, Adventure, Country, and Urban. These each contain a unique combination of factory accessories tailored to how an owner primarily expects to use their Defender. These include roof racks, bumpers, external panniers mounted to the C-pillars, and more. Perhaps you’ve chosen the Urban pack and would like to add a roof rack. Or, perhaps you’re kitted out with the Adventure pack and would like a few refinements and creature comforts to employ around town. We’ll take you through the five best aftermarket parts and accessories for any new Land Rover Defender.

Low-Profile Voyager Offroad Roof Rack

The Voyager Offroad Overland Roof Rack is a beautiful and functional full-length roof rack, constructed of bent and welded tubing. Obviously, this provides a plethora of opportunities to mount cargo shells, kayaks, bicycles, or anything else you might want to transport, but its low profile and sleek design will help keep your Defender looking great around town, too. This low-profile model is two inches lower than the standard height, which is also a benefit for garage-kept vehicles. What’s more, these are fully compatible with Defenders equipped with sunroofs. This roof rack takes advantage of the Land Rover-provided mounting points and there’s no drilling required to mount, so you can take off the rack at a later date if you ever wish to. Combine this with the Land Rover Deployable Roof Ladder for easy access to anything stowed on your roof. This is a good option for those who may not have ordered their Defender with a roof rack from the factory.

Land Rover Quilted Loadspace Liner

Anyone who has had to take their four-legged friend in a car will understand the potential for disaster that can arise when transporting your most precious cargo; from pet hair everywhere to the aftermath of an upset tummy, it can result in a real mess inside your nice, new Land Rover. Thankfully, a great solution to this problem is available in the Quilted Loadspace Liner, another official Land Rover accessory. A svelte and padded fabric protects the cargo area, rear seats, and comes with a detachable bumper protector. Designed to be durable and easy to clean, this accessory is something to take a closer look at if you regularly travel with your dogs or other animals. Being that this liner is precisely fitted to conform to the interior, it should be noted that this is currently only available for the Defender 110 model as of press time. If this is relevant to your interest, Land Rover also makes a few more pet-focused accessories as well, such as a portable pet ramp.

WeatherTech Floor Mats

It might be a little cliché, but one of the first modifications many new owners of any vehicle make is to replace the factory floor mats with a set of iconic, custom-molded WeatherTech mats. Laser cut from a durable rubberized material to match the exact layout of the Defender, these floor mats make it easy to keep the interior of your car looking great. When it’s time to clean up, simply remove them, spray with a hose, and let them dry. WeatherTech incorporates lips and channels in order to keep any water or mud contained to the mats. These are available for the front and rear seats, and there’s even a custom fitted trunk liner available. WeatherTech has been around for decades; these are quality items that are made in the United States, and won’t let you down under the harshest of conditions.

Land Rover Side-Mounted Gear Carrier

Add a bit of visual flair and practicality with these OEM Land Rover accessories. Mounted to the exterior sides of the vehicle, it provides a little extra space for things you might not want to bring inside the cabin, such as beach towels or pet supplies. It’s lockable and waterproof as well, so you have nothing to worry about while you’re out and about. You can have one on each side for the most amount of storage, or you could have Gear Carrier on one side of the car, combined with the aforementioned Roof Ladder; this is part of the beauty of the new Defenders. Since these are manufacturer accessories, you can anticipate the same high level of fit and finish in these gear carriers that you are used to, and they’re designed to seamlessly blend in with the exterior styling of the vehicle.

ARB Touring Awning with Light

Add a bit of overlanding flair to your Defender with a high-quality retractable awning from ARB. Known for making bomb-proof Land Rover accessories for decades, ARB’s awning provides you with portable shade and shelter. Useful for a day at the beach or a camping trip in the forest, this awning is easy to set up and built tough to handle high winds or heavy precipitation. Once you get a taste of how handy they are, you won’t want to go anywhere without your portable awning.

Conclusion

As you can see, the new Defenders were designed keeping a strong eye on customization and personalization to suit each owner’s tastes. While a fine selection of accessories are available from the manufacturer when the car is ordered, a robust secondary market also provides a great service to those looking for a wider array of parts. As this platform ages gracefully, more accessories and creative solutions will continue to hit the market, and if we had to take a guess, this could be the most personalized Land Rover ever at the end of the day. Ultimately, no matter if you’re seeking the refinement and luxury that Land Rover is known for, or planning a trip to the Arctic Circle, the Land Rover Defender can get you there – however you want.

Photo Gallery





CategoriesNews
By

The Land Rover Defender

If you’re a car enthusiast, then you know about the Land Rover Defender 90, 110, and 130. These cars were produced from 1983 to 2016 and had a loyal following all over the world. They were known for their durability and off-road capabilities, and many people consider them to be some of the best off-road vehicles ever made.

The Land Rover Defender is a British four-wheel drive off-road vehicle developed in the 1980s from the original Land Rover Series.

The Land Rover Defender was originally conceived as a simple, rugged workhorse that could tackle any terrain. But over time, it has become much more than that. It has become an icon of British engineering and a beloved vehicle all over the world.

The Land Rover Defender is truly one of a kind, and its history is just as unique as the vehicle itself. These vehicles were known for their unrivaled off-road capability and soon became a staple of British culture. Land Rover Defenders can be seen in all corners of the world, from the African savannah to the streets of London.

Their ruggedness had earned them a reputation as being virtually indestructible, and they quickly became a favorite of farmers, explorers, and anyone who needed a reliable and tough vehicle.

The Defender Series


The Land Rover Defender 110 was the first model that was produced. It was a three-door SUV that had a wheelbase of 93 inches. The Defender 110 was the next model that was produced. It was a five-door SUV with a wheelbase of 110 inches The Defender 130 was the last model that was produced. It was a seven-door SUV with a wheelbase of 127 inches, thus originally named the Defender 127.

All three models have a four-wheel drive and a manual transmission. They were all powered by gasoline engines, but diesel engines were also available on some models.

Some noticeable upgrades distinguished the newer Defender 90 and Defender 110 models from the older Series III. The most important of them all is the coil springs upgrade which made it possible for the new models to tackle even rougher terrain. A four-wheel drive with a more powerful engine was also one of the necessary upgrades. The interior had also received a more modernized look.

These two models would form the basis of the Defender lineup for the next decade.

The 110


The Land Rover Defender 110 is a classic car that was manufactured by Land Rover from 1983 until 1997. It was a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts and farmers, and it became known for its durability and reliability.

The Land Rover Defender 110 is a classic car that is still sought after by collectors and drivers who appreciate its unique style and capabilities. If you’re lucky enough to find one for sale, be prepared to pay a premium!

The Defender 90


The Land Rover Defender 90 is a compact off-roader that was introduced in early 1984. It is based on Defender 110, which was first launched a year prior. The Defender 90 is one of the most popular models in the Land Rover range and has been produced in a number of different versions over the years.

The 1984 Defender 90 featured a 2.5-liter diesel engine that produced 68 HP.

The Defender 90 is available in a number of different body styles, including a three-door short-wheelbase version, a five-door long-wheelbase version, and a four-door station wagon. A number of special editions have been produced over the years, including the Heritage Edition, which was launched in 2012 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Land Rover Series.

Even though the Defender series was and still is beloved by the off-road crowd, it was originally marketed as a family vehicle. These older models are still sought after by collectors and drivers who appreciate their unique style and capabilities.

The Defender 130


In 1983 Land Rover introduced another wheelbase to their lineup: the 127-inch wheelbase. Land Rover unveiled the Defender 130, originally named the 110 cab-crew, a stretched version of the Defender 110 with an extra row of seats.

This model was meant to take over the work, which the 110 just couldn’t handle. It was meant to be used by utility companies and the military. The 130 at first suffered from a lack of power due to the smaller sized engines; however, since 1990, it is only available with the two highest power Land Rover engines, the 134 hp (100 kW) 3.5-litre V8 petrol and the 85 hp (63 kW) 2.5-liter turbo diesel.

Conclusion


Throughout the years, the Land Rover Defender has undergone many changes. But one thing has remained constant: its ability to tackle any terrain. The Land Rover Defender is as iconic as it is popular, with a long and rich history that has made it beloved by many.