The Land Rover Defender County Edition: Perfect for the Countryside, Challenging in the City

When a vehicle with a locker lands in my driveway, my first instinct is to take it deep into the woods. After all, anything with 4×4 should be tested off-road, right? However, a realistic look at SUV buyers’ habits reveals a different story. Most SUV shoppers, especially in the luxury segment, rarely use their vehicle’s rock-crawling capabilities. Instead, day-to-day practicality often takes precedence over off-road prowess.

With this in mind, I put the Land Rover Defender 110 S to the test in a suburban setting. I used it for grocery shopping, chauffeuring friends, navigating traffic jams, and handling potholes in the industrial district. After a week with the Defender, I began to understand the appeal of this posh SUV, though it does have its downsides.

Quick Specs: 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 S

Engine: Turbocharged 3.0-Liter I-6 Hybrid
Output: 395 Horsepower / 405 Pound-Feet
Efficiency: 17 City / 20 Highway / 18 Combined
Base Price: $67,900 + $1,475 Destination
On-Sale Date: Now

The Defender 110 S is exceptional off-road. My test vehicle, equipped with the Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack ($750), Off-Road Pack ($1,550), and Air Suspension Pack ($1,500), boasts 11.5 inches of ground clearance, a 38.0-degree approach angle, and a wading depth of 35.5 inches. These specs rival those of a four-door Jeep Wrangler or an Ineos Grenadier. Despite its unibody construction, the Defender can accommodate a 10,000-pound winch in its front bumper. Off-road, this SUV is virtually unmatched, which is expected given its as-tested price of $81,103.

However, my week was spent playing housewife, running errands, and entertaining guests. For these tasks, rock-crawling capabilities were irrelevant. What mattered was how the Defender handled everyday drives to places like WinCo.

On the road, the Defender’s unibody construction contributes to a car-like feel. The steering is sharp despite the all-terrain tires, and there’s minimal vibration over bumps. The interior remains quiet even on rough highways. However, the air suspension is a bit firm in road mode. While it avoids the reverberation typical of body-on-frame vehicles, the ride can be jarring over rough roads.

The Defender’s cabin is luxurious and comfortable. The County package features durable, hard-wearing materials on high-wear areas and enough soft touchpoints to maintain a premium feel. It doesn’t feel like it’s pretending to be durable; it genuinely is, without feeling cheap or plasticky.

The seats are comfortable with easy-to-clean leather and powered adjustment switches. The electric tilt-telescope steering wheel helps drivers find an ergonomic, upright position, and visibility is excellent thanks to the forward-set windshield, squared-off mirrors, and low beltline. Rear passengers found the second-row bench seat roomy and comfortable, even when seated three-abreast.

Cargo space is also impressive. The Defender 110’s 34.0 cubic feet of cargo space easily accommodated boxes of books for a signing event, thanks to the squared-off, easily loadable area and wide cargo door. The trunk-positioned air suspension height adjustment button was particularly useful for loading heavy boxes.

However, the side-hinged trunk door posed challenges. It made airport pickups cumbersome, as there wasn’t enough space for my friends to walk around the back with other cars behind us. This design flaw persisted in daily use since the rear glass doesn’t open.

The 11.4-inch center screen is user-friendly, with straightforward navigation through features and drive modes. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the physical buttons are a welcome addition, they are frustrating in practice. Adjusting seat heaters or fan speeds often required multiple interactions, diverting attention from the road. The 400-watt 10-speaker Meridian sound system was also underwhelming for an $80,000 vehicle.

Running costs are high, even with the mild-hybrid 3.0-liter turbocharged/electrically-supercharged straight-six engine. Despite careful driving, I averaged only 15 mpg, well below the rated 17 city and 20 highway. The hybrid powertrain is responsive and quick, with the eight-speed automatic delivering smooth torque, but fuel efficiency is a significant drawback.

The Defender County pack adds special graphics, steelie-style 20-inch alloys, two-tone paint, a rear-mounted spare, and rugged interior trim, enhancing its trail-ready appearance and overall handsomeness.

If I had taken the Defender off-road, it would have excelled. However, for everyday suburban tasks, I found it lacked practicality. The Land Rover Defender 110 S shines off the beaten path but falls short in the urban jungle.