2024 Land Rover Defender Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Defender combines an old-school, boxy profile with features, like the angular headlights, that visually connect it to more modern Land Rover vehicles. The visual connection to other models is less apparent in the cabin, where the Defender looks and feels far more durable and adventure-ready than other Land Rovers. The Defender’s interior has more in common with that of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, albeit with more soft-touch materials.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender is offered in three body styles: the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-wheelbase four-door 130. Each is offered in a number of trims, including S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, and the Outbound.

We drove the Defender 110 S, which is the most popular configuration. Note our test vehicle came in U.S. specification with a visual package that isn’t sold in this exact configuration in Canada, though most items are offered as standalone accessories.

Standard features on the S trim include 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic glass roof, and a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel. It also comes standard with remote keyless entry, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian sound system. Premium Windsor leather upholstery can be added for $2,640. Other standalone options include tri-zone automatic climate control, heated rear seats, an air purification system, a centre jump seat for the first row, and even a power-retractable cloth roof option.

The X-Dynamic SE trim comes with 20-inch alloy wheels and includes distinctive exterior and interior styling touches. Upgrading to the X trim adds 22-inch wheels, a digital rearview mirror camera and partial Windsor leather upholstery. The V8 trim combines leather and microsuede upholstery. A centre console refrigerator is available, which can come in handy when keeping beverages cool on long road trips or a day at the beach.

Lastly, the Outbound trim (offered in Canada only with the Defender 130) has many of the X-Dynamic SE’s features but removes the third row to provide added cargo space, making it ideal for those needing extra room for their gear.

There are several powertrains offered in the 2024 Land Rover Defender, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300 that makes 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured the mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, putting out 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

There are two supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine options, dubbed P500 and P525. The former makes 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The latter makes 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines route power through an eight-speed automatic to full-time active four-wheel drive (4WD). When properly equipped, the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powertrains allow the Defender to tow up to 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds). The four-cylinder version can tow up to 2,500 kilograms (5,500 pounds). The surround camera system and advanced tow assist both aid in taking some of the hassle out of towing.

The most powerful V8 motivates the SUV from zero to 96 km/h in 5.1 seconds, which is impressive for a vehicle its size. But it’s what the Defender can do at lower speeds that really impresses. The SUV has incredible off-road chops, especially models such as the Defender X, which includes an adaptive air suspension system and the Terrain Response 2 system terrain management system. It also comes with an electronic differential and all-terrain progress control, which is like cruise control for the trail. These features and systems are options on other trims.

Our P400 test model and its turbocharged inline-six had plenty of power for getting up to highway speeds and making passing maneuvers. There is a bit of a lurch off the line from a stop and a similar lurch as you decelerate below 25 km/h. This could be due to the off-road-optimized gearing, but overall, the on-road ride was pleasant and the body roll was not too pronounced, especially given how capable the vehicle is.

The Defender strikes an ideal blend of luxury and functionality, offering plenty of soft-touch materials alongside practical features such as grip handles, rubberized floors, and numerous cargo compartments. It creates a versatile and comfortable platform suitable for both urban driving and rugged adventures. However, the multifunctional climate control dials were a minor drawback, requiring an additional button press to switch between adjusting the temperature and fan speed. The grip shifter is efficient, and the seats provide an upright and supportive feel, enhancing the overall driving experience.

Seating capacity ranges between five and eight passengers depending on the configuration and body style. The Defender 110 has an optional third row with two seats that are best suited for children. The Defender 130 has three seats in the third row, bringing the seating capacity up to eight, but it’s still limited in terms of space. While the second row does slide forward to allow for more legroom, it is still not the full three rows of adult-friendly seating that you’d get from a Chevrolet Suburban. If you want a more accommodating three-row SUV in the Land Rover family, check out the extended-wheelbase version of the Range Rover. It has more legroom and shoulder room.

Cargo capacity depends on the model selected. The Defender 130, the most spacious model, offers 433 litres behind the third row, 1,013 litres behind the second row, and 2,155 litres with all rear seats folded.

With the Defender 110, the two-row version offers 962 litres behind the second row and 2,231 litres behind the first row. In the three-row configuration, it has 303 litres behind the third row, 979 lkitres behind the second row, and 1,953 litres with both rows folded down.

The two-door Defender 90 provides 441 litres of space behind the second row and up to 1,650 litres with the rear seats folded down. In our test model, the cargo area featured hard plastic surfaces on the floor and seat backs, making it practical and easy to clean.

The Defender comes equipped with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. It’s a bit crazy that, in 2024, this touchscreen seems small compared to other systems available in competing SUVs. It’s refreshingly simple and plays into the Defender’s utilitarian persona. This screen comes standard with navigation as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Defender also comes equipped with Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system.

Thanks to this straightforward setup, the interior is a fantastic blend of refinement and utility. For anyone who is overwhelmed by massive modern touchscreens, the touchscreen is perfectly sized, giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t. This layout is aided by home buttons on the left and right rails that allow you to get in and out of features like Apple CarPlay easily.

The Defender comes with an extensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other standard safety tech includes traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system.

The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist intervention are both a little too touchy. The Defender wants to drag toward off-ramps and interferes when you are just trying to drive past certain obstacles. These features can be deactivated with the push of a button, but it’s certainly jarring the first time you encounter it.

As of this writing, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has crash-tested the 2024 Defender. This is not uncommon with expensive vehicles, and it is not on its own any cause for alarm.

The most efficient configuration of the Defender is the 90 with the mild-hybrid six-cylinder, returning fuel economy of 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 10.8 on the highway, and 12.0 combined. The base four-cylinder in the 90 returns 13.1 L/100 km city, 11.4 highway, and 12.3 combined. Our 110 with the six-cylinder returns 13.8 city, 11.6 highway, and 12.8 combined. In our week of combined city and highway driving, we observed a combined average fuel economy of 17.3 L/100 km.

The least efficient version of the Defender is the 110 equipped with the more powerful V8. It returns 16.4 city, 12.7 highway, 14.7 combined. All engine options require premium fuel.

Base MSRP for the 2024 Land Rover Defender is $77,650 for the two-door Defender 90, including $4,950 in destination charges and additional fees. The four-door Defender 110 starts at $79,250 and the extended-wheelbase Defender 130 starts at $88,700. From there you can build out your preferred version in myriad trims and packages. Note that higher-priced models can easily climb above $100,000 and into luxury tax territory. The Defender is backed by a 4-year/80,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender stands as a testament to the brand's legacy of off-road prowess and luxury. With its rugged design and cutting-edge technology, the Defender is engineered to excel in the harshest terrains while offering a comfortable and refined ride for the daily commute. The Defender boasts a luxurious yet useful interior replete with high-quality materials and tech that has a short learning curve.

However, the Defender is not without its drawbacks. Its premium price tag positions it at the higher end of the SUV market, and its fuel economy might not appeal to those looking for efficiency in their daily drives—especially with so many hybrid, electric, and plug-in hybrid powertrain options today. The Defender’s large size and durable running gear, while beneficial for off-road excursions, can make urban maneuvering a challenge. Despite these setbacks, the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 remains a compelling choice for those seeking a vehicle that brings together rugged capability with sophisticated luxury.

Note: Images show a US model.