2023 Land Rover Defender Review: New Three-Row Option Completes The Range

It has serious off-road chops, is dressed to recall its classic forebears, and can be as plush or as simple as you wish. This combination resonates with buyers and has turned the new-generation Land Rover Defender SUV into a worldwide sales hit. First launched in the USA for the 2020 model year, more Defender models followed. The range expansion continues for 2023, with the arrival of a third body style named the 130. Its extra length is the result of a much longer rear overhang, which enables Land Rover to fit third-row seating; however, the new 2023 Defender 130 is nearly as capable off-road as its siblings.

Engine options range from a 2.0-liter twin-turbo gas engine to a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six mild hybrid gas unit, capped by the 5.0-liter supercharged V8. All Defenders feature full-time all-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range. Competitors to the 2023 Land Rover Defender include the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Lexus GX. The Defender is by far the most sophisticated of this group because it's derived from the D7 platform upon which the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport are built. As we found in our Land Rover Defender test review, this gives the Defender on-road manners few would expect from such an off-road-biased vehicle.

What's the Price of the 2023 Land Rover Defender?

In the USA, the 2023 Land Rover Defender has a starting price of $53,500 for the base Defender 110, the only body available in the base configuration. Following this is the 110 S at $58,300, the 110 SE at $69,300, the 110 X-Dynamic SE at $72,300, and the 110 X at $90,900. The 110 V8 costs $111,300 and the V8 Carpathian Edition $118,400. The smaller 90 does not come in a base configuration and the entry-level model is the 90 S at $55,100, increasing to $66,100 for the 90 SE, $69,100 for the 90 X-Dynamic SE, $80,400 for the 90 X, $107,900 for the 90 V8, and $115,000 for the 90 V8 Carpathian Edition.

The new 130 body starts at $68,000 for the 130 S, increasing to $78,300 for the 130 SE, $81,400 for the 130 X-Dynamic SE, $84,700 for the 130 First Edition, and $99,900 for the 130 X, which is the top model, as the 130 is not available with a V8 engine. All prices exclude a delivery charge of $1,475. The Land Rover Defender can cost over $130,000 for the 110 V8 Carpathian Edition with most of the option boxes ticked.

2023 Defender Exterior

Dimensions

2023 Defender Performance

2023 Land Rover Defender Handling and Driving Impressions

Logic dictates that a tall vehicle like the Land Rover Defender would be hopeless around corners, but this is not the case here. Cornering is secure with surprisingly little body roll, although there's no disguising the Defender's heft when the road turns twisty - even in basic three-door 90 form with the smallest engine, it has a curb weight of over 4,500 lbs. Due to the Defender's high center of gravity, grip levels are moderate even on performance tires, with the stability control cutting in early to induce moderate understeer rather than allowing the car to become unstable. But, up until those limits, the steering is responsive and accurate, with good weighting and some communication from the front tires to the driver.

As for performance, while the base 2.0-liter engine in the P300 variants gets the job done, the inline six is the one you want, and the V8 exists mainly for performance freaks with deep pockets. The base powertrain delivers 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which translates to a 0-60 mph dash in around 7.2 seconds. Stepping up to the mild-hybrid P400, the outputs rise to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft and the 0-60 mph dash drops to about 6.1 seconds, while the supercharged V8 cuts that to around five seconds. They're all pretty quick, but they're also all rather thirsty, with the V8 drinking by far the most with a combined figure of around 16 mpg.

2023 Defender Interior

2023 Defender Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is The 2023 Land Rover Defender A Good SUV?

The Land Rover Defender is one of the best genuinely off-road-capable vehicles on the market today. Its combination of charming styling and modern tech makes it a great all-rounder SUV, with off-roading ability right at the top of its segment but without the on-road negatives incurred by its competitors. It's also high-tech inside and out, and there are lots of (expensive) options to choose from if you want to personalize one to your taste.

There are some things to note, though: The 90 body is cute and stubby, but has handling and practicality downsides due to its short wheelbase. While 90 and 110 offer identical and generous cabin space, getting into the back of a 90 is inconvenient due to its two-door configuration, and its cargo volume is insufficient to carry all those passengers' chattel. The 130 is much better in this regard, but its third row is quite cramped. The best pick in the range features a 110 body with an inline-six engine, giving the best compromise between practicality, maneuverability, performance, and relative fuel efficiency.

What 2023 Land Rover Defender Model Should I Buy?

It may sound cliched, but the vast number of configurations and customizations in the Defender order guide means there really is a Defender for everyone. However, we'd recommend keeping things simple when ordering. Most buyers will be happy with a Defender 110 SE, which pairs the 5+2 seating practicality with the P400-spec six-cylinder engine, air suspension, and a few other items for around $75,000 inclusive of destination. However, for the hardcore adventurers, the couples without kids, or the lone ranger who wants to go on a real adventure, the 90 X is an expensive, but incredibly cool way to charge headlong into the unknown. To embrace the original Defender experience, particularly for those without dependents to worry about, a 90 S with the $4,800 Explorer Pack is the ideal way to enjoy the core essence of the Defender nameplate. If maximum passenger space is a priority, nothing can beat the new 130, which can seat up to eight people.