Land Rover Defender 90 Review 2024

Land Rover Defender 90 At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Land Rover Defender 90 is an impressive machine both on and off-road, although its dimensions obviously make it less practical as a family car than the larger versions.

+Civilised on-road. Unstoppable off-road. Retains luxurious feel.

-Reduced interior space. Still expensive. Relatively thirsty.

Replacing the original Land Rover Defender was possibly the most difficult job in the motoring world, but by most measures the new model delivered when the current generation was introduced in 2020. Tasked with delivering peerless ability off-road, its rivals include the Jeep Wrangler and fashionable Mercedes G-Class. Read our full Land Rover Defender 90 review to find out why the British 4x4 is a worthy contender.

The clean-sheet design is modern while still being unmistakably a Land Rover Defender, and it manages to balance looking suitably rugged with the presence and premium style that buyers expect from a vehicle with a list price starting with a five.

Just as with the original, the new Land Rover Defender represents the most extreme off-road oriented model in the range, particularly so in 90 form, where its shorter wheelbase compared to the 110 and 130 versions brings extra agility in tricky situations.

As well as the four-wheel-drive hardware and long-travel suspension required for off-road driving, the Land Rover Defender is also packed with technology designed to support the driver, including the Terrain Response system which juggles the settings for the engine, traction control and gearbox to suit the conditions.

Engine options for the Defender 90 are the D250 and D300 diesels, which use the same 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine with mild hybrid technology to offer 250PS and 300PS respectively, as well as the P300 and P400 petrols with 300PS and 400PS.

At the top of the range, there is also the Land Rover Defender V8 with 525PS from its 5.0-litre petrol engine. But with a starting price over £100,000, this is more of a niche choice. All versions are fitted with the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

Although a modern interpretation of the original Land Rover Defender, the way the car behaves on road is very much in line with the rest of the company’s range of vehicles. The view out is excellent thanks to the high driving position and technology like the ClearSight Ground View system, which allows you to ‘see through’ the bonnet. 

The squared-off design makes it easy to place on the road, too, but more importantly it steers accurately and easily, while the suspension is calm and controlled, a world away from the vague steering and listing suspension of the old version. It also offers a high level of refinement, with little engine noise and just a bit of wind noise at faster speeds.

The engine and gearbox match-up is also impressive, particularly in the six-cylinder versions. While not necessarily fast, with strong torque from low engine speeds it always feels quick enough, with the promise of good towing ability, too.

On top of the substantial asking price, Land Rover is also happy to sell you a multitude of accessories to personalise your Land Rover Defender for whatever adventures you plan, which will likely appeal to anyone choosing it over the more refined and spacious Land Rover Discovery.

The Land Rover Defender 90 is the least versatile version in the range thanks to its reduced interior space, which would make the Land Rover Defender 110 or even larger Land Rover Defender 130 versions a better bet for many owners. However, the Land Rover Defender 90 still holds a lot of appeal thanks to its remarkable ability in all driving conditions.

Ask Honest John

Can you recommend a plug-in hybrid 4x4?

"I am looking to buy a new car (nearly new/used probably) but have quite a few criteria and despite spending some time looking on the internet have not had much luck in finding what I'm looking for! I used to drive Suzuki Grand Vitaras which I absolutely loved, especially the high driving position and chunky style. I then decided to go from a manual to automatic (to help my knee) and that's where the trouble started! I have wasted money trying to find a car I love as much as the older GV (I really want to have the higher traditional 4x4 type). My criteria is: Plug-in hybrid; 4x4 - 4 wheel drive with 2 wheel drive option; higher, traditional 'chunky' style 4x4 like my old Vitaras without being the size of a tank; automatic gear box; 1.4 engine size or above; smaller rather than family-size; and mileage - less than 20,000."
The Land Rover Defender 90 is available as a plug-in hybrid, has a high driving position, automatic gearbox, a 2.0-litre engine and is relatively small. That said, they're expensive and have permanent four-wheel drive. Cheaper options don't have some of the kit you have requested, but if you can live without the car being a plug-in hybrid, the Suzuki Jimny sounds like it would be ideal. It has an old-school SUV design so it feels – and genuinely is – rugged, has a high driving position, switchable four-wheel drive, is available as an auto and has a 1.5-litre engine.
Answered by Russell Campbell

Which SUV or small estate should I buy?

"I'm looking to buy a new SUV or small estate that has a flat boot without a lip, with fold-flat rear seats, preferably not a hatchback i.e. the rear door opens like the other car doors. Is there a car like that out there? "
The MINI Clubman is worth a look: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/clubman-2015/ The old Suzuki Grand Vitara may also fit the bill: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/suzuki/grand-vitara-lwb-2005/ Or the new Land Rover Defender 90: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/land-rover/defender-2020/
Answered by Russell Campbell

Is it a bad idea to buy a new diesel car?

"I need a 4x4 to tow 3.5 tonnes. I'm looking to buy a new Land Rover Defender 90, which is diesel. With current emission targets, would it be a really bad idea to buy a pure diesel now if they are going to stop selling them in 2030? I expect to own it for a good few years."
Not at all. Diesels still make a lot of sense for some buyers – if you're looking to tow 3.5 tonnes, for example.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Will the Land Rover Defender be offered as a hybrid in future?

"Do you know if Land Rover are planning hybrid versions of the Defender or Discovery?"
Yes, there's a plug-in hybrid Defender due in 2021. It's likely to be badged the P400e and will probably use the same 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor combination as the Range Rover PHEV. The Discovery is due to be facelifted next year and it's likely that will be offered with the same plug-in hybrid setup, too. If you'd rather not charge your car, both are expected to be offered with mild-hybrid setups, although Land Rover isn't likely to go down the conventional 'self-charging' hybrid route.
Answered by Andrew Brady
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