2023 Land Rover Defender S
White 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 S 4WD 8-Speed Automatic 3.0L I6May be subject to reconditioning/ dealer fees.
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Editor's notes
The Land Rover Defender recently returned to the U.S. market as an all-new model after a long hiatus. The Defender retains its reputation as an exceptional off-road SUV while being a thoroughly modern and high-tech midsize luxury SUV. One of our only complaints is its unimpressive fuel economy rating.
With three body styles, three engine choices, and several trims and option packages available, the Defender is a highly customizable SUV. Land Rover lets you option your Defender precisely to your liking and prioritize luxury, off-road capability, or any combination you’d like of the two natures of the Defender.
The Land Rover Defender has few direct rivals. You could say it competes with the other big names in off-road royalty: the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco. However, the Defender is bigger, more luxurious, and more expensive than those SUVs. The closest competitor to the Defender in the world of luxury SUVs outside of Land Rover’s own lineup would be the Lexus GX, which is a robust off-roader, but it’s very dated.
The big news for 2023 is the late-summer arrival of the new Defender 130, with a body extended in length by 13.4 inches. This adds to the vehicle’s load capacity and makes for three rows of adult-size seating in a 2/3/3 configuration.
Available as an S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X, or First Edition model, the new Defender 130 is powered by a turbocharged 296-horsepower mild-hybrid inline-6 or another 3.0-liter 6-cylinder that puts out 395 horsepower. While we expected the new 130 to be equipped with a V8, both available 6-cylinder engines produce good torque at low rpm.
Pros
- Outstanding off-road capabilities
- Roomy seating
- Tons of cargo space in 4-door model
Cons
- Poor fuel economy
- Some sub-par interior materials
- Land Rover reliability