There is nothing remotely like an original Land Rover Defender.
It was born immediately after World War II, as a British response to the Jeep spawned for the American military, and soon became a tool-of-trade in the business world and a replacement for a horse on farms.
I’ve driven plenty through the years, including the car star of the original Tomb Raider movie. It was a bit special to jump into the very same seat occupied by Angelina Jolie in her role as Lara Croft.
Then there was the time I plowed a field with a Defender and the time I wrestled the wheel in a Defender converted with giant triangular steel tracks for Sir Ranulph Fiennes to motor deeply into the Arctic.
None of those Defenders was much fun. They were most definitely not comfortable. I could barely turn the wheel in the Finnes’ explorer and even the Croft-mobile was a truck-like driving experience.
So now we fast-forward to my latest Defender experience, in a lovely new short-wheelbase funster that is everything promised – but not delivered, even considering its bargain price – by the Suzuki Jimny. The new Defender has the chunky looks of a five-year-old’s crayon drawing, looks as if it could drive anywhere, yet can still turn heads for a red-carpet arrival.
Did I mention it’s also pretty easy to park, at least compared with most of the other hulking SUVs marauding through the Bunnings carpark?
For context, the Defender name – and its boxy styling – was brought back by Land Rover to answer the call for something to fill the slow below the Range Rover and Ranger Rover Sport, which have become luxury cars wrapped in 4×5 packaging. It was also needed to recover ground lost by the latest Discovery, a one-time family start whose lacklustre looks selected reverse gear.
My first Defender time was in the UK with a five-door 110 – the numbers reflect the wheelbase, in good old British inches – including a run with a plug-in hybrid that saved me plenty at the petrol pump. I’ve also had positive experiences in and around Sydney, where any Defender politely says “Because I can”.
But this time it was the ‘shortie’, the Defender 90, with S for sports and D250 for a twin-turbo V6 diesel engine.
What’s to report? It’s luxurious, sweet to drive, economical and effective. There was no real chance for me to go seriously off-roading, but I already knew a Defender could, and would, go anywhere I want or need to drive.
After all, the numbers for the Defender 90 including a wading height of 900 millimetres, towing capacity up to 3.5 tonnes and economy of 8.1 litres/100km, a number I was able to beat on the highway without too much trouble.
The throwback bodywork is deceptive, for the Defender is totally modern. Unless you’re worried about a diesel engine …
The interior is deceptively helpful, from the grab handles to the predictable infotainment screen, and finished in lovely quality materials. Land Rover says you can take a hose to the cabin after a mud run, but perhaps avoiding the leather seats.
The ride is easily the best thing, both cushy and controlled, on any surface at any speed. It’s also quiet, the steering is not over-heavy in feel, and the performance is all you need with a claimed 8.1-second sprint to 100km/h.
Even the back seat is surprisingly roomy for adults, with good access through the long front doors.
Can you see the ‘but’ coming? But the luggage space is miserable,and almost ensures you must carry stuff in the people space in the back. And a Defender can quickly get costly, as a base price of $91,317 for my test drive exploded to $121,587 with extras including 19-inch alloys, air suspension, a heated steering wheel and a ‘capability pack’ which improves the electronics for off-roading.
But would you? Of course you would.
LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90
Price: From $91,317
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo petrol six; 183kW/570Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Safety: Not rated by ANCAP
Economy: 8.1 litres/100km
The tick: Definitely