Can an extra-long, diesel 4×4 like the Land Rover Defender 130 justify a place in daily motoring life in 2024? That’s the question Autocar aims to answer as they welcome the Defender 130 to their long-term fleet. The Defender 130 is the longest variant of Land Rover’s rugged 4×4, measuring 5099mm long without a spare wheel and 5358mm long with it. It shares the same 3022mm wheelbase as the Defender 110 but has an additional 340mm added behind the back axle. This extra length allows for a third row of seats, making it the only Defender variant with this option.
The Land Rover Defender 130 that arrived at Autocar is pre-specced in Outbound trim, featuring a 3.0-liter six-cylinder twin-turbo mild-hybrid diesel engine producing 296bhp. The Outbound trim is one of the more lifestyle-oriented variants of the Defender, offering added gloss black wheels, mats, extended rubber flooring inside, a body-colored exterior panel, and a powder-coated cross-car beam. The Outbound model prioritizes load bay capacity over passenger carrying, offering 400 liters of room behind the third row of seats and up to 2516 liters with the back seats folded.
The Defender 130 in Autocar’s fleet comes with several optional features, including upgraded leather seats, an interior upgrade, a towing pack, an electronic active rear differential, and more. These options add up to £16,355, bringing the total price to £96,745. While the price may seem high, it’s worth noting that the Defender has become a luxury car and can be heavily optioned, with some variants reaching close to £140,000.
During the initial miles with the Defender 130, Autocar has been using it as a daily wagon. Despite its size and weight, the Defender 130 proves to be a comfortable motorway car with great visibility, big comfortable seats, and exceptional stability and isolation. It even returns an impressive 40mpg on a long cruise, showcasing its efficiency. The Defender’s off-road capabilities will be put to the test in the coming weeks as Autocar explores its niche features and overall performance.
In a second opinion, Autocar’s Mark Tisshaw mentions a previously run Land Rover Defender 90 that was well-specced and memorable. The larger boot of the Defender 130 addresses one of the 90’s weaknesses, making Tisshaw curious to see if it retains the same charm.
As Autocar continues their long-term test of the Land Rover Defender 130, readers can expect further insights into its performance, features, and overall suitability for daily motoring in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates from Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, Matt Prior, as he shares his experiences with the Defender 130.
