Land Rover makes no secret that the new-generation Defender’s aimed more at “lifestyle” buyers than true 4x4 enthusiasts who have mud-splattered beards, but a jaunt through a 4x4 course at Gerotek showed that this modern SUV hasn’t lost its progenitor’s off-roading skills.
The reborn icon may have exchanged time-honoured live axles in favour of independent suspension, but the impressive 500mm of axle articulation was enough to keep all four wheels on the ground most of the time in the deeply rutted turf we drove.
Permanent all-wheel drive combines with traction control to always send power where it’s needed. When a tyre lost traction in an axle-twisting situation, drive was briskly transferred to the wheels still in contact with terra firma to keep momentum going.
With the air suspension raised to its maximum height, the towering 291mm ground clearance kept the vehicle’s belly and bumpers out of harm’s way while clambering steep dongas. Our test didn’t include a river crossing but the Defender should prove difficult to drown with its impressive 900mm wading depth.
Selecting different off-road modes has become a slick affair compared to manhandling a gear lever in the original Defender’s transfer case. Twirling a dial in the Terrain Response system selects modes like Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock Crawl, with the drivetrain automatically selecting the appropriate settings.
A clever piece of hi-tech in the digitised new Defender is a live video feed on the infotainment screen showing the area obscured by the bonnet so you don’t have to drive blindly over steep crests, and there’s also a rear camera. This ClearSight Ground View system also shows where the front wheels are pointing, which one can sometimes lose track of especially in mud.
Kudos also to the Defender’s excellent ride quality, with the air suspension providing soothingly wafting progress over rough dirt or tar. The upshot of this plushness is a vehicle that feels somewhat spongy in the corners and this hefty 2.3-tonner is no sports SUV, but it isn’t top-heavy in a way that makes you want to tiptoe through turns either, and the traction is very good.
The new Defender’s a clean-sheet remake from its ancient predecessor, with a unibody design replacing the old body-on-frame architecture, and featuring a modern, highly-digitised cabin.
But Land Rover’s stylists have done a good job of channelling the old car’s boxy zeitgeist, and its chunky lines radiate robustness.
The rugged adventure look continues inside, where the digital dazzle is offset by robust trimmings, sturdy hand holds, thick rubber mats and exposed screw heads. The cabin has an industrial-strength vibe, like it doesn't need to be treated with kid gloves. The Defender 110 is also exceptionally roomy, with stretch-out space for four or five people, and a large boot.
Under the tough-guy exterior is a refined driving experience, with its hushed progress only disrupted by some wind noise from the optionally-fitted roof rack. The diesel engine is well muted too, and while it’s no super performer it’s gutsy enough to shift this big SUV around at a fair lick once the revs rise. A broad spread of midrange torque keeps it in a happy cruising zone, though at Gauteng altitude there is turbo lag that makes for lazy off-the-line sprints and muzzles the ability to steal quick gaps in traffic. The diesel model's pronounced turbo lag would make me seriously consider the petrol version, in spite of the fuel economy disadvantage.
As for parking gaps, it’s a nervous exercise to squeeze this big tank into bays, even with the assistance of the fitted parking cameras and warning beeps.
The test vehicle’s fuel consumption never got close to the promised 7.7l/100km, but the 11.3l it achieved wasn’t unduly thirsty for such a large vehicle.
The Defender’s personalisable with a raft of extra-cost accessories, and some of those fitted to the test vehicle included a sliding panoramic roof, electrically deployable towbar, a satin protective film and an advanced off-road pack.
Is this newcomer a defender of the faith, then?
Much has been said about how “real” the new Defender is, given that it’s a completely reinvented luxury vehicle that happens to look a bit like the old one — a different approach to the rival Jeep Wrangler which has become modernised while staying more true to its utalitarian origins.
Nostalgic Land Rover acolytes might accuse the Defender of selling out by becoming so hi-tech and digitised, and that it’s strayed too far from its rough 'n tumble roots. These people might find a better fit in the new Ineos Grenadier which is being launched as a more “genuine” follow-up to the original Land Rover.
Whatever the argument about its authenticity, the new Defender is a very capable, comfortable and likeable all-terrain SUV. Maybe you can’t fix it with bloudraad and duct tape under a tree in the Kalahari anymore, but it retains the styling flavour and go-anywhere adventure ability — if not necessarily the soul — of the original.
Tech Specs
ENGINE
Type: Four-cylinder diesel turbo
Capacity: 1,999cc
Power: 177kW
Torque: 439Nm
TRANSMISSION
Type: Eight-speed auto
DRIVETRAIN
Type: All-wheel drive
PERFORMANCE
Top speed: 188km/h
0-100km/h: 9.1 seconds
Fuel Consumption: 7.7l/100km (claimed); 11.3l /100km (as tested)
Emissions: 204g/km
STANDARD FEATURES
Semi-powered front seats, electronic air suspension, 291mm ground clearance, hill descent control, stability control, six airbags, parking assist camera, 3D surround camera, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, auto high beam assist, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, lane-keep assist, touchscreen infotainment system, navigation, voice control, electric windows
Warranty: Five years/100,000km
Service plan: Five years/100,000km
Price: R1,111,142
Lease*: R23,703
* at 10% interest over 60 months no deposit
COMPETITION
Land Rover Discovery S Sd4, 177kW/430Nm — R1,090,074
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 3.0 DT VX, 120kW/400Nm — R1,032,100
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 4.5 D-4D V8 GX-R, 195kW/650Nm — R1,107,900
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 3.6 Rubicon, 209kW/347Nm — R919,719
Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 D-ID GLS Exceed, 140kW/441Nm — R819,995
Land Rover Defender 110 D240 S
WE LIKE:
Offroad ability, smooth ride, retro-modern styling
WE DISLIKE:
Turbo lag, parking it
VERDICT:
A Discovery in drag
MOTOR NEWS
star rating
*****Design
****Performance
***Economy
*****Safety
****Value For Money
****Overall
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