Land Rovers are famous for their off-road prowess. From being the go-to vehicle of African Safari Rangers to serving in the British Royal Army and becoming rugged icons in cross-continental rallies, Land Rovers have always meant business. But while the British automaker's most popular offerings nowadays are more about pomp than romp, the 2021 Defender is here to shake things up a bit. Or, a lot.
Unlike the Range Rover, which essentially became a pop icon in the early 2000s thanks to the Kardashians and David Beckham, the Defender identifies more with the likes of the adventurous Steve Irwin or young Queen Elizabeth. In other words, it would rather get dirty out in the field than look pretty outside City of Dreams.
Land Rover was simply responding to the market with the all-new luxurious Defender you see here. This year, the new two-door Defender 90 joins the four-door Defender 110 in showrooms.
Exterior:
To my eyes, the smaller Defender 90 rights many of the wrongs with the 110′s design. The two-door doesn’t have the strange-looking panel blocking much of its rear side windows; instead, there’s simply a long slab of glass. The short wheelbase and tall height make the 90 stand out. If a British bulldog were a car, this would be it.
While some may still see the new Defender’s exterior design as a pale imitation of its predecessor, the interior is undeniably original. Have I mentioned the colour of the car?? IT’S ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! In this colour combination it’s an attention seeker as I’ve got many thumbs up and photos from people outside. The cabin’s deconstructed style puts some of the car’s underlying architecture on display, exposing metal screws and a large powder-coated magnesium beam that is actually a structural element. In front of the beam is a shelf, useful for storing keys or phones, which runs the width of the cabin. It strikes a fine balance between luxury and utility.
Interior:
Jumping up into the high driver’s seat and sitting inside the big metal cube that is the Defender 90 is like putting on a pair of hiking boots; don’t be surprised if you begin to feel more adventurous. The Defender 90’s interior is the same experience up-front as you’ll get in the 110. There’s plenty of storage on offer, and the choice of materials seem both hard-wearing and a little bit unique.
The front passenger grab-handle is wrapped in a neoprene style material, and the metal back plate on the dashboard is a genuine structural piece. On each side of the 10-inch infotainment display is loads of storage, plus a USB power outlet. Further down, below your collection of buttons and dials for air conditioning and driving modes, you’ll see additional power outlets: 12-volt, USB-A and USB-C.
The second row is surprisingly quite usable, comfortable and spacious. Adults can look over the headrests in front to see what’s going on, thanks to the raised seating position. Legroom and headroom is in decent supply, also. There are floor mounted cupholders, along with a couple of storage nooks. Back windows don’t open, but they are big and allow even more visibility from the second row. Plus, the alpine windows above let in additional natural light. While the seating capacity is five in total, three adults in the back would be a tight squeeze. But four adults would be plenty comfortable, provided they aren’t outrageously tall.
Engine and Performance:
Fitted with a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel, the Defender 90 comes with 240 HP and 430 Nm of torque. Doesn’t sound much, but it’s more than enough. It’s never left feeling slow or doughy. The torque, available just above idle, is exactly where you want for smooth and effortless acceleration, and wafting around town.
The 8-speed automatic gearbox is responsive when it needs to be, and is smooth to boot. So when you want faster acceleration, this least powerful variant doesn't feel slouchy. There is some wind noise apparent in the Defender at highway speeds, owing to the boxy shape and flat windscreen. It’s not bad, and is probably only noticeable because the rest of the car is so quiet.
Safety & Technology:
Something the old Defender had just about nothing of – aside from seatbelts – was safety equipment. This has naturally changed with this new generation Defender, and has enabled it to garner a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2020.
Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, forward traffic detection, clear exit monitor, lane keep assist, 360-degree camera, rear collision monitor, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and driver condition monitor.
Other technology, like keyless entry and push-button start, LED headlights, rubber flooring, two-zone climate control and a 12V outlet in the boot all help boost standard configuration.
Verdict:
Short wheelbase characteristics add an extra dollop of charm and aesthetic appeal, on top of the already enticing Defender range. And although it still remains capable of towing and off-roading, the Defender 90 will no doubt be a popular choice in urban areas. Owners of Land Rover Defenders aren’t like those of normal cars. The attachment to this boxy, rattling, virtually indestructible motor runs much deeper.
It’s fun and unique, two elements that are often in short supply in most new cars. To me, the best way of describing it would be “honest”. It doesn’t mind a few dents and scratches, and just does what it does. The second row isn’t useless, and neither is the boot. This means you can get away with using the 90 on daily duties, provided you’re not catering to a throng of kids and friends.
My time with the Defender 90 was short lived, but I loved every second of it. So as I got the call from All British Cars Inc. (official distributor of Jaguar / Land Rover) to have a go in the 90, I hastily got up and spared no time to plan a trip in the Defender 90. Going on forrest trails, beaches and even climbing up muddy streams of an old river bed; the Defender just glides along all those obstacles with ease and poise.
As I’ve said in my previous drive with the big brother 110, I’ve been eager to drive the new Defender and it does not disappoint. No words can express how deeply infatuated I am with the new Defenders and having driven both of them now just simply gives me that sense of accomplishment.
Dare I say it, the all-new Defender, either 90 or 110 platform, is simply the best car ever! The Defender is capable of leaving you in tears, so you might just have to be brazen and intrepid during the dark hours of a crisis. That being said, once you've made the necessary effort of getting used to it’s quirks, it's bound to be a most fruitful experience, and trust me, you will have gained a faithful companion for the rest of your life. There’s nothing else really on the road like it. Thank you Land Rover Philippines.
Price List:
Urban ₱5.69 Million
Adventure ₱5.82 Million
Country ₱5.74 Million
Explorer ₱5.99 Million
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