Defender 90 – Over the years there have been a number of three door 4WD vehicles, some have been successful, some have faded from the memory almost as quickly as they came.
I’ve owned a few and driven almost all of them. Toyota have had a few with the Bunderra, Prado and you could almost call the FJ Cruiser one. Jeep obviously has the Wrangler, Suzuki the older Vitara and the Jimny, Mitsubishi had a three door Pajero, Daihatsu Feroza and the list goes on.
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My mind went into memory mode when I recently drove a Defender 90 series. It’s the short wheelbase model, three doors and ours had a soft roof as well.
Let me say straight up that I think the Defender 90 series is a cool car. It has a certain panache about it that’s hard to describe but immediately obvious when you see it and feel it once you sit in it.
Everything about the 90 series is about the front two seats, as the rear ones are best left for acrobatic contortionists to try to get into.
However the front occupants are extremely well catered for. It has all the design and style of its larger sibling with better off road capability and almost no change to the on road ride and dynamics.
There are a range of models and engine options from a 3.0L inline six diesel through to a supercharged 5.0L V8 petrol. Pricing is from around $78,000 through to $215,000 plus the usual costs.
If cool is your thing and you happen to like being adventurous as well then the Defender 90 series should be at the top of your list.
This is a Motoring Minute
Im Rob Fraser
What is good? |
What is not so good? |
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Some other Land Rover Defender Articles
- 1- Land Rover Defender 90 4WD 2022 review
- 2 – Land Rover Defender 110 X P400 2021 Review
- 3 -Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD 2021 Review
- 4 -Land Rover Defender crowned Supreme Winner Women’s World Car of the Year 2021
- 5 – Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S 2021 Radio Review
- 6 – 2020 Land Rover Defender Video Review
- 7 – Land Rover Defender 110 4WD is launched
- 8 – Land Rover 2020 Defender Launch Review
- 9 – OzRoamer 2022 COTY Award Winners Motoring Minute
- 10 – OzRoamer’s Car of the Year Award winners Announced
- 11 – Land Rover Defender D300 SE 2022 Review
Model |
2022 Land Rover Defender 90 D250 S |
| Model Price | $93,530 MLP* |
| Engine | 3.0L inline 6 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel |
| Drivetrain | Dual Range 4×4 8 speed Sports Auto |
| Power | 183kW @ 4,000rpm |
| Torque | 570Nm @ 1,250-2,250rpm |
| Safety | TBC |
| CO2 Emissions | 207 g/km |
| Economy ADR/ Capacity | 7.9L/100km / 8.2L/100K on test / 89L |
| 0-100kmh/Top Speed | 8.0 secs / 188kmh |
| Servicing | 5 Years/130,000 max kms (whichever occurs first) – $2,650 |
| Warranty | 5yr/ Unlimited km with 5 Yr. conditional roadside assist |
*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).
Overall Rating |
87/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 8 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 8 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 8 |
| Fit for Purpose | 10 |
| Towing / 4WD Ability | 10 – Towing 5/5 – 4WD 5/5 |
| Technology / Connectivity | 9 |
| Value for Money | 8 |
*Towing and AWD Capability is compared to other similar vehicles in the same class.
Defender Dimensions |
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| Overall Length | 4323mm |
| Wheelbase | 2587mm |
| Width / Height | 2008mm / 1974mm |
| Unladen ground clearance / wading depth | Up to 225mm / 900mm |
| Fuel Tank / Turning Circle | 89 Litres / 11.3mts KTK |
| Approach / rampover / departure degrees | 31 / 25 / 37.9 |
| Kerb Weight / GVM / GCM / Payload | 2235kg / 2970kg / 6470kg / 735kg |
| Max Roof Load: | 168kg (Dynamic), 300kg (Static) |
| Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating | 3500kg / 350kg |
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Land Rover 90 D250 S Additional Thoughts
I think in the articles mentioned above we have said just about everything that can be said about the Defender.
Winning the OzRoamer large 4WD award also places it at the best in class.
So lets focus on 90 series thought specifically.
- Currently other than the Wrangler, there isn’t a lot to compare the 90 series to
- Layout for the front occupants is the same as normal Defender.
- As this was a base model the dual driver instrument panel, with some digital and analogue is present.
- However once you get used to it , it really isn’t an issue and you don’t notice it.
- Again the 90 fits me beautifully.
- Its been mentioned how cool the 90 looks, but that comes at a price
- Practicality compared to the 110 is reduced
- Rear seats are comfortable and spacious but getting in or out is difficult
- Boot space is minimal and the fact that the rear seats don’t fold flat is another area where practicality is compromised.
- I am not the biggest fan of the fold back canvas roof, some live it but I wouldn’t pay for it
- Short wheelbase does provide slightly better off road statistics, with minimal change to on road dynamics.
- But the 110 is so good off road I would opt for that one every time
- Often its hard to determine buyer preferences, but I would imagine the profile would be a single or couple, inner city dwellers that are adventurous and favour individualism
- Short wheel base 4WDs are not the ideal towing vehicle even though its rated to 3500kg.
- Coils rather than the air suspension are a little firmer around town but still compliant
- Defender 90 shows that 4WDs can be cool and functional.
- Having said all that, I loved driving the 90 series.
Engine Transmission, Suspension & Driving Dynamics
- All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Twin-speed transfer box (high/low range)
- 8-speed Automatic Transmission
- Terrain Response
- Coil Suspension
- Hill Launch Assist
- Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
- Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
- Low traction launch
- Electronic Traction Control (ETC)
- Roll Stability Control (RSC)
- Cornering Brake Control (CBC)
- Hill Descent Control (HDC)
- Brake Hold
- Electric Parking Brake (EPB)
- Brake pad wear indicator
- Emergency Brake Assist
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Exterior Features and Finish
- LED Headlights and Taillights
- Heated, electric, power fold door mirrors with approach lights and auto-dimming driver side
- Electric windows with one-touch open/close and anti-trap
- Heated rear window with timer
- Rear wash wiper
- Alpine lights
- Puddle lights
- Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
- Side-hinged tailgate
- Automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers
- Follow me home lighting
- Rear fog light(s)
- Centre high-mounted stop light
- Manual Headlight Levelling
Wheels and Tyres
- 18” Style 5093, Gloss White, Steel w/- Off-Road Tyres (Wrangler A/T)
- 18” Full-Size Steel Spare Wheel
Seating, Interior Features and Finishers
- Two-zone Climate Control
- 8-Way Semi-Powered Front Seats
- 40:20:40 Fixed Rear Seats
- Durable rubber cabin flooring
- Durable rubber loadspace flooring
- Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
- Driver and Passenger Sunvisors
- Footwell lights
- Rear reading lights
- Twin front cupholders
- Overhead stowage for sunglasses
- Glovebox storage with mechanical lock and light
- Loadspace cover
- Hook(s) in loadspace
- Assisted tailgate
- Soft Door Close for tailgate (not powered)
- Cross Car Beam in Light Grey Powder Coat Brushed Finish
- Manually adjustable steering column
- Light Oyster Morzine Headlining
- Cabin Lighting
- Cabin Walk-Through
Information, Communication & Entertainment
- Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radio
- Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
- Online Pack with Data Plan
- Pivi Pro (Connected)
- 10” Touchscreen
- Remote
- 12V power socket in loadspace
- Trip computer
- Sound System
- Analogue Dials with Central TFT Display
Safety, Security & Driver Assistance
- Keyless Entry and Push Button Start
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Wade Sensing
- Perimetric alarm
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- 3D Surround Camera – Includes Multi Camera View, 360º View, 180º Rear View. Forward View
- ClearSight Ground View
- Front airbags, with passenger seat occupant detector
- Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Assist
- Forward Traffic Detection
- Forward Vehicle Guidance
- Tow Hitch Assist
- Clear Exit Monitor
- Lane Keep Assist
- 360° Parking Aid
- Rear Collision Monitor – Includes Lane Keeping Aid, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic
- Detection, Rear Pre-Crash and Driver Initiated Evasive Steering Support
- Rear Traffic Monitor
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
- Customer Configurable Autolock
- Power operated child locks
- Seat belt reminder
- Rear ISOFIX – Row 2 outboard seats
- Driver Condition Monitor
- Locking Wheel Nuts
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Overall Defender 90 Rating - 8.7/108.7/10
Summary
Defender 90 – Over the years there have been a number of three door 4WD vehicles, some have been successful, some have faded from the memory almost as quickly as they came.
There are a range of models and engine options from a 3.0L inline six diesel through to a supercharged 5.0L V8 petrol. Pricing is from around $78,000 through to $215,000 plus the usula costs.
If cool is your thing and you happen to like being adventurous as well then the Defender 90 series should be at the top of your list.
