Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 – It’s not often I drive a car that costs around $134,000 and say that it’s actually really good value.
Even less often when it’s a European brand. Yet that is exactly what I thought when I recently drove the Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D 300. That’s a mouthful for a lot of car.
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of the Latest defender and for good reason.
TO LISTEN TO THE DEFENDER X DYNAMIC RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW
The Defender 110 X-Dynamic version we drove comes with the 3.0L in line twin turbo six cylinder diesel engine with 221kW of power and 650Nm of torque and drives through a terrain response AWD system and an 8 speed AT. It also came with adaptive air suspension.
Off road the Defender is excellent, it will take owners almost anywhere a sane driver wants to go with absolute comfort and ease.
On road its ride and dynamics are something that you would expect from a luxury European SUV, not a true 4WD.
It’s in the balance between these two competing requirements, off road handling and on road comfort that the Defender is class leading.
You have to drive the Defender to really understand just how good it is
This is a Motoring Minute
I’m Rob Fraser 
What is good? |
What is not so good? |
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Some other Land Rover Defender Articles
- 1 – Land Rover Defender D300 SE vs LandCruiser 300 GR Sport 2022 Review
- 2 – Land Rover Defender model range enhanced with the 130 model
- 3 – Land Rover Defender 90 Series 2022 Review
- 4 – Land Rover Defender 130 Details
- 5 – Land Rover Defender D300 SE 2022 Review
- 6 – Land Rover Defender 90 4WD 2022 review
- 7 – Land Rover Defender 110 X P400 2021 Review
- 8 – Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD 2021 Review
- 9 – Land Rover Defender crowned Supreme Winner Women’s World Car of the Year 2021
- 10 – Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S 2021 Radio Review
- 11 – 2020 Land Rover Defender Video Review
- 12 – Land Rover Defender 110 4WD is launched
- 13 – Land Rover 2020 Defender Launch Review
- 14 – We drive the all new 2020 Land Rover Defender
- 15 – Land Rover Defender 2020 Launch
- 16 – All new Land Rover Defender Brief Introduction
- 17 – OzRoamer 2022 4WD over $80,000 COTY Award
- 18 – OzRoamer 2022 COTY Award Winners Motoring Minute
- 19 – OzRoamer’s Car of the Year Award winners Announced
- 20 – Land Rover Defender has moved a step closer to production
Model |
2022 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D 300 |
| Model Price | $120,310 MLP* PAT $134,609 MLP* |
| Engine | 3.0L inline 6 Cyl Twin Turbo diesel |
| Drivetrain | Dual Range 4×4 8 speed Sports Auto |
| Power | 221kW @ 4,000rpm |
| Torque | 650Nm @ 1,500-2,500rpm |
| Safety | 5 Star ANCAP (August 2020) |
| CO2 Emissions | 207 g/km |
| Economy ADR/ Capacity | 7.9L/100km / 8.2L/100K on test / 89L |
| 0-100kmh/Top Speed | 7 secs / 191kmh |
| 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 |
92/100 |
| Behind the Wheel | 9 |
| Comfort | 9 |
| Equipment | 9 |
| Performance | 9 |
| Ride and Handling | 9 |
| Practicality | 9 |
| Fit for Purpose | 10 |
| Towing / 4WD Ability | 10 – Towing 5/5 – 4WD 5/5 |
| Technology / Connectivity | 9 |
| Value for Money | 9 |
*Towing and AWD Capability is compared to other similar vehicles in the same class.
Dimensions Defender 110 X-Dynamic |
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| Overall Length / Wheelbase (mm) | 5018 / 3022 |
| Wheelbase | 3022mm |
| Width / Height (mm) | 2008 / 1967 |
| Unladen ground clearance / wading depth | Up to 228mm / 900mm |
| Fuel Tank / Turning Circle | 89 Litres / 12.84mts KTK |
| Approach / rampover / departure (degrees) | 31.2 / 22.6 / 37.8 |
| Kerb Weight / GVM / GCM / Payload (kg) | 2405 / 3200 / 6700 / 795 |
| Boot space Min / Max (L) | 1075 / 2380 |
| Max Roof Load: (kg) | 168 (Dynamic), 300 (Static) |
| Towing Capacity / Tow Ball rating (kg) | 3500 / 350 |
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Some more Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 Thoughts
- If I had to pick only one car and live with it then this would probably be it.
- Every time I drive the Defender I am reminded of just how good the dynamics on road are.
- Best in class on road and equal to anything off road.
- The front seat comfort, relationship to the steering wheel and pedals and arm rests is the most comfortable I think of any car I’ve sat in.
- When you compare it to equivalent LC 300 series its good value and that’s something I never thought I would say.
- The 300 diesel engine delivers low torque and linear acceleration. Even though on paper it’s less than the LC 300 series, in reality the power and torque bands deliver real world efficiency.
- The headlights both low and high beam are excellent
- The internal design, especially the front dash and central console, for little storage areas is best in class,
- Over bonnet visibility is particularly good
- The third row seats are pretty useless, if you really must have them buy the 130 series
- Like many European cars you have to turn the recycle function for the A/C on every time you start the engine.
- The steering wheel controls for infotainment etc have a slight delay in response and unless you compensate for it you find yourself ahead of the buttons
Options: Price as Tested $134,609 MLP*
Family Pack: $4,796
- 3 Zone Climate Control
- Air Quality Sensor
- Cabin Air Ionisation with PM2.5 filter
- Manual third row seats
Towing Pack: $4,044
- Tow hitch receiver
- Advanced Tow Assist
- Terrain Response 2
- All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC)
- Configurable Terrain Response
Air Suspension Pack: $1,309
- Electronic Air Suspension
- Adaptive Dynamics
Off-Road Pack: $1,020
- Torque Vectoring by Braking
- Domestic plug socket
Other options
- ClearSight interior rear view mirror $1,274
- Privacy glass $999
- 20-inch Style 5094,
- 5 spoke, Satin Dark Grey $520
- Black contrast Signature Graphic (with interior storage) $337
- 4″ Touchscreen NCO
What features does the Defender 110 X-Dynamic Have?
Exterior
- Style Premium LED headlights with signature DRL
- Signature C-Pillar Graphic
- Black contrast sliding panoramic roof
- 20″ Style 5094, 5 spoke,
- Satin Dark Grey with All Terrain Tyres
- LED taillights
- Heated, electric, power fold door mirrors with approach lights and auto-dimming driver side
- 20” Full Size Spare Wheel
- Heated rear window with timer
- Electric windows with one-touch open/close and anti-trap
- Automatic Headlight Levelling
- Front + Rear fog lights
- Black exposed rear recovery eyes
- Rear wash wiper
- Alpine lights
- Puddle lights
- Side-hinged tailgate
- Automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers
- Follow me home lighting
Interior
- Extended Leather Upgrade
- Cross Car Beam in Light Grey Powder Coat Brushed Finish
- Ebony Morzine headlining
- Premium Cabin Lighting Incl.
- 10 Colour lighting:
- Front & Rear Door Signature Lines,
- Front & Rear Door Bin Illuminations,
- IP Illumination,
- Console cubby Illumination,
- Upper Canopy Illumination.
- White -Front Downlighter,
- Front Footwell Illumination.
- X-Dynamic Treadplate Leather steering wheel and gearshift
- 14-way heated and cooled electric memory front seats with 4-way manual headrests
- Two-zone Climate Control
- 40:20:40 Folding Rear Seats with Centre Armrest
- Electrically Adjustable Steering Column
- Auto dimming interior rear-view mirror
- Durable rubber cabin flooring
- Durable rubber load space flooring
- Sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors
- Footwell lights
- Front row lights
- Rear reading lights
- Twin front cupholders with cover
- Loadspace cover
- Centre Console with Armrest
Information, Communication & Entertainment
- Pivi Pro (Connected)
- Meridian™ Sound System Incl. 11 Speakers including Subwoofer, 400W amplifier power
- Analogue Dials with Central TFT Display
- Interactive Driver Display
- WIRELESS Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- ALEXA Smart Assistant Voice Control
- Online Pack with Data Plan
- 4″ Touchscreen
- Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) radio
- Remote 12V power socket in loadspace
- Trip computer
Safety, Security & Driver Assistance
- Keyless Entry & Button Push Start
- 3D Surround Camera Incl.
- Multi Camera View,
- 360º View, 180º Rear View. Forward View,
- Forward Traffic Detection and Vehicle Guidance,
- Tow Hitch Assist and ClearSight Ground View)
- 360° Parking Aid Rear
- Collision Monitor – Incl.
- Lane Keeping Aid,
- Closing Vehicle Sensing,
- Reverse Traffic Detection,
- Rear Pre-Crash and Driver Initiated Evasive Steering Support
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Blind Spot Assist
- Clear Exit Monitor
- Emergency Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Keep Assist
- Rear Traffic Monitor
- Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter
- Customer Configurable Autolock
- Power operated child locks
- Driver Condition Monitor
- Wade Sensing
- Trailer Stability Assist (TSA)
- Perimetric alarm
- Seat belt reminder
- Rear ISOFIX – Row 2 outboard seats.
- Front airbags, with passenger seat occupant detector
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Overall Rating - 9.2/109.2/10
Summary
Off road the Defender is excellent, it will take owners almost anywhere a sane driver wants to go with absolute comfort and ease.
On road its ride and dynamics are something that you would expect from a luxury European SUV, not a true 4WD.
It’s in the balance between these two competing requirements, off road handling and on road comfort that the Defender is class leading.
You have to drive the Defender to really understand just how good it is
