Land Rover Defender 90 – The Short Wheelbase Land Rover Defender has the same options and engines as the 4-door model, while managing a more youthful look and feel.
The 18” white steel wheels diameter replace the 19” standard alloys for added Landy retro. The Defender 90 sits very high, and side steps would be a sensible addition.
Our base model defender 90 carries the iconic profile of Defenders of old, with technological such as tyre-inflator, fully digital dash, and full array of assistance and driver aids.
Driving off road is also aided by gizmos, and the further up the range you go, the more goodies you get.
What I like
Unlike early Land Rovers, Defender costs $90,000, well and truly in the luxury bracket. The P300 lacks the fancy matrix headlights of the top models, and the rubber floor mats feel decidedly utilitarian. However, muddy boots and carpets don’t mix.
The good-looking short chassis model can fit in small spaces as long as there is the head height, and has the same footprint as the Range Rover Evoque
What I don’t like
The back seats spacious, but ingress/egress is tight, no matter who you are.
There is a long list of add-ons and our car also had an annoying buzz in one of the speakers, and a squeak in the driver’s seat belt.
The Cabin
2 doors are cool, but I suggest leaving the back seats down, making the Defender 90 an entirely different. Otherwise cargo space is limited.
Comfort is a huge step up for anyone familiar with old Defenders. The seats are supportive and the switches and dials are easy to use. Temperature dials for climate controls double their function, with the left dial also doing fan duty, and the right acting as the drive modes selector.
Voice controls are better than they used to be, but are something I rarely bother with. Siri is another matter. That makes life so much easier, and wireless CarPlay means it is available every time you start the engine without the need to press buttons.
The Defender 90 Drive
Defender is a regal, wafty ride. Standard coils soak up errant potholes, and the steering is light with little road feel.
The steering allows for assistants such as lane centering, and collision avoidance. Automated braking helps avoid accidents and the smart cruise control has a stop/go function.
The short wheelbase would be fun out in the scrub, and rocky climbs look like a hoot.
Highways mean roadtrips, and roadtrips mean mates, food, and fun. We filled the Landy to the brim, and headed up the road a bit.
After a few hours in the saddle, all four reported suitable comfort. Back seaters would have like to be able to crack the back windows, even if it is just popping them out a few centimetres.
You sit very high up, and the semi-electric seat will prop you up even further. You know you can go anywhere you want and the temptation is to put it to the test. I can imagine camping and fishing, but I suspect it will be groceries and school runs at 20 paces instead.
Conclusion:
Power is plenty, but the 4-cylinder Ingenium works hard, and that shows in the fuel figures.
After balancing the good and the bad, Defender comes out on top.
Price:
- $87.073 (as tested – $95,172) MLP*
- Engine: 2.0 Turbo Petrol
- Power 221kw/400Nm
- Econ: 10.1L/100k
- Trans: 8 Speed Auto
*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)
Some Other Defender Stories
- Land Rover Defender 90: 4 Lads’ Weekend Away
- Land Rover Defender 110 X P400 2021 Review
- Land Rover Defender 110 D250 4WD 2021 Review
- 2022 Land Rover Defender 90 P300-A Gay Man’s All Terrain Coupe
- Land Rover Defender 110 P400 S 2021 Radio Review
- 2020 Land Rover Defender Video Review
- Land Rover Defender 110 4WD is launched
Defender IN DETAIL
Standard Features
Vehicle: 22MY Land Rover Defender 90 S P300
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)
- Leather Gearshift
EXTERIOR FEATURES AND FINISHERS
- 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
- Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA)
WHEELS AND TYRES
- 19” Style 6010, 6 spoke, Gloss Sparkle Silver w/- Off-Road Tyres (wrangler A/T)
- 19” Full-Size Spare Wheel
SEATING, INTERIOR FEATURES AND FINISHERS
- Two-zone Climate Control
- 12-way Semi-powered Front Seats
- 40:20:40 Fixed Rear Seats with Centre Armrest
- 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
- Leather Steering Wheel
- Light Oyster Morzine Headlining
- Cabin Lighting
- Cabin Walk-Through
- Auto-Dimming Interior Rear View Mirror
- Centre Console with Armrest
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 – 6 speakers, 180w amplifier
- Analogue Dials with Central TFT Display
- Interactive Driver 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
- Front airbags, with passenger seat occupant detector
- Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Assist
- Forward Traffic Detection
- Forward Vehicle Guidance
- Tow Hitch Assist
- ClearSight Ground View
- Clear Exit Monitor
- Lane Keep Assist
- 360° Parking Aid
- Rear Collision Monitor
- Lane Keeping Aid,
- Closing Vehicle Sensing,
- Reverse Traffic Detection,
- Rear Pre-Crash
- 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
| Vehicle Variant: | 22MY Land Rover Defender 90 S P300 |
| Registration / VIN: | NCD77V / SALEA6AX7M2048129 |
| Drivetrain: | 1,997cc Ingenium Inline 4-Cylinder Turbocharged Petrol
w/- 8-speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive |
| Power: | 221kW @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque: | 400Nm @ 1,500-4,500 rpm |
| Max Speed: | 191 km/h |
| Acceleration: | 0-100km/h in 7.1 secs |
| Fuel Economy: | 10.1 Litres per 100km |
| Weight: | From 2,140 kgs |
| Towing Capacity: | 750 kgs unbraked/3,500 kgs braked (max tow ball weight – 350kg) |
| Max Wading Depth: | 850mm (coil) |
| Service Plans: | 5 Years/102,000 max kms (whichever occurs first) – $1,950 |
| Warranty: | 5 Years/Unlimited kms with 5 years roadside assistance |
| Colour / Trim: | Pangea Green / Acorn Grained Leather and Robust Textile Seat
Facings with Lunar Interior |
| RRP: | $87,073 |
| Options: | Folding Fabric Roof | $4,810 | |
| Clearsight Interior Rear-View Mirror | $1,274 | ||
| Leisure Activity Key | $910 | ||
| Electronic Active Differential w/-Torque Vectoring by braking | $806 | ||
| Cross Car Beam Finish-White | $299 | ||
| 18″ 10 Spoke Style 5093 Sparkle White (ilo 19” alloys) | NCO | ||
| Pangea Green Metallic Paint | NCO | ||
| Price-As-Tested: | $95,172* | ||