Land Rover Defender review

Overview

The modern Defender 110 makes most sense when the same car must carry people and equipment on long journeys and then cope with a rough approach at the other end. The launch D240 SE combines a four-cylinder diesel with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. We cover the five-seat passenger 110 from 2020, not the short 90, the commercial Hard Top, the optional 5+2 layout or the later six-cylinder D250. This is a desk-researched buying review, not a RoadMatch road test. Before comparing asking prices, decide whether your real use justifies the extra size and running costs. If most of your miles are short trips between tight car parks, the Defender solves problems you may rarely have.

Exterior and interior

The upright glass and high driving position are part of the Defender’s character. The same squared-off body and rear-mounted spare that make it easy to recognise matter when manoeuvring, particularly with the rear door open. Test whether your garage leaves enough room behind it to load bags and whether its mirrors fit comfortably through your usual entrance. Inside, the exposed cross-car beam sets it apart from more conventional luxury SUVs. Condition matters more than the display of accessories. Look for abrasion around the load area, worn step edges and damage where heavy kit could have shifted. Check that any added roof rack or side carrier suits your clearances and comes with the appropriate mounting hardware.

Practicality

The period specification gives the five-seat 110 an 857-litre dry load volume behind the second row. Its larger wet figure uses a different measurement; neither should be confused with a third-row configuration or a seats-folded number. The shape is particularly useful for tall boxes, but measure your kit rather than assuming that every rectangular object will fit through the opening. Try the rear bench with your child seats installed and see whether passengers can climb in without difficulty. A substantial side-opening door can make an otherwise generous boot awkward in a parallel space. If you routinely need six or seven seats, verify the actual layout and try the luggage space with every intended seat occupied.

Driving experience

The launch road tests give the Defender a stronger case for comfort and rough-surface composure than for agility. The combination of a low-range transfer box, all-wheel drive and the 110’s air suspension makes the hardware meaningful for the right use. A road test should include a steady faster section and a slow turn across uneven ground, not just the dealer’s smooth approach road. Note whether the steering holds a line and whether the ride remains settled over a sequence of bumps. Tyre choice can change the noise and feel considerably. A Defender on more road-biased tyres may be a nicer everyday car, but assess suitability for your terrain rather than choosing wheels for appearance.

Performance

Land Rover’s launch figures for the 2.0 D240 are 240 PS and 430 Nm, with 0–62 mph in 9.1 seconds. That is useful performance for joining faster roads, not evidence of a sporty driving character. The eight-speed automatic is part of the appeal when work calls for controlled low-speed progress; it should engage promptly and change smoothly on a normal drive. Pay attention to hesitation once the drivetrain is warm and ask for a specialist diagnosis if shifts or take-up are inconsistent. The later six-cylinder D250 and the plug-in hybrid have different responses and costs. If a seller calls any early Defender a D240, make them establish the engine and model year from the build record.

Fuel economy

The 20-model-year technical table gives 29.5–31.7 imperial mpg for the five-seat D240 110 on the combined WLTP cycle. We use the lower end for comparison, not the more generous launch headline from a different cycle. The 28 mpg in our budget is an assumption, not an independent measurement. Towing, roof equipment, short trips and tyre choice can all reduce the distance covered per tank. Work out the cost using the miles you actually drive and run a second calculation with worse consumption if you tow frequently. Check the registration before relying on any clean-air-zone treatment; the Defender name alone does not establish how a particular vehicle will be charged.

Reliability

A convincing service record should explain how the car has been used, not merely show a series of stamps. A Defender that has worked off road may be sound, but worn tyres, dents to protective panels and traces of water in the cabin deserve an explanation. Ask a specialist to assess air-suspension operation, transmission behaviour and stored emissions or electrical faults. Look for leaks and request invoices for diagnosed faults rather than accepting a recent reset or update as proof of repair. The availability of these checks does not establish that every D240 develops those faults. Our reliability mark is a cautious editorial judgement with limited confidence, and one well-inspected car can be a better buy than a younger unknown example.

Safety

Euro NCAP assessed a right-hand-drive 110 2.0 diesel SE in 2020, making the linked assessment particularly relevant to this launch model. It reflects the protocol in use then and is not a guarantee of modern-test equivalence or the condition of a repaired vehicle. We link the official assessment without reusing its scores, ratings or artwork. Check whether driver-assistance warnings clear on start-up and verify the operation of cameras and sensors after any bumper or windscreen replacement. Try your intended child restraints in the actual seating layout. Use the government recall check and ask Land Rover to confirm completion against the VIN, especially when the selling dealer cannot supply the original campaign paperwork.

Technology and features

The launch Defender used Pivi Pro and Land Rover describes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The period equipment list also shows conventional cruise control, a surround camera with a rear view and parking aids. Treat adaptive cruise and heated seats as vehicle-specific checks, not a promise inferred from the SE badge or a photo of the cabin. Plug your own phone in, confirm media and calls, then test the camera from reverse and the parking sensors at walking pace. An infrequently used SUV may spend time on a low battery, so make sure the seller can demonstrate the systems on a normal cold start rather than after leaving it running for your appointment.

Running costs

Our £30,000–£42,000 used-price band is a November 2026 planning estimate, not a current listing feed or valuation. At 8,000 miles, 28 mpg and diesel at an assumed £1.55 per litre, fuel is about £2,010 per year. Add £200–£650 as a tax contingency pending a registration check and £900–£1,900 for service, MOT and consumables to get roughly £3,100–£4,600. These are budgeting assumptions, not personal quotes. They exclude insurance, depreciation, finance and significant repairs. Price a correctly rated set of tyres in the fitted size, find a specialist you can reach and leave a separate repair reserve. A cheaper purchase can still cost more if several jobs fall due together.

Advantages and disadvantages