Examining the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 D300
The new Land Rover Defender is one of the most admired vehicles on the road. The 90 and 110 versions are very attractive (see our reviews of them), but the 130 is the boss, and the First Edition we tried is something really remarkable. Because of its uniqueness, we determined it would be the best mode of transportation for a Grade 12 student (wearing the teal dress) and her date to the matric farewell, where they would need to make a grand entry.
Styling
The Land Rover Defender was chosen because of its popularity among A-listers both in and out of the country. The "important" individuals in movies and reality programs always seem to be driven about in a Land Rover Range Rover, Discovery, or Defender by a chauffeur. (However, in 2003, the late Queen Elizabeth drove one and hazed the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.)
Locally it is becoming the go to vehicle to top government officials. The sun's rays cast a warm glow over the Defender, bringing out its feminine contours.
The Defender's front and rear bumpers are also equipped with non-slip surfaces, so you can safely set down your champagne flutes and bottle of Veuve Clicquot. If you're camping in the Serengeti, you may have a cappuccino in your favorite Le Creuset mug.
The Defender's rubberized surfaces are a handy standard feature.
When seen from the side, the SUV-Limousine vibe is reinforced, and the additional length is beneficial for accommodating either 8 passengers or 5, with the third row folded down to provide a massive luggage compartment. It's length of 5.50
meters virtually prevented us from storing it in our garage.
This car was a huge hit with the students since Defender is a sponsor of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Viewed from the front and back, particularly in low-light settings, one can't help but swoon at the respective light signatures and the overall design of this car.
Some people would never take the beautiful Defender off-road, but you should!
Interior design
The British are the only ones who can pull off a cabin that is both useful and stylish, despite its tough exterior.
The Defender's cabin is among the best in its class. It's easy to see why it was named 2021's Supreme Women's World Car of the Year.
The handsome and durable steering wheel exudes classic Defender charm, while the dashboard's design provides a handy storage shelf on the left, a (second!) USB-A port for the front passenger, and a 11.4-inch, easy-to-use Pivi Pro touchscreen in the center.
The inside exudes an adventurous sophistication, much as Harrison Ford's Professor Indiana Jones did in the 1980s and beyond, and we approve!
Spot the second USB port in the compartment in front of the passenger. It's like Land Rover planned for everything.
Incredibly high levels of conventional functionality and features are included. Among the many included features are a spacious, chilled central armrest pocket (perfect for storing a few bottles of Perrier on long trips), an air quality sensor and cabin air filtration system, and a Clearsight inside rearview mirror. There aren't many off-road vehicles on the market with room for eight passengers in complete comfort, like this one.
The Clearsight rearview mirror from Land Rover has completely changed the way we see behind the vehicle.
Not only can you fit a reasonable quantity of baggage behind the eight seats even when they are all occupied, but there is also a fair amount of storage space when the seats are all upright. Change of address? When all the seats of a Defender 130 are folded flat, you can possibly put the furnishings of a studio apartment inside.
There is room for the in-laws to slouch and the kids to play!
We really like that the back passengers have their own climate control and that there is a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment. Girls wearing formal attire will appreciate that the Defender's suspension may be decreased.
There's enough cargo space for eight people's belongings (389 liters, to be precise), making it approximately as large as the trunk of a small or midsize crossover.
Performance
Any inexperienced driver may feel safe behind the wheel thanks to the coordinated efforts of the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, 8-speed ZF transmission, clever all-wheel-drive system, and modern off-road equipment (including a plethora of radars and cameras). You wouldn't think that a three-ton car could be so easy to maneuver, whether you're driving on a challenging route or trying to find a spot in the tight underground parking under the V&A Waterfront.
With the standard electronic air suspension, annoying speed bumps that rattle the bones in the typical crossover are hardly noticeable. That's not to suggest the suspension is wallowy; the ride is pleasant but solid, and that's why there's not much lean in the corners when you face your favorite mountain pass en route to Vumba or Kariba.
Taking the Defender to Chiendambuya or Dotito, where sand is a problem, is not a risk.
The 360-degree video system is my favorite part of the Defender since it not only provides a bird's-eye perspective of the massive vehicle but also allows you to see the inside, exterior, and even the ground underneath it. Should you select off-road modes, the Defender's picture on the center tablet becomes translucent, enabling you to notice annoying pebbles or potholes that can interfere with your off-road quest.
The Defender has you protected in every way, both literally and figuratively, with its thorough terrain reaction and its almost total coverage of unseen cameras.
Fuel Efficiency
Our average fuel consumption was 10 liters per 100 kilometers, and this included the N2 to the airport and back, as well as the school run in heavy traffic and several lovely mountain view roads with numerous ups and downs. (To provide some context, my husband's Isuzu D-Max 250 similarly gets approximately 10 l/100 km, although having a far less kerb weight.) If you drive with Eco Mode enabled, a full tank of fuel should get you roughly 700 kilometers. (Discover if the diesel or gas-powered Land Rover Defender is the superior option.)
Considering the beefy 221 kW and 650 Nm of torque available, this is also a remarkable result. (In case you were wondering, the maximum speed for this model is 192 kilometers per hour.)
Safety
EuroNCAP awarded the Defender their maximum five stars for safety thanks to its standard features and optional semi-autonomous driving systems like adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keeping, and steering assistance that gently steers around the bends.
We think you'll be safe in the Defender if something horrible happens to you.
Competitors
The Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Lexus LX and BMW X7, and are just some of the rivals to the Land Rover Defender 130. All of these vehicles are top-notch in their own right, with impressive off-road capabilities and a slew of high-end amenities, but the Defender 130 stands out. And you'd never accuse a Defender, with its gorgeous and confident demeanor, of needing to overcompensate for its owner's (ahem!) inadequacies. The Defender exudes confidence and poise because it has nothing to hide.
I'd rather have this Defender than any other vehicle in my driveway. But it will be a toss-up with the Toyota Landcruiser 300. Fortunately, we are very delighted to suggest the entry-level Defender 130 D300 X-Dynamic HSE, which is much cheaper. I have no qualms about sinking cash into the Defender 130; the D300 X-Dynamic HSE will serve me well.
Our Judgement
For those with larger families looking for a gorgeous, feature-filled, competent, and historically significant vehicle, the Defender is an excellent choice. The only issue with Land Rover vehicles is that their past long-term reliability issues now serve as a warning to potential customers, as some advanced onboard systems were prone to problems, but this fear is unfounded, as many reliability surveys now report that new Defender owners are very happy with their purchase.
Styling
The Land Rover Defender was chosen because of its popularity among A-listers both in and out of the country. The "important" individuals in movies and reality programs always seem to be driven about in a Land Rover Range Rover, Discovery, or Defender by a chauffeur. (However, in 2003, the late Queen Elizabeth drove one and hazed the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.)
Locally it is becoming the go to vehicle to top government officials. The sun's rays cast a warm glow over the Defender, bringing out its feminine contours.
The Defender's front and rear bumpers are also equipped with non-slip surfaces, so you can safely set down your champagne flutes and bottle of Veuve Clicquot. If you're camping in the Serengeti, you may have a cappuccino in your favorite Le Creuset mug.
The Defender's rubberized surfaces are a handy standard feature.
When seen from the side, the SUV-Limousine vibe is reinforced, and the additional length is beneficial for accommodating either 8 passengers or 5, with the third row folded down to provide a massive luggage compartment. It's length of 5.50
meters virtually prevented us from storing it in our garage.
This car was a huge hit with the students since Defender is a sponsor of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Viewed from the front and back, particularly in low-light settings, one can't help but swoon at the respective light signatures and the overall design of this car.
Some people would never take the beautiful Defender off-road, but you should!
Interior design
The British are the only ones who can pull off a cabin that is both useful and stylish, despite its tough exterior.
The Defender's cabin is among the best in its class. It's easy to see why it was named 2021's Supreme Women's World Car of the Year.
The handsome and durable steering wheel exudes classic Defender charm, while the dashboard's design provides a handy storage shelf on the left, a (second!) USB-A port for the front passenger, and a 11.4-inch, easy-to-use Pivi Pro touchscreen in the center.
The inside exudes an adventurous sophistication, much as Harrison Ford's Professor Indiana Jones did in the 1980s and beyond, and we approve!
Spot the second USB port in the compartment in front of the passenger. It's like Land Rover planned for everything.
Incredibly high levels of conventional functionality and features are included. Among the many included features are a spacious, chilled central armrest pocket (perfect for storing a few bottles of Perrier on long trips), an air quality sensor and cabin air filtration system, and a Clearsight inside rearview mirror. There aren't many off-road vehicles on the market with room for eight passengers in complete comfort, like this one.
The Clearsight rearview mirror from Land Rover has completely changed the way we see behind the vehicle.
Not only can you fit a reasonable quantity of baggage behind the eight seats even when they are all occupied, but there is also a fair amount of storage space when the seats are all upright. Change of address? When all the seats of a Defender 130 are folded flat, you can possibly put the furnishings of a studio apartment inside.
There is room for the in-laws to slouch and the kids to play!
We really like that the back passengers have their own climate control and that there is a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment. Girls wearing formal attire will appreciate that the Defender's suspension may be decreased.
There's enough cargo space for eight people's belongings (389 liters, to be precise), making it approximately as large as the trunk of a small or midsize crossover.
Performance
Any inexperienced driver may feel safe behind the wheel thanks to the coordinated efforts of the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbodiesel engine, 8-speed ZF transmission, clever all-wheel-drive system, and modern off-road equipment (including a plethora of radars and cameras). You wouldn't think that a three-ton car could be so easy to maneuver, whether you're driving on a challenging route or trying to find a spot in the tight underground parking under the V&A Waterfront.
With the standard electronic air suspension, annoying speed bumps that rattle the bones in the typical crossover are hardly noticeable. That's not to suggest the suspension is wallowy; the ride is pleasant but solid, and that's why there's not much lean in the corners when you face your favorite mountain pass en route to Vumba or Kariba.
Taking the Defender to Chiendambuya or Dotito, where sand is a problem, is not a risk.
The 360-degree video system is my favorite part of the Defender since it not only provides a bird's-eye perspective of the massive vehicle but also allows you to see the inside, exterior, and even the ground underneath it. Should you select off-road modes, the Defender's picture on the center tablet becomes translucent, enabling you to notice annoying pebbles or potholes that can interfere with your off-road quest.
The Defender has you protected in every way, both literally and figuratively, with its thorough terrain reaction and its almost total coverage of unseen cameras.
Fuel Efficiency
Our average fuel consumption was 10 liters per 100 kilometers, and this included the N2 to the airport and back, as well as the school run in heavy traffic and several lovely mountain view roads with numerous ups and downs. (To provide some context, my husband's Isuzu D-Max 250 similarly gets approximately 10 l/100 km, although having a far less kerb weight.) If you drive with Eco Mode enabled, a full tank of fuel should get you roughly 700 kilometers. (Discover if the diesel or gas-powered Land Rover Defender is the superior option.)
Considering the beefy 221 kW and 650 Nm of torque available, this is also a remarkable result. (In case you were wondering, the maximum speed for this model is 192 kilometers per hour.)
Safety
EuroNCAP awarded the Defender their maximum five stars for safety thanks to its standard features and optional semi-autonomous driving systems like adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, lane keeping, and steering assistance that gently steers around the bends.
We think you'll be safe in the Defender if something horrible happens to you.
Competitors
The Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Lexus LX and BMW X7, and are just some of the rivals to the Land Rover Defender 130. All of these vehicles are top-notch in their own right, with impressive off-road capabilities and a slew of high-end amenities, but the Defender 130 stands out. And you'd never accuse a Defender, with its gorgeous and confident demeanor, of needing to overcompensate for its owner's (ahem!) inadequacies. The Defender exudes confidence and poise because it has nothing to hide.
I'd rather have this Defender than any other vehicle in my driveway. But it will be a toss-up with the Toyota Landcruiser 300. Fortunately, we are very delighted to suggest the entry-level Defender 130 D300 X-Dynamic HSE, which is much cheaper. I have no qualms about sinking cash into the Defender 130; the D300 X-Dynamic HSE will serve me well.
Our Judgement
For those with larger families looking for a gorgeous, feature-filled, competent, and historically significant vehicle, the Defender is an excellent choice. The only issue with Land Rover vehicles is that their past long-term reliability issues now serve as a warning to potential customers, as some advanced onboard systems were prone to problems, but this fear is unfounded, as many reliability surveys now report that new Defender owners are very happy with their purchase.
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