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In this video, we compare the Land Rover Defender 90, 110, and 130 to help you figure out which size is actually best for your lifestyle. From tight city streets to full-blown off-road adventures, each model brings something different to the table.
We take a close look at everything, design, interior space, practicality, engines, off-road tech, and driving feel. Whether you're after the compact charm of the 90, the well-rounded 110, or the go-big-or-go-home attitude of the 130, this guide will help you choose the right Defender.
Is the Defender still the ultimate go-anywhere SUV in 2025? And which size would you pick? Let us know in the comments.
#LandRoverDefender #Defender90 #Defender110 #Defender130 #4WD #OffRoad #LandRoverAustralia #SUVComparison #AdventureReady #CarReview
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0:00
three different sizes. But which Land
0:02
Rover Defender is actually the best for
0:04
you? The 90, the 110, or the 130? The
0:08
Defender has evolved from a farm-born
0:10
off-roader to a luxury SUV that still
0:12
knows how to get dirty. But with three
0:14
distinct body styles, each with its own
0:16
strengths and compromises, choosing the
0:18
right one can be tricky. In this video,
0:20
we'll dive deep into the Defender 90,
0:22
110, and 130. from design and
0:25
practicality to how each one drives, how
0:28
much space you get, and which engine
0:29
suits which body best. If you've got a
0:32
Defender on your short list, this is
0:33
everything you need to know before you
0:35
decide. Let's start with the basics. The
0:38
Defender 90 is the short wheelbase
0:40
two-door version. The 110 is the most
0:42
balanced with four doors and a midsize
0:44
footprint. The 130 is the full length
0:47
three row version designed for maximum
0:49
space and utility. On paper, they're all
0:52
part of the same family, but in real
0:54
life, they serve very different roles.
0:56
The Defender 90 is the smallest and
0:58
sportiest of the range. It's just two
1:00
doors with a short wheelbase and tight
1:02
proportions. That gives it a completely
1:04
different personality. It feels light,
1:07
playful, and agile. Off-road, that short
1:09
wheelbase is a weapon. You get
1:11
incredible breakover angles, super sharp
1:14
turns, and a real old school 4x4 vibe.
1:17
In the city, it's surprisingly easy to
1:19
live with. You can park it where most
1:21
full-size SUVs won't even try, and it
1:24
looks fantastic doing it. But the
1:25
trade-offs are real. Getting into the
1:27
back seat means folding the front seats
1:29
forward, and that gets old fast if
1:31
you've got passengers. Rear legroom is
1:33
limited, and the boot space, let's just
1:35
say it's weekend only friendly. If
1:37
you're a solo adventurer, couple, or
1:39
someone who just wants something cool,
1:41
unique, and capable, the 90 is arguably
1:44
the most fun Defender to drive, but
1:46
practicality is not its strong suit.
1:48
This is the one that makes the most
1:50
sense for most buyers. The Defender 110
1:52
keeps the rugged looks and serious
1:54
capability, but adds four doors, more
1:56
rear legroom, and a usable boot without
1:59
going full size like the 130. It's long
2:01
enough for comfort, but short enough to
2:03
still fit in a standard garage. The 110
2:05
rides smoother than the 90 thanks to its
2:07
longer wheelbase, and you'll feel that
2:09
stability on highways and country roads.
2:12
Rear passengers get their own doors. Leg
2:14
room is decent and you've got enough
2:15
cargo space to pack for a proper road
2:17
trip. If you spec it right, it can lean
2:19
more luxury or more utility depending on
2:22
your lifestyle. Need to do the school
2:24
run during the week and hit the trails
2:26
on the weekend? The 110 is the most
2:28
versatile of the bunch, and it's easy to
2:30
see why it's the most popular Defender
2:32
in the range. Now, for the big one, the
2:34
Defender 130 is over 5.3 m long and
2:37
comes with a full third row of seating.
2:39
It's the only Defender that can truly
2:41
seat up to eight adults and still carry
2:43
their luggage. This one's all about
2:44
space. If you've got a large family, do
2:47
a lot of long-d distanceance touring, or
2:48
just don't like to travel light, the 130
2:51
makes a lot of sense. The boot is
2:52
massive, even with all three rows up,
2:54
and when you drop the back seats, it
2:56
becomes a cargo hollow that rivals some
2:58
vans. That said, you do feel the size.
3:01
The 130 is heavier, wider, and the
3:03
turning circle is noticeably larger.
3:05
Underground parking becomes more of a
3:07
challenge, and off-road you lose some
3:09
departure angle due to the extended rear
3:11
overhang, but despite the size, it still
3:14
drives well, especially on long trips.
3:16
The ride is plush, the cabin is quiet,
3:18
and it feels built for touring. Think
3:20
desert crossings, cross-country road
3:22
trips, or camping holidays with the
3:24
whole crew. Inside, all three models
3:26
share the same design language, rugged
3:28
yet premium. You get exposed bolts,
3:30
chunky switch gear, and optional
3:32
finishes that range from hardwearing to
3:34
full luxury. The 90 is the most compact
3:37
with the least passenger and boot space.
3:39
Great for two people and a bit of gear,
3:41
but that's about it. The 110 adds a
3:44
proper second row with full-size doors,
3:45
more storage, and more legroom. You can
3:48
also add an optional jump seat in the
3:49
front for a 3 plus three layout,
3:51
something the 90 also offers. The 130
3:54
goes full people mover with a third row
3:56
that actually fits adults. Access is
3:58
okay thanks to a fold and slide second
4:00
row, but it's best for occasional use.
4:02
Behind that third row, you still get 389
4:05
L of boot space, which is better than
4:07
many midsize SUVs with the seats up.
4:10
Need to carry people in gear? The 130
4:12
wins. Need flexibility and a tighter
4:14
footprint? The 110 takes the crown. What
4:17
surprised me most during testing is just
4:19
how different each Defender feels from
4:21
the driver's seat. The '90s, being the
4:23
shortest and lightest, is easily the
4:25
most playful of the three. It turns in
4:28
quickly. It's easy to place in tight
4:30
city streets, and it feels far more
4:32
nimble than something this chunky has
4:33
any right to. There's definitely a
4:35
trade-off, though. The short wheelbase
4:37
means it can feel a bit choppy over
4:39
uneven roads. You'll feel the bumps
4:41
more, but it also feels more connected.
4:43
It's a real driver's 4x4. Move into the
4:46
110 and the experience gets more
4:48
refined. The longer wheelbase smooths
4:50
out the ride considerably, especially at
4:52
highway speeds. It still feels capable
4:54
off-road, but it adds a level of
4:56
composure that makes it easier to live
4:57
with day-to-day. You're not bouncing
4:59
around on every pothole, and it feels
5:01
planted on long trips. This is the one
5:03
that really nails the balance. Still a
5:05
defender, still rugged, but just that
5:07
little bit more grown up. The 130, on
5:09
the other hand, is a different beast.
5:11
It's big. You feel the size in tighter
5:13
streets and car parks, and the turning
5:14
circle is noticeably wider. But once
5:17
you're moving, especially on the open
5:18
road, it settles into a confident,
5:20
comfortable cruiser. It doesn't handle
5:22
like a sports car, but for something
5:24
this long and this heavy, it's
5:25
incredibly composed. Whether you're
5:27
hauling a trailer, loading up with
5:29
camping gear, or just stretching out on
5:31
a long drive, the 130 handles it without
5:33
complaint. No matter which one you
5:35
choose, visibility is excellent, the
5:37
seats are comfortable, and the cabin is
5:39
impressively quiet. The Defender might
5:41
look tough, but it doesn't beat you up
5:42
behind the wheel. When it comes to
5:44
engines, the Defender offers more choice
5:46
than most rivals. In Australia, diesels
5:49
are the go-to. The D250 is a 3.0 L
5:52
inline 6 mild hybrid making 183 kW and
5:57
570 new m of torque. It's smooth,
6:01
capable, and ideal for towing, touring,
6:03
or daily use. You'll find it across the
6:05
90, 110, and 130. If you want more
6:08
power, the D350 pushes 257 kW and is
6:12
available in higher trims like the X
6:14
Dynamic HSE. Petrol fans can opt for the
6:17
P400, a 3.0 0 L turbo inline 6 with 294
6:22
kW and sharper throttle response. And
6:25
then there's the V8. The P525 delivers
6:28
386 kW, while the Wild P 635 cranks out
6:32
467 kW and hits 0 to 100 in just 4
6:36
seconds. It's loud, fast, and priced
6:39
accordingly with the Carpathian edition
6:41
topping $210,000.
6:43
No matter how you drive, there's a
6:45
Defender powertrain to match. from
6:47
diesel workhorse to supercharged
6:49
monster. If you opt for air suspension,
6:51
which comes standard on higher trims and
6:53
is optional on others, it really
6:55
transforms the way the Defender rides.
6:57
It smooths out rough roads, keeps the
6:59
car level under load, and lets you
7:01
adjust the ride height on the fly. That
7:03
means you can drop it for easier entry
7:05
or raise it for serious off-road
7:06
clearance, up to 291 mm of ground
7:09
clearance in the highest setting. It
7:12
also helps with towing and long-distance
7:13
comfort, especially in the 110 and 130.
7:17
Pricing for the Defender range in
7:18
Australia starts at around $115,000
7:21
driveaway for the Defender 90, just
7:24
under $118,000
7:26
for the 110, and around $155,000
7:29
for the long body 130. That's with the
7:32
D250 diesel engine, which is by far the
7:35
most popular option. Step up to the more
7:37
powerful D350, the P400 petrol, or the
7:40
supercharged V8s, and you can be looking
7:43
at anywhere from $170,000
7:45
to over $210,000, depending on spec and
7:48
trim. Fuel economy varies quite a bit
7:51
depending on engine and body style. The
7:53
D250 diesel is the most efficient,
7:56
returning around 7.6 to 8.1 L per 100 km
8:00
in real world driving. That's impressive
8:02
for something this capable and heavy.
8:04
The P400 petrol averages closer to 10.5
8:07
L per 100 km, while the V8s,
8:10
unsurprisingly, sit well above 12 L per
8:13
100 km and can go higher if you're heavy
8:17
with your right foot. Servicing is also
8:20
fairly reasonable for a premium SUV.
8:22
Land Rover offers prepaid 5-year service
8:24
plans that cost around $2,600 to $3,000
8:28
for diesel models. You also get a 5-year
8:31
unlimited kilometer warranty with
8:32
roadside assist included. So, no, the
8:35
Defender isn't a bargain SUV, but it
8:38
delivers serious versatility, rugged
8:40
performance, and a premium feel that
8:42
makes it worth considering if you're
8:43
after something that does it all. So,
8:45
after spending time with all three,
8:47
here's where I've landed. If you're
8:49
someone who values agility, charm, and
8:51
that classic Defender personality, the
8:53
90 is a blast. It's small, it's fun, and
8:56
it feels like a love letter to the
8:57
original Defender, just with modern
8:59
comforts. It's the one for solo drivers,
9:01
couples, or anyone who wants something
9:03
that stands out and doesn't take up the
9:05
whole driveway. If you need more
9:07
practicality, the 110 is the real sweet
9:09
spot. It's the most balanced in the
9:11
lineup. Enough space for family trips,
9:13
comfortable enough for daily driving,
9:15
and still fully capable off-road. It's
9:17
the one I'd recommend to most people.
9:19
It's just easy to live with. And then
9:21
there's the 130. It's big, bold, and
9:23
built for people who pack heavy or
9:24
travel deep. If you've got a full
9:26
family, a load of camping gear, or just
9:28
want the most presence and the most
9:30
room, this is your rig. You give up some
9:32
nimleness, but you gain serious longhaul
9:34
comfort and storage. The truth is, all
9:36
three are still very much defenders.
9:38
They all have that rugged appeal, that
9:39
go anywhere confidence, and that
9:41
unmistakable design. The question isn't
9:43
which one is best, it's which one fits
9:45
your life. Because when you pick the
9:47
right one, a defender doesn't just take
9:48
you places, it becomes part of the
9:50
adventure.
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