2023 Land Rover Defender review

1. Vintage good looks with a modern style

The Land Rover Defender is known for its boxy style that epitomizes off-road excellence. While the modern Defender might look a little different, it still retains the square shape of the classic design. Despite these nods back to its predecessors, the 2023 Land Rover Defender has a strikingly modern style with narrow headlights and curves that soften the edges of the traditional shape. This makes it a great option if you love the old-school design but want something that looks and feels appropriate for 2023 and beyond.

2. Capable off-road

The element that always made the Defender stand out is its off-road prowess. For 2023 it takes things to the next level with unibody construction and fully independent suspension. As you'd imagine, every model features four-wheel drive, allowing you to tackle whatever terrain you fancy. With 11.5 inches of ground clearance, you can traverse rocky roads and steep hills, too—plus you can cross up to 35 inches of water so you don't have to stop when the road does.

3. Third-row seating and more space

Another new-for-2023 feature is the larger Defender 130 variant that ups passenger capacity to eight with a third row of seats while still offering 13.7 cu-ft of cargo space. This means you can carry the whole crew for your next off-road adventure while still leaving space for all your stuff. If you're torn between the Defender 110 and 130, it all comes down to size. The 130 variant offers that extra space behind the third row and comes in at a total of 211 inches in length. The 110 model is 197.6 inches in length with 10.7 cu-ft of cargo space in the back.

4. Wide range of trim and engine options

Whether you're using your Defender as an off-road adventurer or prefer to use it as a capable suburban people mover, there's a variant out there for you. With seven trims and three engine options, it's easy to find the Defender that fits your lifestyle. If space is important, go for the Defender 130 with its longer wheelbase. If power is the priority, the V8 trim features a 5L supercharged V8. The base model is well equipped as standard with heated and power-adjustable front seats, wireless charging, and Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ integration.

5. Impressive performance

No matter which of the engine options you choose, you'll get great performance both on- and off-road. The base engine is a 2L turbocharged four-cylinder that gets a respectable 296 horsepower—as standard, it also includes low-range gearing. The top-range 5L V8 ups power to a fun 518 hp and will do zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. There's also a mild hybrid engine option that offers 395 hp from its 3L engine and electric motor—it'll do the sprint to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, according to the manufacturer when new.