For customers who love the Defender 90 and 110 but are seeking a little more practicality, Land Rover recently debuted its first-ever 130 model.
“New Defender 130 brings a new dimension of capability to our most durable and rugged family of vehicles,” says Nick Collins, executive director of vehicle programmes at Land Rover, in a press release. “Its spacious interior welcomes and transports up to eight people in supreme comfort, enabling unparalleled sophisticated adventuring opportunities for families, with unique design signatures to create a distinct New Defender experience.
The luxury 4x4 utilizes the same wheelbase as the 110 but features a 340-millimeter extension to the rear section to accommodate up to eight passengers and additional cargo. Though not awkward looking, the bigger caboose visually gives the 130 quite a different profile compared to the short 90.
Exclusive to the off-roader is a gorgeous coat of maroon-esque Sedona Red paint, complemented by hits of Ceres Silver Satin on the grille trim, hood louvres, protective bumper cladding, and fenders as well as the 20-inch Bright Silver Luna alloy wheels. A panoramic sunroof is standard, and the second sunroof above the third row is a nice touch. Unique to the variant is a tapered boattail shape of the vehicle’s back end that not only provides a unique appearance but yields a departure angle of 28.5 degrees while climbing steep terrain.
Inside, the cabin is configured in a two-plus-three-plus-three layout. However, the 2024 model introduces a second-row Captain Chairs Pack, replacing the bench. The heated and cooled seats incorporate armrests, can recline and tilt, and are available with airline-style winged headrests. Choosing this option also opens up the interior so rearmost passengers have easier access, allows the middle occupant to stretch his or her legs, and mitigates the blind spot the center headrest normally causes.
Thanks to the extra length, the cargo area still has 388 liters of storage space, even with all the seats upright. When the back two rows are stowed, the number balloons to 1,876 liters. If carrying large and/or heavier items, buttons found inside the tailgate will lower the ride height to aid loading.
The press loaner I drove had the P400 motor equipped—a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and possessing mild hybrid technology. The engine is assisted by an electric motor and a supplementary 48-volt battery that is charged via regenerative braking. The energy is then used to boost acceleration and improve fuel economy. Output is rated at 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which felt sufficient to propel the 5,500-plus-pound all-wheel drive Defender. Maximum towing capacity is 8,200 pounds.
Standard Electric Air Suspension with Adaptive Dynamics keeps the ride comfortable even over the bumpiest surfaces. It can raise an extra 2.8 inches at the front and 2.9 inches at the rear above the 11.4-inch ground clearance to clear obstacles and permit greater wading depth (maximum 35.4 inches).
The 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 P400 is sold in the following grades: S, X-Dynamic SE, X, V8, and Outbound.
Highlights:
MSRP: $92,150 (base)
Motor: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder
Horsepower: 395 @5,500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft): 406 @ 2,000 rpm
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Layout: Front engine/All-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 18.3 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)