LAnd Rover Australia has bolstered its Defender 90 line-up for the MY23 range with just six variants and only one of those is diesel-powered – the D250 in S specification and we’re driving it here to see for ourselves. Be familiar with stubborn defenders.
The D250 S starts at $95,590, but the test car was fitted with a few extras that take the as-tested price to $106,263 plus on-road costs. Extras include a $1021 Off-Road Pack, a $1309 Air Suspension Pack, a $1481 Cold Climate Pack, a $1342 tow bar, and some smaller comfort and convenience features.
107
Of these extras, we’d say the air suspension and off-road pack are the only essentials for bush touring in Australia, although you can skip the off-road pack and opt for the torque-vectoring, auto-locking rear differential. are Just $806 and you’ll be missing the black roof rails and 220V power socket in the cargo space.
Standard features on the D250 S include full-time 4×4 with dual-range transfer case, coil-spring suspension and a 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder diesel engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The list of standard safety features is long and includes dynamic stability control, electronic traction control, roll stability control, cornering brake control, hill descent control, adaptive cruise control, trailer sway control, rear traffic monitor, lane keep assist and warning, tire pressure Included. monitoring system, brake hold and emergency brake assist, anti-lock brake and electronic brake force distribution.
Pricing
| Defender 90 P300 | $80,540 |
|---|---|
| Defender 90 S P300 | $88,470 |
| Defender 90 S D250 | $95,590 |
| Defender 90 Se P400 | $105,690 |
| Defender 90 X P400 | $145,700 |
| Defender 90 V8 P525 | $215,480 |
Power train
Land Rover’s ‘Ingenium’ inline-six engines are available across the brand’s portfolio in D250 and D300 specification, but only the D250 is offered in the 90. In this model, it makes 183kW of power and 570Nm of torque, which is enough to pack a punch. Defender with a clear clip on the highway or on back roads.
The twin-turbocharged diesel engine combines exceptionally well with the eight-speed transmission and the well-controlled air suspension to provide a rewarding driving experience when you want to move forward, yet less so when cruising. It is comfortable.
Land Rover quotes fuel consumption for the D250 at 7.9L/100km combined, while we returned 9.7L/100 during our test.
The engine features what Land Rover calls a 48-volt mild hybrid system to charge its battery and aid in stop/start functionality, but it doesn’t propel the vehicle at all. The only indication of the driver’s existence is when you lift off the throttle and the starter-generator is recharging the system with extra deceleration.
107
sign in
The 90 may be the shortened three-door version of the Defender range but it still offers seating for five and amazing space for rear seat passengers. The front doors are longer than the big, five-door 110 Defender and the front seats tilt and slide forward to give rear access.
It’s still an awkward squeeze for adults to climb back in but once in the back seat, there’s plenty of legroom and headroom for two passengers. Three will be a bit of a pinch.
Standard equipment includes leather seats that are heated and partially power adjustable in the front, a new large 11.4-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for compatible mobile phones. Includes wireless charger, manual adjustments for height and reach. On the steering column, dual-zone climate control, and USB as well as 12-volt power outlets of the Siggy type. The car is fitted with optional three-zone climate control, which incorporates rear HVAC controls to provide individual temperature management for backseat passengers.
107
The downside of ample rear passenger space is the lack of space behind the back seat. It’s small and the rear seats don’t fold flat to offer the most available space for cargo. There is a 12V power outlet (and optional 220V power outlet) in the boot plus cargo tie-down points.
I think this rear seat is the biggest downside of the Defender 90. Let’s face it, you’re not going to buy a three-door model for a family car and that back seat is going to be used more and more intermittently. What buyers of this Land Rover will appreciate more is space for their adventure gear, luggage, bicycle, etc., and the back seat of this car really limits that.
The commercial grade Defender 90 hardtop available in some markets appears to have a flat rear floor without rear seats but, along with the 110 hardtop, this is still under consideration for Australia and has yet to be confirmed.
Off road
It wouldn’t be a Land Rover Defender if it didn’t have good off-road chops and while these new models don’t have the live axles of classic Landis, they don’t hold back on off-road and do it. A lot of comfort.
The low-range gearing is deep, providing plenty of control and drive when going uphill, with easy engine braking on steep climbs and descents. The independent suspension lifts the front wheels easily but the calibration of the electronic traction control is quick and responsive to get drive to the wheels that can best use it. The electronic torque vectoring rear differential helps here as well.
107
Land Rover’s All Terrain Progress Control isn’t standard on the S variant, but you can add it as part of an optional package. It’s like low-speed cruise control for off-road driving. Its ability to get the car on rough terrain and soft sand is amazing.
Terrain Response is standard on the D250 S and offers an excellent chassis control system for various road conditions such as sand, mud/ruts and snow. Available in Terrain Response 2 and Programmable Terrain Response option packages.
Like all Land Rovers, visibility from the driver’s seat around the Defender 90 is excellent and the driver is assisted by 360-degree cameras, including a forward-facing camera.
Practicals
While there is a huge list of factory options and packages for the Defender, the number of off-road accessories is limited. The models are also not well supported by the aftermarket and are limited in their selection of touring items such as ballbars.
But as the model gets older, the range of offerings from global suppliers is increasing if you look hard enough. There’s certainly enough kit to turn the 90 into a wicked sea-touring 4×4.
Folding the rear seat to maximize cargo capacity is the real limit to the little Landi’s practicality. Replacing the rear seat with a flat floor would be the best solution.
107
Standard tire size is 255/65 R19 but you can fit 18-inch wheels to Defender S models. This should give a decent 275/70 tire fit and better for off-road use. You can fit 18-inch wheels to the D250 S in either alloy or steel as a no-cost option. A wide range of alloy wheel options are offered on the Defender 90, right up to ridiculous 22-inch diameter rollers.
By raising the air suspension to its off-road height, you get plenty of ground clearance even though the ride is a bit choppy. Still, it’s not unbearable and I found myself picking it up and driving all the time.
The Defender has front and rear recovery points, although the front one is hidden behind a panel that you have to remove before going off-road so you can access it when and if needed.
Decision
The Defender 90 is a very cool-looking wagon and its small size – we wouldn’t call it compact – makes it easy to fit into tight spaces, whether it’s street parking in the suburbs or negotiating narrow bush tracks.
The second-row seat is surprisingly usable but a bit awkward to access and not somewhere you’d want to put every day passengers. The biggest gripe with the back seat and the car as a whole is that it takes up a lot of space in a vehicle with limited space. For some customers, myself included, this space will be better used for cargo or luggage rather than passengers.
At around $100K, depending on the options you choose, the Defender isn’t a cheap car either and you’re not really saving much compared to the more practical Defender 110 five-door.
The big wagon may still look cool but nowhere near as stylish as the 90’s.
107
2022 Land Rover Defender 90 D250 S Specs
| 4×4 system | Full time, dual range |
|---|---|
| Crawl ratio | 53.34:1 |
| Construction | 3-door monocoque wagon |
| Front suspension. | Height adjustable |
| Rear suspension. | Height adjustable |
| Tires / Wheels | 255/65 R19/ Alloy |
| The weight | 2303 kg |
| GVM | 2970 kg |
| GCM | 6470 kg |
| Tensile capacity | 3500 kg |
| Payload | 667 kg |
| Seats | 5 |
| Fuel tanks | 89L |
| Fuel Consumption (ADR) | 7.9L/100km |
| Fuel consumption (as tested) | 9.7L/100km |
| View angle | 37.5° |
| Ramp over angle | 30.7° |
| Angle of departure | 40.0° |
| Ground clearance | 290 mm (raised) |
| Wading depth | 900 mm (raised) |
Pricing
| Defender 90 P300 | $80,540 |
|---|---|
| Defender 90 S P300 | $88,470 |
| Defender 90 S D250 | $95,590 |
| Defender 90 Se P400 | $105,690 |
| Defender 90 X P400 | $145,700 |
| Defender 90 V8 P525 | $215,480 |
All prices are before on-road costs
Things we like.
- Looks stylish
- True 4×4 performance in a small car
- High level of equipment
Not so much
- Limited cargo space due to rear seat
- The back seat does not fold forward or flat.
- Relatively expensive price