[MashinBenzin]

My Discovery was booked in for deployable steps to be fitted on Wednesday. Loaners are always Disco Sports, it appears, but the Sales Manager kindly agreed to lend a Defender to me from the sales fleet. Something of a bonus was that the workshop was busy and I ended up keeping the Defender for two full days. (There is a contrast here with the local BMW dealer, where I twice had M3 loaners booked that ended up being 118d and 218d respectively, and a 24 hour X5 test drive that morphed into a X3. Land Rover, at least my local, are in a completely different league that feels like a premium service).

Summary thoughts ... the Defender is an outstanding car. I'm certain that it will be one of the hottest sellers in the range. Every part of it feels like it works with the next one, a completely resolved design inside and out. And different to anthing else I have ever sat in.

The motor This was a MY21, complete with a MHEV diesel inline six. The installation of the engine is far better insulated and the mechanical refinement is excellent. And the power is perfectly adequate and well delivered. I suspect D200 or 250, not 300 as didn't feel as punchy as my V6

The drive Another revelation. I'd expected something slightly worse than a D5, as this would be even more tuned for off road. Not so. This steers with typical JLR sweetness and accuracy, they always know how to tune a steering 'rack'. The more I drove it, the more I realised it was better than the D5. Corners flatter, perhaps a lower CoG. Sits very solidly on the road. And the ride is sublime, again better than my D5. On a very similar platform, quite surprising. The four cylinder may play a part in a pointier nose versus a V6. Also at play were 20" wheels (my car has 21s, although 22s are possible). Bigger sidewalls for better ride and less unsprung weight. Got me thinking about 20s for mine....

Interior You've all seen pictures of the interior. Radically different to the normal large LR - where top of the range D5s, RRS and FFRR share very similar architectures, materials and style. This is not luxury, but it is a nice place to be, really solid and full of interesting detail. I'm guessing this was a lower/mid-spec model as no wood to be seen or any other highlight materials. One big drawback versus the D5/others, the doors are styled to be Defender items and thus have thin tops. I love the leather wrapped shelf that the D5 doortop is, a fantastic armrest. Would be a big miss on a long haul. Also no captains chairs, so no folding armrests on the front seats.

Tech Another flawed assumption on my part, that Pivi Pro was a worked over ICTP and would be alright but nothing special. Huge step forward, completely up there with iDrive for speed, responsivenes and features. As usual, the Meridian stereo, not the surround one, was excellent.

Space/practicality This and luxury are the two areas that put to bed the idea that the Discovery and Defender eat each other's breakfasts. The rear bench is fine and spacious, but not as cossetting as the electric D5 tilt/slide rear seat. This car didnt have 7 seats, but if it did they would be tiny. Far more X5 (or indeed RRS) for interior room than X7, the Disco being the other way around. The Defender is a much shorter car, so not surprising, and interior height feels markedly less. Defender boot seems smaller, but much lower to load, not having to accomodate a full size spare underneath with a good departure angle and overhang.

That's enough rambling. You can probably tell that I would happily have one. Easy to swap luxury for utiliatarian interest, refinement great in both cars. 7 seats, luxury and space the Disco wins. Drive, styling and interest the Defender wins.

Pics in next post.

[MashinBenzin]

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[MashinBenzin]

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[MashinBenzin]

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[JustChris]

Very nice! That's a great looking SUV. Interesting thoughts, I wouldn't have thought in a moon years it would rise better than a D5.

Just seeing the pics and hear your thoughts reminds me that the infotainment ha winded moved on wonders since I even had the RRS. Things like speed dial shortcut icons were hit and miss, not so in the FType thus far, the looks of the screen and the dials are fantastic and 'ducks for cover' better than the equivalent BMW version now.

For such a huge (IMO) car U.K. surprised on your thoughts about the 7 seats. I think what is deceptive about it is that although 5m ish 40cm or so is literally a spare wheel stuck on the back. I love that for rugged looks but it's a shorter car I'd that makes sense.

How are the deplorable steps on yours now, pleased with them? Very snazzy feature.

[MashinBenzin]

Yes, an awful lot of length in the bumper and spare. The Disco is styled around its volume, this has its volume dictated by its styling.

Agree that I never expected it to outride a Disco. Direct comparison not helped by them giving me the car back in off road height and we forgetting to lower it, so driving home "tall". But on roads I drive every day, the Defender is more supple. I blame the 21s.

Deployables are ace, daughter loves them and so will the oldies. Cheap thanks to the facelift coming out - £1300 fitted for what was a £3.2k option new iirc.

I prefer the non-Germanic dash too and agree the new haptic buttons are a big improvement on the old. Although I like the spinny finger volume control.

Having driven this, I think the V8 Defender will be frigging awesome!

[MashinBenzin]

I should mention that this was in full isleaiw1 "is that glint of light a fresh coal seam?" spec. Would be nice to see one with lighter trim and a pano roof.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

I should mention that this was in full isleaiw1 "is that glint of light a fresh coal seam?" spec. Would be nice to see one with lighter trim and a pano roof.

You can’t eat a good coal seam....

I once had a black car with black wheels... never again! After the Sahara dust rain yesterday, white is my new go to colour 😉

Defender looks good, not my thing these days but I can imagine them being very popular in certain circles. V8 90 model should be fun and a great dog carrier....

[MashinBenzin]

OP corrected. It was a MHEV 6, I've run a reg check, I couldn't believe the I4 was that refined! Service desk sold me a dummy when I asked.

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

I should mention that this was in full isleaiw1 "is that glint of light a fresh coal seam?" spec. Would be nice to see one with lighter trim and a pano roof.

I thought it looked more like 'Sub-Saharan African Warlord" spec.... though it wouldn't look out of place in a Drumchapel council estate either

Seriously though, whilst I am the owner of an SUV, the Defender doesn't do it for me. It's very sensitive to colour, and with all the panels and add-on bits of 'look at me, I'm a rugged explorer' stuff it looks like a dog's dinner in the wrong shade. There's one near me which is a sort of sand/beige colour, and it's a mess IMO.

ETTO as they say though, I'm sure there are plenty of folks who can't abide the look of the X3 either.

Too early to tell, but what is reliability/dealer service likely to be with these? I know a few people who have real horror stories with JLR products, something that would put me off even if I did find the Defender attractive.

[TodmordenLad]

Nice write-up, MB
Not my cup of tea but if I lived at the end of an unmade road on the edge of Dartmoor, as I once did, I might be up for one.

[KRS_SN]

I work about 250 yards from a major land rover showroom and service centre.
I can see the stocked forecourts. Interestingly during peak lockdown last year it was full of defenders. Since then very few and the landscape is dominated by evoques which seem to be flying off and ffrr flying off as well I see others models in smaller numbers staying on forecourts for longer. It indicates to me there is demand for lower end (evoque) and higher end (ffrr)
I see very few defenders on the streets. I think its a niche product and likely to have some exclusivity for folk who want to feel rugged without being rugged.

[MashinBenzin]

@Blacktemplar can see that the looks are polarising. To me, they are softened enough that it's fine in an urban setting, and not trying too hard. I'd definitely have a light touch on spec. The thing is, they are fabulous road cars, better than many other brands.

On the reliability and dealer service, I can only speak as I found. Which was an amazing financial outcome and another new car from what was , in the end, a minor issue. If it hadn't been for JLR's reputation, I doubt that rejection would have crossed my mind.

And the dealer service has been exceptional, from pre-sales onwards. Every loaner I had was brimmed and left with the instruction to bring it back empty. Think I had 9 days in 3 cars before ordering and another for a few days post ordering. Two went to Heathrow and back. I've never experienced anything like that with any brand.

ETTO, as you say, but on the basis of service I'd have to wholeheartedly recommend. You just have to have your wits about you when haggling, but that's true everywhere.

[Panchoa]

ETTO but that is one ugly car / SUV!!!

I do get the need for vehicles like this when you live in rural areas but my god that is ugly.....IMHO

[Dave_3]

I think JLR have a winner there. I've seen a good few about, including the new 90s. They look good on the road.

I very much like it. While I've driven (probably "operated" is a better verb) the original Defender, I don't need to carry dead sheep (most farmers I know have Toyotas) so the new on road refinement coupled with real ability makes this new version appeal. As someone who has never considered an SUV before, I'm watching this out of the corner of my eye.

48v boost to a straight 6 diesel really piques my interest.

Like BMW with Mini, their new versions (in all shapes and large forms) focus on playful character with a myriad of options allowing you to spec the car to your taste. You could literally fit an original Mini into the boot of the last countryman-thingy I had last time as a courtesy car.

Like the original Mini, you can park your mud-splattered Defender outside the Opera and it still looks cool. Classy and classless at the same time.

D.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

While I've driven (probably "operated" is a better verb) the original Defender, I don't need to carry dead sheep (most farmers I know have Toyotas) so the new on road refinement coupled with real ability makes this new version appeal.
D.

Haha, Dave, yes, operated is a good way of describing it. I had one in the early eighties, replacing a former Post Office Morris Minor van . It was brutal in the refinement stakes but perfect for pottering around the minor rural roads of South Devon. I wish I still had it, although it would have taken a bit to restore it to its best as it was pretty knackered even when I had it.

[six]

MashinBenzin Thanks for the write up, very interesting observations. I must say the Defender is starting to loom large on my radar. I like the way it looks nice either completely basic on steel wheels or fully spec’d with all the bling options! Myself I am becoming intrigued by a super basic one but still having the 6 cylinder diesel and air suspension.

Form your pics the boot didn’t look as large as I might have expected, what did you think of it? Also a shame about the rear ‘boot door’, I find them awkward to use and I like the Discovery / FFRR fold down seat. So handy for loading the boot, sitting down etc

[M40CCA]

I've just bought myself one mate

I love it

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

I've just bought myself one mate

I love it

Very nice that, congrats!! Prefer it in that colour to the all black of my loaner. Good to see you around mate.

Looks like the Eiger Grey that I have. Is that a Defender colour?

[JustChris]

Nice 👍🏻

What engine did you go for?

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by six

MashinBenzin Thanks for the write up, very interesting observations. I must say the Defender is starting to loom large on my radar. I like the way it looks nice either completely basic on steel wheels or fully spec’d with all the bling options! Myself I am becoming intrigued by a super basic one but still having the 6 cylinder diesel and air suspension.

Form your pics the boot didn’t look as large as I might have expected, what did you think of it? Also a shame about the rear ‘boot door’, I find them awkward to use and I like the Discovery / FFRR fold down seat. So handy for loading the boot, sitting down etc

Cheers!

I was a bit surprised by the boot when I opened it. Without having checked specs it "felt" closer to X5 than Discovery. Shorter and with less height - the former being more important to me. Agree on the fold down perch - "the plank" in the case of the Disco. I use it loads for my daughter.

The door would be slightly inconvenient perhaps, although the Disco tailgate is whopping and needs thought when parking. No electric operation on the defender would be a drawback. I do find the gesture tailgate handy with shopping, etc.

I too like that the Defender looks good in all specs. That one was a £62k SE XDynamic on checking the reg. a very nice car for that money imho. It would be easy to go cheaper and still be very happy I think.

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by M40CCA

I've just bought myself one mate

I love it

Lovely! 👍

Looking forward to hearing how you like it.