Land Rover Fettles Defender for 2025

by Matthew Guy

Published: May 8th, 2024

JLR is tending to its tremendously square Defender this upcoming model year, gifting it the likes of new seating options and an updated four-wheel drive system.

We’ll start with the 4x4, since off-road prowess is part of the brand’s reason for being – even if most Defender owners will only venture onto that cracked concrete at the mall. It seems the guts are equal to previous iterations but a series of specification packs can bundle features deemed desirable by the buyer. For example, an Off-Road Pack throws together an electronic active diff, all-terrain tires, and wade sensing amongst other items. The latter does not warn you when Uncle Wade is about to drop by unannounced, sadly. Elsewhere, a Dynamic Handling Pack adds air suspension and so-called adaptive dynamics to the mix.

New captain’s chairs in the Defender 130 offer up a pair of heated/cooled thrones to second-row passengers in addition to individual armrests and a raft of cupholders. Third row packages serve the expected tri-zone climate control but can also add seat heaters to perches in the Way Back. While you’re checking boxes, go for the package that adds a Meridian sound system and center console fridge compartment.

As a reminder, Land Rover offers numerous engine options in the Defender including a burly 5.0-liter V8 making over 500 horsepower and a fantastic racket. JLR is attempting to put focus on three brands of 4x4 these days, separating Range Rover out from the Defender and Discovery lines, marketing them as a trio.

The updated Defender line-up will be available later this summer, starting at $56,900 for the Defender 90 and $60,800 for the Defender 110. Stepping up to the Defender 130 will require at least $69,700.

[Images: JLR]

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Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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3 of 8 comments

Redapple2 on May 08, 2024

Industry worst quality prevents any serious consideration. I ll take an Evil gm Vampire Denali first.

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- Bd2 on May 09, 2024
  
  So would Anal-Grotto, that they was always talking about getting it on with Mary Barra in GM Fullsized SUVs.
  
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Theflyersfan on May 09, 2024

I know their quality score hovers in the Tata range, but of all of the Land Rovers out there, this is the one I'd buy in a nanosecond, if I was in the market for an $80,000 SUV. The looks grew on me when I saw them in person, and maybe it's like the Bronco where the image it presents is of the "you're on safari banging around the bush" look. Granted, 99% of these will never go on anything tougher than a gravel parking lot, but if you wanted to beat one up, it'll take it. Until the first warning light.

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