Other SUVs worth shortlisting include the Volvo XC60 and XC90, Porsche’s Macan and Cayenne, plus the NX and RX from Lexus. If you intend to use your car to go off-roading, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ineos Grenadier are the key rivals, but neither can offer the cabin ambience or on-road refinement of the Land Rover – although the more luxurious Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport can give the Defender a good run for its money on the road as well as off it.
What to look for
Noise
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Early Defenders could suffer from an array of squeaks and rattles, including from around the A-pillars and dashboard.
Going spare
All Defenders came with a full-sized spare wheel, with the same diameter as the rest of the wheels fitted to the car.
Electrical bugs
Electrical and electronic faults are common, especially with the infotainment, so ensure that all software is up to date.
In trim
From September 2020, an X-Dynamic option was added, bringing blacked-out exterior trim and wheels, plus two-tone Robustec interior trim.
Common faults
Land Rover generally, and the Mk2 Defender in particular, have a poor reputation for dependability, for many reasons. Early examples could be especially problematic, and although quality has improved enormously, it’s still worth ensuring that any Defender you own has some sort of warranty on it.
Interior
Land Rover’s designers have done a great job of mixing retro and cutting-edge cues to come up with a stylish and high-quality cabin. The result is that there’s a blend of digital switchgear and chunky knobs or dials. And when you add in lots of premium materials and a very high standard of build quality (some early cars excepted), the Defender’s cabin is a really great place to spend time.
Space varies greatly from model to model, but unusually, the Defender could be specified with five six or eight seats, or as a 5+2. The 90’s boot is small, but the 110’s can stow up to 2,233 litres and the 130 can manage up to 2,516 litres.
Prices
There are plenty of Defenders for sale, although the 130 is much rarer than the 90 and 110. X-Dynamic editions are by far the most popular across the Defender range as a whole.
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