It’s one of the oldest cars still in production yet it can still show younger rivals a thing or two.
Some elements of the Defender are not very new at all. Much of this latest car is exactly as it was before – you’ll recognise the iconic squared-off exterior, the seriously chunky wheels and tyres and the interior, which is as hardy and functional as they come. There have been a few tweaks for 2014 though, most notably some new colour options, privacy glass, interior trim choices, while ABS and DSC are now standard on all models bar the 130 long-wheelbase model.
The way the Defender looks is something you either get or you don’t. Unlike pretty much all other 4x4s out there, it’s designed purely with functionality in mind – the twist being that this is what makes it look so tough and appealing. The 2014 model-year upgrades give you the option of a contrasting roof but in many ways the more simple you keep it, the better it looks.
The Defender isn’t a small vehicle, but its dimensions do belong to a different era. You can tell this by the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels) because it’s relatively short compared to the overall length.
You notice this when you climb behind the wheel, because there’s more elbow room if you open the window and legroom isn’t as great as you might think. However, whether you have a pick-up version or a regular wagon, boot space is decent and of course the cabin can deal with pretty much anything you can throw at it; your kids couldn’t trash it if they tried.
The roots of the Defender and previous Land Rovers are as working vehicles, so if you’ve come from an ordinary car it might come as something of a shock as you drive away. The steering is slow-geared and relatively vague, the gearbox requires a bit of forearm and the pedals are tough rather than delicate.
The diesel engine pulls happily, reassuring you that if the conditions get really tough then almost nothing will get in your way. It’s a little noisy of course, but this is all part of the charm; you buy a Defender because it’s as tough as old boots and can scale tracks that would make a mountain goat think twice, not because it has a good motorway ride.
The standard equipment on a Defender is now better than before – the ABS and DSC fitment is a welcome addition, while air conditioning and a respectable stereo system are also thrown in. It’s pretty short on luxuries, but on the other hand you get proper off-road capability with a low-range gearbox and tyres designed for tough conditions.
If you’re a farmer then you probably own one already, but anyone who needs a 4×4 that can be abused and ignored but still needs to be able to cross any kind of terrain in any kind of weather will do well to find something better suited to the task.
On the other hand style gurus could justify the purchase as the Defender is such an iconic and functional shape it manages to avoid all the aspirational nonsense that many “soft-roaders” are saddled with. As long as you can live with it of course.
Facts and figures
Model: Land Rover Defender 110 Crew Cab Pick-up
Price: £30,995
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel unit producing 122bhp and 266lb/ft of torque
Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels
Performance: Top speed 90mph, 0-62mph in 14.7 seconds
Economy: 25.5mpg combined
CO2 rating: 295g/km