Land Rover Defender 130 – One big thing about the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130: The three-row Defender 130 is still capable of off-roading for eight people, but more comfortable with extra passenger and cargo space.
If you need a quick explanation of how Land Rover categorizes its Defender trims, I’m here to help. The Defender 90 is a niche (but elegant) two-door model, the Defender 110 is a more traditional two-row version, and at the top of the range, the Defender 130 is the biggest and longest of the bunch. It’s the only Defender with a standard third-row seat (the 110 offers it as an option) and it carries plenty of rear overhang to go with it.
Land Rover Defender 130
Don’t get me wrong, the Defender 130 still looks good from many angles. The unchanged front fascia is carried over from the beautiful 90 and 110 models, while most carry over the same wheels and color options – and of course, the rectangular insert on the rear window remains, which I love.
Jeremy Clarkson Has Driven The Land Rover Defender 130, And He’s Not A Fan Of Its Looks
But form 130 is worse in profile. The rear overhang is dramatic and contrasts sharply with the otherwise compact angles of the front end. That extra length also hampers the Defender’s off-road cornering; The 130 model has an exit value of 24.5 degrees compared to 37.7 degrees on the 110. That’s still better than the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro or the GMC Yukon AT4 – but it’s less than the 90 or 110.
But it’s not all bad. That extra length gives way to a third row that’s actually quite roomy. The 39.0 inches of headroom is ample and the 13.7 cubes of cargo behind the third row represents a 3.0-cubic-foot increase over the regular Defender 110.
The extra length doesn’t make this Defender any worse to drive; It’s a comfortable SUV with great handling and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A touch more power is nice, but if that’s a priority, you can always step up to the 2024 model’s optional supercharged V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft.
Admittedly, the Land Rover Defender 130 is not cheap. The base model S is $70,175 including a $1,475 destination charge, and the car tested here is the first version with bells and whistles. It costs $92,725. But the extra passenger space and boot space make the Defender a top choice for larger families, and even with that extra mass, it’s still an excellent off-roader.
Overland Deep Dive On The Defender 130 Outbound, 130 V8, And 110 County
Yes, the rear seats of the Land Rover Defender 130 are completely flat. Pulling a cord on the back of each individual seat allows you to adjust how the second and third rows fold.
The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 starts at $70,175 in the US including a $1,475 destination charge. That makes the Defender 130 the most affordable option of the bunch. The First Edition model tested here is more expensive, asking $92,725.
The Land Rover Defender 130 is the longest option at 210.8 inches long, compared to the Defender 110’s 197.6-inch length. The multi-sport athlete is years old, limping on the whip on passes loaded with mud-covered defenders. I have owned more Land Rovers than any other brand including my current classic Defender 110 diesel. My love for the brand runs deep and it’s encouraging to see the continued emphasis on creating a capable off-highway land vehicle. This latest crop of Defenders is the most visible testament to the brand’s legacy and commitment to off-road adventurers in recent years.
My recent trip with the Defender 130 across the Arabian Sea to the UAE included several days of dirt and trail driving and hours of road travel.
Defender Lineup Expands To Three Vehicles As Land Rover Adds 8 Seat 130 Version
Before we delve into the new model, we need to talk about the Defender 130 in general. I’ve spent a lot of time with this model, traveling on one trip across the southeastern United States and then in the Arabian Desert in the United Arab Emirates. Without question, the 130 is my favorite of the modern Land Rovers, offering the perfect combination of capacity (cargo and payload), capability and comfort. The 130 maintains the same wheelbase as the 110 at 119 inches, but adds 13 inches of extra cargo space behind the rear axle. It does a number of important things in a vehicle, including sleeping comfort, extra storage capacity (keeping weight off the roof) and overall weight balance. The weight balance improvement is evident in very steep terrain, with the 130 expressing itself more effectively (due to the extra rear weight), and the rear end less likely to pop skyward during wheel lift. 130 is more stable and consists of 110 and 110 is already really good.
Of course, the 130 has some compromises compared to the 110, such as a reduced departure angle of 28 degrees. It’s easy to see this as a cheat, but 28 degrees is still better than the Land Cruiser 200 (24 degrees) and 4Runner (26 degrees). For my use, the extra space is worth less escape. In my experience, the most important compromise is the 20″ wheels, because you can’t get the factory 18″ steel wheels on the 130 because of the size of the brakes. But if the owner is willing to go to the aftermarket, this compromise can be reduced, because there is a solution from Lucky8 that allows the installation of 18″ wheels with P300 and P400 motors.
The new Defender 130 is exceptional as an adventure vehicle, offering capabilities that few in the segment can match, combining a class-leading 1,830-pound payload (5-seat, 6-cylinder) with an unmatched dynamic roof load rating of 370 pounds. There is up to 88.5 cubic feet of storage behind the first row and more than 80 inches of length to sleep on the flat load flood (5 seats). If you like towing, the 130 can tow an 8,200-pound boat, camper, or car hauler.
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “The Defender 130 Outbound is a highly desirable addition to the Defender family, for our most adventurous customers who like to get out and explore and who need to carry more cargo with a five-seat configuration. Unique design refinements and a spacious interior provide an attractive combination of capability and practicality. The 4×4 family offers something for everyone with the introduction of a V8 powertrain to the Defender 130, while the new Outback Pack celebrates the Defender’s roots with a modern classic design.”
Land Rover Defender 130 Specs And Features
Land Rover also doubled Defender adoption in North America, driven by strong sales in all markets, with success leading to a more desirable model for the Overlander. Most notable is the new Outbound 130 model, delivered as 5-passenger only to increase payload and interior storage volume. The package comes standard with the P400 lightweight hybrid motor and heavy-duty rubber floor and cargo mat. You can also get it in white and it’s ready to travel around the world.
One of the most interesting new announcements in the Defender 130 is the V8 motor, a supercharged 5.0 liter with around 500 horsepower and 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. I drove this model in Dubai, and was impressed with the authority of the 5,800-pound domed model at legal speeds. The exhaust note is softer than the D90 V8, and the motor sounds perfectly suited to the platform. This motorcycle is ideal for those who live at altitude, tow heavy loads or simply seek thrilling acceleration. The V8 model has two important compromises, a zero (yes, zero) roof load rating and 20- or 22-inch wheels. No aftermarket assistance. Realistically, none of these limitations should be a consideration for V8 buyers, as this is a different use case than an interior commuter, but it’s important to note.
Also of note is the Defender 110, one of Land Rover’s classic trim levels, The County. The County Badge Classic Defender was launched decades ago as a premium outdoorsman package, which often included upgraded seats, racks and other options to support recreational use of the vehicle. The package was later launched on other models such as the Range Rover Classic, but has its roots in the Defender and is available new on the current model.
The County package adds some unique color combinations, such as a beautiful Fuji White body with (I think) a new Tasman Blue contrast roof and tailgate. The package also includes unique graphics, interior details and even the option of white wheels.
Northern California Awaits The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130
The Defender has proved a resounding success worldwide, with sales exceeding the volume of the classic Defender. has attracted many users with its wide range
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