LIVING THE LIFESTYLE

Crossing mountains or nipping to the shops in style, this 4x4 can do it all, writes Matt Allan

Think Land Rover and you automatically picture mud-splattered 4x4s splashing along rock-strewn riverbeds or negotiating rickety bridges in the middle of a jungle.

It’ s a well-deserved image that the brand has cultivated over more than 70 years and it’s one it continues to pursue with the new Defender, leaning heavily on the car’s enormous off-road abilities and practical qualities.

But not every Defender is destined for a mountain top or farmyard. As with anything that can loosely be called an SUV, there’s a huge amount of interest among drivers for whom off-roading means an gravel track on the way to the stables or a grassy field next to the rugby pitches

It’ s to those sorts of buyers that this week’s car seems designed to appeal. Those who want the stylish yet solid looks of the Defender but don’t care about load space or break over angles.

So, our test car is the shortwheelbase 90 version with a variety of“lifestyle” friendly features that are more about aesthetics than practicality.

There’s no doubt that the 90 looks better than the 110. there’ s something lovable about its almost toy-like dimensions, which are only enhanced by the short two-door body. But that body style means accessing the surprisingly spacious rear seats is a struggle for all but the most flexible. And the boot space is more supermini than SUV.

The white steel wheels and raised intake look ready for rugged action but pairing them with an impractical fabric roof, tinted windows, fancy sound system and metallic paint with a contrast roof makes it seem that this particular car is more about image than ability.

Not to suggest that this Defender isn’t capable. For a start it has massive ground clearance and specially calibrated adaptive air suspension. then there’ s the low-range transfer box, terrain response 2 off-road system and chunky off-road tyres that serve a practical purpose as well as enhancing the ru ft y-tufty looks. Plus, it’ll tow 3.5 tonnes.

Powering it through whatever conditions you face is a mild hybrid three-litre straight six engine, with 246bhp and 420lb ft. Unlike Defenders of old, this diesel unit is refined and quiet while packing plenty of punch.

Also unlike old Defenders where an array of levers were used to change ratios, all new models come with as lick eight speed automatic.

These are big changes but by far the biggest difference between the modern Defender and its predecessor is how it behave son the road. gone is the vague and coarse driving experience, replaced with premium-level refinement, accurate steering, composed ride and controlled body movement.

The interior pulls off a neat trick of hinting at the Defender’s underlying ruggedness while feeling modern, comfortable and refined. There are artfully exposed screwheads, chunky grab handles and a rubberised finish to sections of the dash and centre console. But there is also a 10- inch internet connected touch screen, electric ally adjustable seats, a 360- degree camera system and driver aids.

Some will scoff at the Defender’s efforts to be all things to all people but what impresses is how well it manages to pull it off. The new technology and vastly improved comfort mean it can keep pace with more lifestyle-focused rivals while the dedication to engineering means it can still go places those rivals can’t reach.

Whether it spends its life drawing admiring glances in the Waitrose car park or gathering dents and scratches up a Welsh mountain, the Defender has well and truly joined the 21st century.