Land Rover

Defender 90 D240 S

WE REVIEWED the new Defender 110 in our June/ July issue, and since then the short-wheelbase ‘90’ has been launched in South Africa. The test vehicle was equipped with an ‘Explorer Pack’, but a little more on that later.

The 90-inch wheelbase offers even more go-anywhere capabilities due to its compact proportions. The reduced distance between the two axles and minimal overhangs front and rear have earned this little guy the title of most-capable Land Rover ever made, which is quite some feat.

But of course, with the morecompact dimensions comes reduced packing space. If there are four or five of you, tackling any sort of overland journey or even a weekend camping trip will require packing gear on the roof. In other words, you’ll need a sturdy roof rack fitted, because the boot space is small. For two occupants, though, you’ll have sufficient space. Cargo capacity limitations aside, the rear seats are, in fact, super comfy, once you have made it inside. Rear seat access is always tricky for two-door vehicles, and it’s made even more difficult by the higher ride height. Let’s just say you’ll have difficulty getting your aged mother-inlaw into the back seats. Still, the second row boasts ample legroom, air-conditioner vents and controls, storage slots for bottles and personal items, and accessory charging points aplenty. Visibility out the sides back there is almost non-existent (read: no game viewing) – on the left there’s a broad panel where the side window is normally located, and on the right side of our test vehicle was a side-mounted gear carrier (a weather-proof container that’s part of the Explorer Pack, for stowing items such as dirty boots or a wetsuit); it’s accessed from the outside.

Unlike Defenders of old, the front is a great place to be. The (electrically controlled) seats, console and dash are ergonomically designed, and dabbed with a touch of ‘utilitarian’. Surfaces feel plush yet durable, and there are more storage hatches, nooks, crannies and shelves than you’ll know what to do with. The refrigerated cubby

in the centre console is a clever touch, as is the wireless charging shelf for your smartphone. Standard features on the Defender S include a Pivi Pro 10” touchscreen infotainment centre with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, interactive driver display, and a network of cameras that provide 3D video visuals, to help you conquer off-road obstacles, or mount the shopping-mall curb. There is also Terrain Response, emergency braking, wade sensing (for fording water up to 900 mm deep), lane keep assist and 360° parking aid.

Owners can personalise their vehicle with the choice of four accessory packs: Adventure, Country, Urban or Explorer, each featuring distinct enhancements. The latter, fitted to our test unit, has a raised air intake, an expedition roof rack, the aforementioned 24-litre side gear carrier, a matt-black bonnet decal, and wheel-arch protection.

While in Land Rover terms this vehicle might be small, park it next to a conventional car and you’ll quickly realise it’s really not that little. With the rear-mounted spare wheel fitted, it’s 4 583 mm long, and 2 105 mm at its widest, similar if not larger than most cars. And it’s much higher.

Acceleration off the mark is powerful, and switch this permanently four-wheel-drive into low-range (with a simple push of a button) and you’ll go almost anywhere. Open-road cruising is comfortable, but I strongly encourage you to avoid the folding-fabric sunroof, as it’s extremely noisy at highway speeds. Not only does it let in a lot of wind noise, but the fabric and mechanism itself reverberates, making conversation with passengers very difficult. Road handling feels top-heavy and a bit boaty; I wouldn’t want to slam this vehicle into an emergency turn at speed.

For the added space, I’d probably buy a 110, but the 90 is a highly appealing and fun proposition (without the fabric sunroof). Some enthusiasts might feel the new Defenders should’ve been launched under the Discovery badge, but I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, the designers – in taking on one of the more scrutinised car-design tasks this century – have nailed the new interpretation of the icon, and delivered a winner.