2024 Defender X
Love the idea of off-roading but hate the thought of suffering through a rough ride every day? The 2024 Land Rover Defender just might be your perfect match. Think of it as the smooth operator amongst rugged beasts like the Jeep Wrangler and more refined Lexus GX. As its name and heritage makes obvious, It’s a complete champ on off-road trails, but it also makes grocery runs and long road trips a pure pleasure. With three powertrains and three body styles, you can customize it to completely fit your style and needs. Want to turn heads? Go for the two-door 90 model. Got a bunch of kids? The extended-wheelbase 130 has extra space and a third row of seats. Most folks will find the mid-sized 110 just right—offering a good balance of style and practicality. Whichever you choose, the Defender stands out with personality and comfort, far surpassing its no-frills ancestors of decades past.
For 2024, the long-wheelbase Defender 130 is getting a cool new Outbound trim. They’ve ditched the third row and rearmost windows to give you more cargo space and let you go wild with exterior accessories. Plus, now you can get the 518-hp supercharged V-8 in the 130, just like in the 90 and 110 models. Over on the 110, there’s a snazzy new County Exterior package. It includes a two-tone paint job, unique 20-inch wheels, illuminated door sills, and matching interior touches.
The Defender comes standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Naturally, every model includes four-wheel drive and locking differentials for tackling tough terrain. You can also opt for a 3.0-liter inline-six that features an electric supercharger and a 48-volt hybrid system. For those craving even more power, there’s a 518-hp supercharged V-8 available, which propels the Defender 90 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Unlike the old Defender, the new model boasts a unibody construction and a fully independent suspension, ditching the old body-on-frame setup and solid axles that made for a spine punishing ride. The standard suspension now uses coil springs, but you can upgrade to an air suspension for adjustable ride height. With 11.5 inches of ground clearance and the ability to wade through 35 inches of water, the Defender outperforms the Jeep Wrangler in both clearance and wading ability. With the sophisticated unibody construction and optional air suspension, it’s easily the most comfortable and soft riding Defender there’s ever been.
From the outside, the 2024 Defender is all mean muscle. A testosterone infused machine of unfiltered masculinity. Boxy shaped, with plenty of hard, sculpted lines. Oozing a presence thats both traditionally handsome, but also quite menacing. At just a quick glance, there’s no confusing what the Defender is setting out to do exceptionally well, and that’s tackle the toughest of trails.
On the inside though, it walks a tighter line between utilitarian and upscale. There’s enough design elements that tie the new Defender into the rest of the Land Rover line-up to not let you forget which pack you’re running with. Premium Windsor leather looks and feels great in the dark ebony interior. Smart details, like the exposed rivets add extra layers of ruggedness to the whole package. Even the long magnesium bar, that runs the entire width of the dashboard, isn’t just there to look pretty. It’s also functional, adding structural rigidity to the frame.
After a continuous run of 67 years, and a small four year hiatus; most auto enthusiasts were thrilled to see the return of the beloved Defender in 2020. Though it’s retained the core DNA that made it so successful and celebrated amongst off-road addicts; it’s never been so fashionable, not to mention comfortable as a day to day option. Making it an attractive mix, poised to meet the demands of anything you throw its way.
Defender X Starting MSRP: $90,800.00
