First of all, I stand by my criticisms of earlier: This does not do a good job of really replacing the Defender. They should have kept the Freelander, and the current Disco would have slid nicely into that spot, making this (with a bit of a roof line change) the new Disco; the front end from windshield forward needs a facelift; it is too reliant on electronics. They have their place in the 21st Century, just not this much for the Defender.
That said, I finally got up close to one, and drove a 90, First Edition.
Good:
The Bad:
I’d get a certified used 110 with the P400 engine. I’d get the base model with the tow package, air suspension, rear locker. Winter package, wheel arch protection, mud flaps, and manual seats. I’d then get a 1” lift, and 18” aftermarket wheels and calipers.
Oh, and I’d make sure to have a 1965 Series IIa, or an MoD Defender from the mid ‘90s in the garage, just to keep it real.
That said, I finally got up close to one, and drove a 90, First Edition.
Good:
- The interior fit and finish finally feel like the quality Land Rover has long needed. The rubber flooring, seats, and design of dash are all pretty great.
- The visibility and driving position are not as good as the old Defender, but better than I’d hoped. Coming from the RRC, Disco, Defender, and GWagen, I have to say this is probably as good as it gets for one of these modern vehicles. (Crash safety requirements.)
- The front and rear passenger space and comfort are excellent. And the alpine window is excellent for the rear passengers in the 90. Not so much in the 110.
- it still drives with the feel of an SUV. It hasn’t been completely sanitized.
- The 90 drives just fine, and I assume the 110 is only better on the road.
- The coil spring version definitely rides higher than those with airbags, which tells me that getting a 1-2” rod lift should not be bad on the drive train for constant use
- The engine power is plenty for a 90, probably just fine for the 110. This is one thing the old Rovers never quite got.
- It really does look better in person. This vehicle does not photograph well, in that it fools you on how big it is, and what the angles look like in real person. For instance, the two images below demonstrate how it often appears cartoonish, when it really looks more normal, and with a better stance in real life. The only difference here is the lens length.
- The steel wheels look awesome. Even the dealer was taken by them.
- It is not too big inside. I was afraid it would feel like a fat American couch on wheels.
- Overall, it is not going up against the Jeep, but it will take some of those customers. It seems to be in a niche of its own. I can’t really think of any other SUV like it right now. So maybe they did that right: we don’t really want Land Rover to go 100% mainstream do we? It is still a bit obscure, quirky, and unique.
The Bad:
- There are some design issues that need to be addressed. The third row seats don’t really lay flat? At least I couldn’t get them to do so in the 110. Maybe I’m wrong. The second row seats don’t lay flat? And although the cargo space in the 110 is OK, there is none in the 90. None. If you buy the 90, your only hope for gear off road camping is a good roof rack, and folding down or removing the rear seats. The rear floor also has a structural beam running across it, so if ou do remove the rear seats, you must then put in a self to get a flat surface. It’s odd.
- The center front seat is stupid.
- The front end....
- The windshield feels too far out from the driver.
- the alpine window in the 110 should be moved forward so as to actually mean something for the passengers.
- it is stupid that you really can’t have the 18” wheels on the 110 unless getting the i4 engine.
I’d get a certified used 110 with the P400 engine. I’d get the base model with the tow package, air suspension, rear locker. Winter package, wheel arch protection, mud flaps, and manual seats. I’d then get a 1” lift, and 18” aftermarket wheels and calipers.
Oh, and I’d make sure to have a 1965 Series IIa, or an MoD Defender from the mid ‘90s in the garage, just to keep it real.
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