We Need To Talk About The Land Rover Defender

Plan your next big trip with onX Offroad, now available for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto enabled vehicles. Available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Download it now! Click the link to use promo code “TFL” and save 20% on an annual membership: webmap.onxmaps.com/purchase/o...
It is time we talk about the 2024 Land Rover Defender
( www.alltfl.com ) Watch more videos from TFL Studios
The Fast Lane Truck ( / tfltruck )
The Fast Lane Car ( / tflcar )
TFLoffroad ( / tfloffroad )
TFLbike ( / tflbike )
TFLnow ( / tflnow )
TFLclassics ( / tflclassics )
TFLtalk ( / tfltalk )
TFL Podcasts:
TFL Talkin' Cars Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfltalk-c... )
TFL Talkin' Trucks Podcast ( redcircle.com/shows/tfl-talki... )

[@IncisalArt]

Fantastic Review Tommy ! I’ve just turned 64,000 miles on my P400 and it has been absolutely fantastic!! Sand, Mud, Snow , and then an amazing ride home when the fun is over . Absolutely the best vehicle I’ve ever owned!!

[@LanceEJones]

Any electronic gremlins to report? I'm always interested in a Land Rover but admit to a bit of fear...

[@DigitalELocker]

@@LanceEJones No issues with mine. Most comfortable suv i’ve ever owned.

[@wade7959]

I love this style of reviews, and Tommy does an exceptional job.

[@omardevonlittle3817]

We must give Tommy his flowers. From a nerdy little nepo baby to one of the most knowledgeable experienced journos in this industry. Smart kid.

[@msgray2882]

As a Discovery 4 owner, I love the new Defender, it’s the best Discovery they have ever made! Seriously, they should have just called it the Discovery 6. A great vehicle with a confusing name thanks to the marketing team. Every vehicle is a compromise, and I got the LR4 over the jeep because 99% of the time, I’m on the road. When I do off road it, I can do all but the silliest things the jeep guys do, and have a much more comfortable drive back home. Given how expensive Jeep Wranglers have been in the last decade, it made the LR an easy choice.

[@mr.slipperman]

I would call it Rugged Range Rover Autobiography…

[@StephenFogarty2023]

All new Defender was original meant to get released before Disco 5. New Defender is clearly the replacement of D3 / D4. LR purposely pushed D5 upmarket etc More rounded styling etc Unfortunately new Defender got delayed Disco 5 came out, and, of course there was some backlash, as it was no longer a boxy and utilitarian looking vehicle. As per D3 / D4. Then new Defender finally got released. People naturally called it a Discovery, due its styling etc, as it was clearly an evolution, of what D4 was. When Defender did get released, imo LR did a poor job of marketing it. LR should have promoted a lot more the base model versions of Defender with steel wheels etc Original Defender established a fantastic heritage etc LR should have promoted heavily base model new Defender with steel wheels etc, as this does pay homage to original Defender. IMO this approach would have dramatically helped reduce the backlash from people to the new Defender, because they got focused on its high tech etc Having said that, the vast majority of new Defender are bought by city based people, who spec it to be a glitzy looking city used SUV. However New Defender can be optioned etc and accessories from LR to give excellent off road capability from the factory, whilst still having comfort / tech safety etc, and a great daily driver. Different body styles Different engines etc JLR made the correct decision New Defender is a worldwide sales success Selling 100,000 per year Which is big volume for a small company like LR. If u need more off road capability As some do Modify it to suit your specific requirements. Ineos are a small niche company One factory with production capacity of 35,000 vehicles per year Grenadier suits their specific situation. The Grenadier appeals to a much more smaller group of people v new Defender

[@selebalotsiu7139]

As for D5 I still wanna ask the Landrover: "What were you guyz trying to do?" For me thats totally off the Discovery Boxy and Masculine shape. It looks more like "Freelander HSE". Indeed the new Defender looks more like Disco family member.

[@lbnewell23]

I agree this is the ultimate disco they shouldn’t have brought back the defender name because all it does is piss off the Land Rover fanatics who will never be able to afford one of these anyway with them banging on about how it should be a farm vehicle. We all know that they made the right decision with this car and its construction but if it would’ve been called the disco it wouldn’t have made some fanatics loose their minds. Then they could’ve made a proper defender that was let’s be honest a shit car for the few people that want a cheap rugged farm vehicle that they can beat on and not care about

[@garybonham6048]

Completely disagree, there was a disco 4 replacement, it’s the current Disco. This was a plain grab on all of the Defender crew, to sell a vehicle thats not as good as the Disco 5 for a few years or more. Long live the Defender. The Defender is dead.

[@MirAviation]

I’ve had my ‘22 Defender X for 2 years now, have taken it off-road about a dozen times, including some really nasty trails at Death Valley, it handles pretty much anything you throw at it. This is my 14th vehicle and has been the most reliable out of all of them, by far.

[@korewest]

I wish I saw more anecdotes like this.. and some statistics to back it up. I would be all over the defender.

[@LinusScrubTips]

What have you owned? And how many miles. 100k miles is not reliable. 300-400k is.

[@mcandrett]

@@LinusScrubTips We know you want to hate the LR so bad… but just accept it. The car is very reliable.

[@codyburnette3372]

Im there with you. Im hitting 100,000 miles in my 2020 HSE and it’s been built so well that there is not even a rattle in the cabin. It’s quite a solid vehicle and my most favorite by far.

[@jamesisrael9802]

I am as well with our 2020X. 40k miles and have had it off road many times. Been modified with 18s, winch, rock sliders and a 2 inch sub frame lift - no issues at all. This is my fourth LR product. Our 2010 LR4 has 170k miles and going strong.

[@killerwren]

I love my defender and it’s been super capable off-road, it’s gone everywhere I’ve needed it to and it does it with style

[@Z2Z72Z2]

Exactly

[@Coordinator61]

but it will break down anyway, its Land Rover.

[@sledheadmcgee]

@@Coordinator61yawn 12000 miles and my 90 is fine. Haters gonna hate.

[@Coordinator61]

@@sledheadmcgee wow 12000 miles and its still going amazing congrats.

[@Mark-bu2ib]

⁠ owned a few have you?

[@NSBCruiser]

I have 51,000 miles on my 2022 Defender 110 P300… with tons of extreme off roading miles on it…added rock rails, underbody skids, winch, Bullbar, 18” wheels with 33” BFG KO2 tires…the aftermarket is catching up…it’s an absolute weapon off road….RUGGED LUXURY…I also have a 2004 Land Cruiser…I would buy the new defender again without any hesitation.

[@michaelhalstead64]

Love this video. Everyone keeps trying to compare the new Defender to the old Defender. Isn't it more comparable to the LR3/LR4??? I think everyone is too stuck on the name. I'm sure I'm bias because I own one, but it is a very capable vehicle. You pay a little more but it is SOOO much nicer than other vehicles in its class. I paid $60K for a new Wrangler JLUR. It didn't have features like air ride (pro and con to some), auto high beams, auto headlights, etc. The interior quality, like the bronco, was no where to the level of the Defender. And that vehicle was horribly reliable for me. Oil leaks, computer issues, suspension issues, etc. The frame and axles were all covered in surface rust after 1 season. I shopped bronco but for $65K, plus dealer markups at the time, the interior quality was not even close. I question if that small turbo engine is any more reliable than the Defender. And again it lacked options and quality compared to the Defender. I just didn't love the cheap plastics inside. Things like the sway bar disconnect on IFS are cool but really a party trick that is rarely used. The defender does lack some underbody protection, which I'd like to add at some point. But with more ground clearance than my JLUR with a 2" lift, I never touched the JLUR skids on anything after several times off-road. I'm excited to see what this vehicle does long term. I picture it being the LR3 and LR4 of the future that are reliable, comfortable and super capable but overlooked because of the LR name.

[@vindieter]

I have a 2021 D300 and have done 75000km with big trips going from Cape Town to Northern Namibia, Botswana and back. Been to the dealership twice to get it serviced. Maybe I’m lucky but the ride quality and off road capabilities as an overlander has worked wonders for me.

[@joelletendre1011]

We just got back to Northern Canada from a 28,000km drive to Central America, including over 6000km of offroading over 2 months. Absolutely flawless. 91,000 on ours, never been to the dealer.

[@jpg6482]

30k completed in my new defender - plenty of deep mud and water - love it. So capable just change the stock all terrain wheels for the mud / more aggressive ones and it’s a game changer.

[@Z2Z72Z2]

Same here at 30k. Love it

[@Winterfell1066]

I would like to see a hard off road test with Ineos vs Defender.

[@gdwinco]

I was hesitant due to reliability complaints but 1 yr/19k in Ive had no issues. Having previously owned a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Defender air suspension is unbelievably quick and wonderful. You can upgrade to 33” tires and giving the defender a 1-2” lift is

[@youtubecantsaveallthesnowf8601]

Lol....just wait...repair bills comming.

[@Mark-bu2ib]

I don’t know about that. I have a jeep gladiator Rubicon, and my wife has defender 110 X dynamic. I think she can beat me off road. Mine is lifted and she raises that air suspension and it’s on.

[@sledheadmcgee]

@@youtubecantsaveallthesnowf8601do you really think we do t have warranty’s and three other cars to drive?

[@youtubecantsaveallthesnowf8601]

@@sledheadmcgee considering you bought a pile, I'm guessing your other 3 are just as much a pile, extended, "warranties" all require a deductible and most don't cover sh!t. Neither do the factory ones. Like those awesome air bags..not covered. Or your weather seals around the windows or sun roof...not covered. It's cool. I make tons fixing them for people that are dumb enough to buy them.

[@johnbronco8678]

Excellent work Tommy! The quality of your productions, in particular is really excellent. Well done!

[@garyn.4771]

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy! Yes you're right the vast majority of Defenders don't see any dirt. Having taken my 2023 Defender X 90 to Alaska from Idaho while pulling a trailer, I had no major issues except for one tire repair and a cracked windshield. So for a +7,000 mile trip that included Alcan and Denali Hwy I would rate the Defender as "A" in regards to its durability, design, and reliability. The one real strength of the Defender that doesn't get discussed much, is the capability of driving in the snow and/or adverse icy conditions. I've never encountered sketchy situation in the snow and felt like it was going south on me. Keep up the work.

[@juniorkang]

42k miles on our 22 Defender and it’s only been to the dealer once for an unexpected issue, a nail in the tire. We don’t really off-road ours outside of easy gravel and snowy roads but it’s excellent for traversing to campsites im Arizona and Utah. It’s also equally excellent in driving our two kids to school everyday.

[@brianbass4971]

I love the Defender and LR content in general. Keep up the good work!

[@sklyjd3051]

Great review, I have had a 2020 model since new and it has been on off road tracks with no problems at all. On road smooth and cool.

[@us20riders68]

We really enjoyed the video, as usual - Thanks! We're motorcycle riders and tipping our toes into adventure motorcycles for the good months of the year but in the winter, with snow, ice and salt, we often need to use our 4-wheelers. We live in Southern New England, in family oriented neighborhood and we see quite a few of these Land Rover Defenders and a few Range Rovers driving around. Now, to be fair, we also see a ton of Jeep Wranglers, Toyota 4Runners, Honda Passports/Pilots, Subaru Outback/Crosstrek, some Ford Broncos, a few Lexus GX/LX, Mercedes G-Class and a handful or Rivians. We truly believe that more than 95% of these never go off-road. They are great family SUVs, they are awesome to go over the many potholes that our roads are full of and it's great to have 4 wheel-drive for rain, snow and ice. But true off-roading capabilities often are not used. In our opinion, for people that get to drive a few times a year on unpaved roads and are very outdoorsy (like we are) but not really into off-roading, having a more road oriented Defender makes sense as this is where it will be driven 90% of the time. If you have the cash available for it... Having the capabilities to go off-road is great! We love the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon but it definitely does not tick several boxes for on-road comfort for our daily drive. We are waiting to check out the new 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and the future 4Runner. However, a Land Cruiser is not that cheap either and the 4 cylinders does not really sound that cool - even if the Land Cruiser will probably last you 25 years without a hiccup...

[@ernierivas5484]

My Land Rover salesman told me I'm one of the very few he knows who's actually going to take their Defender off-roading - most of his customers happen to be professional athletes. When I bought it, I looked past all the creature comforts and focused on its off-road capability. Sure enough, it has performed excellently. As a bonus, it handles driving on asphalt wonderfully. Even after a year and a half of ownership, I still have a smile on my face whenever I get behind the wheel.

[@johndoughnuts]

Footballers love the Range Rover Sport.

[@AdsmanJays]

I enjoyed this review. Inline-6 is always the answer.

[@MaxMansfield]

That Boulder whole foods parking lot is hell and more perilous than any off road trail

[@iMaxPatten]

Agreed 😄

[@austinbauman3818]

This is the same philosophy Mitsubishi had with the 3rd gen Pajero. Unibody, independent suspension, and traction control. It was a successful vehicle with great offroad handling and on road comfort

[@JasonBoydston]

Andrew St. Pierre-White on 4XOverland has the perfect video explaininng why he would never take it overlanding and the fails the engineers baked into the new Defender. If the battery dies you need a laptop with the diagnostic software to properly reboot all the computers.

[@GCTO239]

Yeah, saw it. I have been following him for years. Great channel.

[@andrewg9236]

He was proved wrong about that and was proved wrong about it won't drive if you disable a wheel sensor. Also he didn't like the Grenadier but now he does...

[@GCTO239]

@@andrewg9236 no and no.

[@GCTO239]

@@andrewg9236 no, he is completely right regarding the new Defender. And he is just honest regarding the Ineos. Liking aspects of the Ineos does not make him buy one. In his opinion there are a few deal breakers. He just does not hide the fact that assessing cars is a dynamic process.

[@nickminir56]

@@GCTO239 by his logic a possibility of broken wheel speed sensor (you can buy spare) on a new defender is a deal breaker but on Ineos or Mercedes G or any other vehicles has ABS / traction control is acceptable.

[@andyradlgruber5315]

Love the no shoulder room comment regarding the previous iterations. I recall placing some form of added insulation between the door and my shoulder for winter driving.

[@timoliver8940]

Tommy, next time you come to Europe you need to drive the diesels that don’t get to the USA. I’ve owned 2 New Defenders since 2020 - a D240 First Edition 110 built in Feb 2020 - rattles and leaks galore but otherwise a great vehicle on and off road. In March 2023 I took delivery of a D250 90 HSE with offroad pack, tow pack and some other bits and the 2 cars are like chalk and cheese build quality wise and the D250 3.0lt straight 6 is silky smooth, quiet and frugal on and offroad but oh boy can it shift in great comfort when pressed on on the Highway. My only minor niggle is that my Mini Cooper S E has a bigger boot/trunk with the rear seats up than the 90, but I knew that before I bought and am single so not really an issue for me. LR has gone part way to a “fix” by changing the rear seat design so they fold flat and have added a raised boot floor with some drawers under it so, seat down, the boot floor is now flat all the way to the driver’s seat back.

[@rvboyett]

Tommy is the best TFL reviewer. He also frequents owner forums and gets insights from actual owners. I respect him for that. Also, he apparently shops at the same Whole Foods that I do. 😆 But Tommy, are you fellas just gluttons for punishment? We've all seen the trials you've gone through with the MULTIPLE Discos you've had. If you're going to review it again, I want to know what LR has done to make it more reliable.

[@ninsiimajonathan3855]

This is the very first time someone has actually done an indepth expose of this defender. It doesn't look as bad as it has been portrayed. Kudos TFLoffroad.

[@andreasgauckler3152]

Beside the price tag what concerns me most is the amount of electronic stuffed into the Defender. Otherwise I agree that it is most likely very well purpose built. We bought a 2020 LR Disco Sport and so far the car is really nice to drive.

[@chifineart]

To be fair, most modern day SUVs or any vehicle for that matter has a lot of "electronics stuffed" into it. Even if you look at the Grenadier, it's absolutely loaded with electronics and tries to come off as old school when it really isn't.

[@normalposter6072]

It will DRAIN your bank / wallet

[@Spartan_-du9wi]

I was in the market for the following 3 Trucks. Tacoma, Colorado, Defender. Of course the 2 pickups for utility had a slight edge. But the Defender has a very nice rear storage area. I watched as many reviews and reached out to a few owners i know of. All 3 owned Range/Land Rovers. All 3 told me of massive reliability issues, mostly brakes and electronics. As much as i wanted the Defender. I'm going to own this truck not lease. I own all my cars and want 10/12 years hassle free. I chose the Colorado ZR2. 10K cheaper has everything I want in a truck.

[@DrivenHard]

You need to talk to more Land Rover owners. Plus what years were the Land Rovers that they owned, that will play a big role as well. But ht last part of your comment is key, you want to own for 10+ years, well then dont buy a luxury vehicle. Luxury cars especially modern ones are not designed to be hassle-free, it's like owning a new computer for 10 years, it slows down and starts causing issues. You are not the ideal consumer for a modern LR product at all, I'd go with the Toyota.

[@michaelhalstead64]

I was in the market for a similar comparison. Silverado, 4Runner, or Defender. After just the worst reliability issues with multiple new domestic vehicles, I just didn't trust the Chevy to own. The 4Runner felt like it was 15 years old and after having several new vehicles, I just couldn't justify creature comforts for reliability. Unfortunately I wasn't able to wait for the new Land Cruiser. After owning my Defender for 6 months, I'm still very pleased. It cost a little more but the features and quality to date are nicer than what I've previously had with well equipped models. I'm curious to see how the long term reliability turns out. I can deal with weird computer glitches that so far all reset when the vehicle is completely powered off and back on. I won't be able to deal with mechanical reliability issues like previous oil leaks, engine failure, suspension failure, AC failure, door and window mechanics, brake issues, transmission issues... just to name a few.

[@jamesryanwigley]

I’ve actually been cross shopping a Defender 90 S and the new Colorado ZR2

[@trailrunnah8886]

​@@michaelhalstead64Haha, the 4Runner IS 15 years old, the drivetrain even older. Good luck with your Landy, they've grown on me and I'd give one a shot if I had the money. (I own a ten year old 4Runner)

[@trailrunnah8886]

​@@jamesryanwigley I was just looking at Colorados, I think the ZR2 is a relative bargain in that category. I prefer SUVs, but even I'd go ZR2 if I was shopping.

[@loridumler-vv6ig]

Bravo! Terrific video - balanced, knowledgeable summary and insights!!

[@Bubbaaaa]

The tire popping meme gets me every time 😂

[@drewpaterson502]

Great review as always Tommy! You really know your stuff.

[@robervin9107]

Tommy you remembered your iconic moment 9:20. Thanks fearless leader. Also 0:53. Hilarious. How your brother Brendan did not crack up is beyond me. Well done you two tommy this is your year bud.

[@thebigguy8306]

Thank you, Tommy, good discussion, for 95% of SUV owners who never venture off Tarmack besides wet grass. $55k for Defender or save $15k and get something reliable like a 4runner

[@superkill30]

Reliable yes but 5 speed auto that will cost you that 15k in gas in no time there's better options than both of those. An for way less than a 4R or Defender

[@heinargo]

Those 95% of people don't even need SUV. Wagons do wet grass and dirt roads as well, you know

[@martysy]

Would love to see a four-wheel slip test to check if the engine traction control kicks in. As far as I’m aware, a significant off-road design limitation with the LR products like the Defender and my D5, is that pressing the ‘DSC off’ button never actually turns it fully off. This means that critical moments when power and momentum are needed - e.g. a steep climb, or a speedy turn at the top of a sand dune, the engine will cut power just when you most need it. At best, potentially dangerous, at worst, life threatening. Can you do a four-wheel slip test to see if the engine kills power at higher revs?

[@davidthomas9267]

Your 90 review a couple of years ago with the check engine light at 150 miles killed all my wanting a Defender!!

[@allenmckay4476]

Thanks for doing this "long term" review, very helpful since a lot of the forums focus on the problems- you walk away thinking it's a POS. I'm looking at a lightly used, later model 4 cyl 110 Standard primarily for the coil suspension & steelies because I didn't want the air suspension issues I'd read about. And the steelies because that's such an old school classic look. Keep up the good work!

[@ciscokid78]

Greatly appreciate videos like this… I’m on the hunt for a used 110 S/SE. maybe not the most practical, but love the look of this vehicle.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

That could be a terribly expensive choice, depending on where you are in the world and the vehicles condition. .... Please do a LOT of locally relevant research based on nearby service facilities and parts costs 👍

[@ryanjcoon1]

@@edwardfletcher7790 2020 Defender 110S I4 reliable choice?

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@ryanjcoon1 As reliable as any JLR product...lol

[@GregsStoneYard]

Hey can you do a side by side comparison to your LR3? Please include the interior space. Thanks!

[@SAN2CH]

Hey Greg, I previously owned an LR3 and have recently moved to a Defender, and the LR3 did have more space in the back, and I would say a bit more useable/practical space. What I miss the most is that on the LR3 the centre seat of the 2nd row folded completely flat for loading long items (skis/lumber etc) but you could still use the outside seats. With the new one it’s 60/40 only if you want to fold it totally flat. Definitely wasn’t a deal breaker (obviously) but something to keep in mind. I also don’t have the third row so there is some extra underfloor storage in the boot. That being said, everything else about the car is better in every way! Safer, faster, more fuel efficient, better tech, more comfortable... only issues so far have been occasional glitches with the stereo (fixed by resetting) and an intermittent leaky headlight washer which I’ll get looked at during my first service.

[@GregsStoneYard]

@@SAN2CHThanks for the details! Helpful.

[@kilohotel6750]

I picked up a Defender 90 four months ago and love it. I need a vehicle to be able to get to work in any weather and don't need a rock crawler. After twenty years of Jeep ownership I don't see ever going back especially since Jeep is only interested in making four door soccer mom Wranglers that are plug ins.

[@byronlarson5534]

Got a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk new in '21 for $42.6 k inclusive of Protech 2 package. I have no regrets not getting the similarly capable LR Defender.

[@rl9810]

The low range transfer case is standard and not an option in the new Defender, isn't it? It was optional in the 2014 to 2016 LR4s, but pretty sure it's standard in the Defender.

[@banditbiker25]

Agreed

[@michaelwelschmidt9338]

Wow, that lower control arm bushing is shot.

[@spencerford2608]

This is an excellent presentation. To the point, exact and realistic. Plus, I had a Bronco in a crazy off-road spec, nothing but problems from the factory. It isn't just JLR that has production issues. Please Do a video on Wheel tire combos for the L405 Range Rover!! I have a 525 2020 and it is tough to find good info on fitment. Maybe team up with your new discount tire buddies!! Also Props to Tommy for owning the Meme!!!

[@DonMitsu]

We've had our Defender since 2020 and love it. We made a few mods to make it better off-road, but the car has been absolutely flawless for over 3 years now

[@Mohamed61110]

It is nice to hear that,i am looking for 2020 defender and i am bit afraid of first production cars issues

[@nunyabidness3075]

The dash shelf is one of those things that once you have it, you have to wonder why you never did before. It’s been counter intuitive in keeping the car more clean and organized because stuff you would previously leave in the vehicle for months after you stored it, now gets taken out. I had planned on a used BOF, rugged truck for myself, and a good highway car for my wife. She then decided she no longer wanted to drive so much, and sold her Audi. She bought an ebike. This one car drives us cross country, carries boats and gear, and takes us to the good camping and paddling spots.

[@perpelle]

I have never seen a new defender going off-road in Europe Imagine that you could fit a decent tire with some tall rubber on the vehicle. The new defender would be awesome off-road BUT ONLY as long as the electronics doesn't fail. Relying on questionable electronics when going off-road isn't really a good idea and that's the problem.

[@DaciaProject]

Same with G63s here in Europe. No one off-roads them. People do however off-road the W461 spec versions just like they off-road the original Defender 110.

[@jpg6482]

I am in uk and drove mine offroad all the time!

[@whosyourmate8292]

I've had a Suzuki, Toyota and 3 Landrovers. I don't think I'll ever have anything else now, love my Landrovers. The Japanese stuff just isn't for me. I like the refinement and character of a Landy.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Really great video Tommy Well said Soooo many positive comments from people here about their ownership experience with New Defender 👍

[@jlaw1901]

This is gold lol great review. Reminds me of a motorcycle review guy

[@Reznor_Meeks]

the root cause of this suv is: Land Rover built this vehicle to support the life line ($) of it's dealer/service department it works because the average Land Rover costumer is a well trained Masochist.

[@ecossearthur]

MY21 P400 SE X Dynamic Arizona rocking it on and off road... We also tow a 3 horse trailer..

[@henrysboy2]

Enjoyed the video. Tom did a great job. Among the things we buy is the choices the manufacturer made. LR is clearly focused on a fairly premium experience that most folks will like and will sell in some volume. They stayed true to the D’s legacy but updated and modernized it to fit their brand. TFL has its own fairly off-road, more brawny preferences. I like the new Defender a lot and would love to have one. TFLs consistent criticism isn’t wrong but it’s more about them than the Defender.

[@michaelb4705]

Love the video, Tommy. Your style of video is best in class. Keep them coming & perhaps you could give the rest of the guys some pointers;-)

[@bbgnate]

Great job on the video guys. I want a Defender really bad!

[@TommyChmelko]

Cool discovery I remember that one that you bought and I had a jump seat in the front

[@n4656bravo]

I'd be interested in seeing a side-by-side comparison with a LR3/4. Between the 75k price gap and the ability to run smaller wheels it might be a better option off road.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Agree. You could build one hell of a LR3 for a fraction of what a Defender costs.

[@DG-uu9bz]

@@trailrunnah8886 One of the best Land Rovers every built in terms of overall utility. I will put as much money as necessary to keep my LR4 running!

[@Douganchesner]

Or you can do what I did and own both.

[@n4656bravo]

@Douganchesner nah, for 85k for the trim I'd want, it isn't worth it. An old LR3 makes more sense if you're going to take it off road, as you could easily build a more capable LR3/4 for 20k. Not to mention, that for the 75-85k of the Defenender you could have a land cruiser or a LX570...which are genuinely good.

[@leonbroom7602]

Great video. Excellent, balanced review 👏

[@pokerplayawill]

Can y’all make a t-shirt with Tommy saying “F***in A!!!” And a defender? I’d buy it… 😊

[@bradleysargent9803]

I still wish they would have went forward with the cheap LR Defender overland series. This is a great videos. Good job :)

[@DEEuroworks]

Excellent looking 110. Great choice on colors and packaging.

[@diesvincent1904]

Great job really liked the video

[@brianredding6498]

Great review. As an owner of a Defender td5 1999 in the UK, I've been a bit sniffly about the new Defender but this has made me think again.

[@davidgrisco1939]

I almost spit out my coffee..."F'N-A!"😂

[@BrandonBaecker]

TFL on that Land Rover reputation recovery tour. 😆 I'm not hating, but there seems to be a lot of "Land Rover's are awesome" content lately, coincidentally after half the TFL team bought them. 😁 Trying to get that resale value up. 😆

[@sj6292]

Just bought a 90 , they are amazing.

[@TigerRagFishingTeam]

Thank you for including the clip of you reacting to the 20" wheel problem! Are the disk brakes small enough to go to a smaller 17" wheel when the aftermarket makes them? Maybe that has already occured but just curious.

[@tipperarymick5337]

You can get the Defender with smaller steel wheels and coil spring suspension here in Europe, but, perhaps only higher spec ones in America.

[@bmiller9456]

"... just please back up!..." Tommy, I've said that too many times!!!!!! Good to know I'm not alone!

[@kevincraftsbcs4488]

Great review Tommy!

[@mikeruffo6462]

I remember videos of TFL having issues with this and the 2.0T engine......any updates on that engine?

[@cincyrovers]

I’ve had my Defender 110 for three years and it’s been pretty solid! I can’t recommend it enough!

[@andrewjones-productions]

I think the Defender is a very good vehicle. As you say, aside from the ridiculous price tag, the two things that they need to implement are the following. Bringing back the physical recovery lever that they had in the first models to make recovery easier. Especially when in the wild. Secondly, a 'camp mode' that disables the infotainment system until the engine is switched on and then it is automatically reset. I recently saw a review of a vehicle (unfortunately I forget what it was) and it had a physical 'camp mode' button. There was no explanation as to what it did, but I suspect much the same as the problem of the infotainment system depleting the battery with every door opening is not just Defender, Land Rover problem.

[@VWkid4life]

Love my new Defender 90. Took me 1,400 miles to take it off road. When I told the trail guide how many miles were on it his eyes widened haha. Took me 5,000 miles to use the rear tow hook when I got it stuck in 4 feet of thick mud. Really love my new Defender and can't wait to see the new Defender SVX next month.

[@nyc8452]

Love that meme Tommy! I wouldn’t necessarily cite sales as a sign of success. As they start to dilute the Defender name it will start to lose pedigree. Defender aficionados and trendsetters will start to look to other vehicles and eventually the soccer-Mum pack will follow. Look at Wranglers, G-Wagons, 4-Runners etc. Basic off-road capable versions made them popular/cool and now regular folks are flocking to them. By watering down the Defender brand, their sales will look good initially, but they will start losing ground. They honestly would have been better off making a more aggressive Defender flagship in limited numbered and calling this the Discovery 6. It’s not a bad vehicle by any means but it doesn’t carry the Defender nameplate and looks too much like a generic crossover. Ineos has probably ruiner their opportunity to make it right.

[@DrivenHard]

There is no way sales for the Defender are going to slow down, they will only pick up. The ones who make the profits for Land Rover buying the Defender are not the ones here watching these videos, they are the ones who don't care about the nameplate, hence why it was made like it is and not like a more rugged outdoors type of vehicle.

[@LatersOnTheMenjay.]

@@DrivenHard I think you're missing the nuance in what I was saying. People follow trends and those trends are set by the loyalists users/enthusiasts. Sales aren't going to tank in the near-term, but they have watered down the Defender brand name so it's going to lose its pedigree over the long term. New buyers will fill the space in the meantime, but they're still marketing this as their best offroader whilst selling it to Soccer Moms. Guess what? Off-road enthusiasts aren't buying it and Soccer Moms don't like being called Soccer Moms. Meanwhile, Landrover will realize that their Defender market is almost entirely Suburban Moms who need bigger cupholders, a softer ride and more comfort so they will continue to dilute the nameplate - the 130 is a case in point. The could have achieved the same sales success by calling this the Discovery 6 TrailMaster and making a low-volume Defender that was more aggressive/capable.

[@stop_lying_bro]

Yea because Denfender aficionados were really buying them up. They sold a wopping 182 in one market in the last year of production. Just say you're biased already. It's a great vehicle that can do it all excep make you people happy.

[@LatersOnTheMenjay.]

@@stop_lying_bro missing the point entirely. Not saying it's a bad vehicle, just saying that they shouldn't have given it the Defender nameplate. It's diluted now and it's only going one way. Also, the U.S. isn't the cultural heartland of the Defender. Most of the Defenders you see on the road here are imported. It takes a while to build a pedigree and while to destroy it.

[@jaysoneversgerd3740]

Couldn’t agree more with most reviews..I have had a 2015 disco 4 and absolutely loved that ride, never should have sold it. To me this is the next gen of the disco as many have said, there in lyes the hang up with their naming of the car. It was a financially intelligent move, to give the everyone the dream of driving a “Defender” and posh it up LR style to please the population and their sales numbers. Anyone who owns the original defender (I do) knows this is so far from it. LR quality is excellent, the bad rap I continually hear is unwarranted. I feel you get your money’s worth.

[@george3769]

Excellent stuff. Full of info one doesn't usually learn about, and, fast moving. You don't get this on the other sites. My LR 2 is 11 years old and the original paint job looks new. Only have 50 thousand miles on it but really want to upgrade to the Defender 90.

[@JoelGraves]

No doubt Tommy has put in the work and his takes/opinions on all things off road are beyond certified. If he says something is quality or not it’s legit.

[@andrewbaker7854]

Here in the UK, the new Defender / Pretender is viewed as a rich Yummy Mummy's shopping trolley. You can see them everywhere, mostly near shops. There are still a great number of the older Defender still on the road here and working for a living, I see probably a dozen a day. You can get a wave from the drivers of the original Defenders but only once did I get a wave from a new type 'Defender'.

[@pete2072]

I have a '23 defender 130 FE with off road pack and a '24 Rubicon X 4XE. Off road the Jeep is better, but not by a whole lot. It's mostly due to tires and the size difference. You can squeeze it in places the defender won't fit, and you can also bounce the bottom of it off of stuff with less worry, though the defender actually has more ground clearance so it's a bit of a push there. On road the Jeep is better than you'd expect but the defender is still MUCH better there. It can also easily tow 7000+ pounds where the wrangler just can't. I had a gladiator Rubicon previously and while it did surprisingly well towing over 6000lbs, it was not anywhere near as powerful as the defender so was working harder to do it. The defender rendered the gladiator obsolete for my purposes so I traded it for the 4xe. Defender was $30k more than either of them. It also seats 7 comfortably and 8 in a pinch. Payload is also really good at almost 1900lbs where most, even 3 row, suvs are a lot less. The gladiator was only 1200 payload, which anyone that tows heavier stuff knows quickly gets eaten up by the trailer tongue weight. As an overland vehicle, there is nothing better imo. So far it's been perfectly reliable with around 30k miles.

[@mikeattheimagebusiness6215]

Great review as always Tommy. TFL is one of very few US based reviewers that give the Defender an educated, objective and honest review. As I use Defenders and other off roaders every day, I’d just advise specifying the vehicle carefully to get all the off road goodies to maximise capability away from the mall, and get the smallest wheels with good A/T tires. Go for the high-torque power plants. Like you, learn how to use all the systems, Terrain Response, HDC etc. I know some US customers who have come to the UK for LR training, true dedication. Thank you again, keep up the great work!

[@Veyronp87]

this is a nicely done video!

[@zachmcclintock2041]

Love defender content

[@miyahtallulah]

The perfect professionals car. Does everything really well: comfortable and capable. Great for skiing trips. I might buy one.

[@spyder000069]

Bronco Sport did almost as well on the slip tests, performed as well on the trail test, and you can buy two Badlands for the price of one defender. Sure the suspension doesn't lift/lower but again is that really going to be necessary for the majority of the target owners?

[@Salsgarageadventures]

It's amazing watching that little bronco go up things youd never expect! But dont forget ford bought landrover to get their tech and sold it as soon as they got all they wanted. So you can bet they have the algorithm for land rovers traction control.

[@christopherpike8269]

Man the Camel Back Trophy. Loved that series! Yeah far far cry from what it once was.

[@TheValleyofAwesome]

Yeah 😎 The golden days when LR’s were (literally) bulldozing through the Amazon rainforest. True testament to their amazing 4x4 capability. Jump to 2024 now, and this is what we get…

[@tempestv8]

Wow there's a lot of movement on that lower control arm bush at the 1:22 mark! Also on the later parts of the video.

[@ckaparos]

Awesome love the Defender!

[@erictyrrell3560]

This Pretender ad was really well done.

[@Piketom1]

In my experience here in northern New England, most people buy SUVs so they can feel confident in the winter. Ironically this is counter productive because in many ways a sedan is objectively better for driving through snow on road or in slippery conditions. There is a reason WRC cars are based on cars rather than SUVs. A car-platform is lighter, more stable, and more easier to handle at speed on slippery roads, in show, or in mud than an SUV because the car is thousands of pounds lighter and has a lower center of gravity. The money you'd spend on an SUV is much better spent on a good set of snow tires if you are buying an SUV to use in the winter.

[@s.centralkeystone558]

Great video!

[@hege750]

I fully agree with you, Tommy. I have a 22MY P400e PHEV and at least all the Finnish market Defenders come standard with the bash plates. Maybe it's different in the US.

[@jeeproverbydesign]

Given the price point of the new Defender and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe, I'd be curious to see a head-to-head. The Trailhawk is very similar overall. But for me the big difference is fuel efficiency. Either way, the new Defender is still a great all around vehicle.

[@inevahdie]

I took my band new defender off road and managed to get some trail pinstripes after 2 weeks of ownership. It’s been very comfy, capable and just one minor glitch that was fixed w/ firmware update. My only complaint is that the car looks little too feminine for my liking.

[@AKwontheChef]

It's the grill. I think they should have gone with something a bit more aggressive

[@christopherwilson9140]

They should have a trim level where they just give you all the off road stuffs and everything else is optional. That may help with the pricing.

[@hi9580]

Just enough sound deadening to prevent hearing damage with mud tyres on highways.

[@Navin.R.Johnson]

They're beautiful, and who doesn't like a Defender to look at, eh? I have too many reservations about LR reliability to have one, esp with the new LC on the way. What did give me a chuckle was the comment from LR how they increased the body stiffness by 3x...well yeah, there's no frame. What else are you going to do? But everytime one passes me a part of me still says 'maybe, just maybe'...

[@gothops154]

I thought this video was going to be about how they all break and parts are unavailable making them very difficult to replace. I was looking at these for the last 2 years when looking for SUVs, but I’m happy I chose something else. It was a cool idea but nothing about it works in practice, esp for the real OTD price on these.

[@Ardventures]

My Defender 90. 250D, is 18 months old, 53.000 miles, with no issues, we are in Tunisia North Africa at the moment yes driven from the UK plus ferry, it’s has also been to Morocco 4 times, yes drive from the UK and back, driven in the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, it’s also driven in the Balkans and Iceland and everything the UK has to offer and it’s plain awesome, as a Overland vehicle , is it better than the old Defender, by a country mile

[@gaivoron]

Any guesses how long with that last before it's first breakdown?

[@samkavanagh8249]

It’s clearly a very good off-roader but nowadays we’re not all farmers so we want off-roading with a bit of comfort and style esp as this will be many peoples only vehicle. Love what you guys do! Want a genuine budget challenge tho, where everyone has 10k and none of the money magically goes missing or unaccounted for or a much more expensive vehicle a brought 🙄, maybe revisit the Touareg and upgrade it and the Porsche variant to get these puppies to there full potential off-road!

[@christopherpike8269]

This is the same complaint I have about the Granadier, the price tag on these things is out of the realm of most people and definitely not something I would want to take off road and beat up. All the capability you could want behind a glass case thats says do not touch.

[@darrenjones1551]

Great discussion on the Defender - be interesting to put a Discovery 5 Up against it