The Land Rover Defender 130 launched in 2023 as a capable eight-seater SUV. Recent updates have improved comfort and capability, albeit at the expense of one seat at optimal trim level.
Photo: Jaco van der Merwe
The introduction of a more powerful diesel engine, the option of captain’s chairs in the second row, and the standard inclusion of the Signature Interior Pack have boosted the Defender 130’s status in the luxury three-row SUV segment. We recently sampled the 130 in D350 X spec to put the updates to the test.
Starting with the powertrain, the Ingenium three-litre straight-six twin-turbo mill has been upgraded from D300 to D350 guise. This results in 257kW of power and 700Nm of torque, up by 36kW and 50Nm, respectively. Power is still sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) claims the D350 will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6,8 seconds compared with the D300’s 7,5 seconds. We didn’t put either of these cars through a high-performance test but believe the claims are accurate.
Flooring a 5,3m monstrosity that weighs in at over 2,5t when the light turns green isn’t something on our daily to-do list. But spending less on the wrong side of the road when overtaking should be seen as a win and here, the extra oomph comes in very handy.
We also noticed a marked improvement in fuel consumption. While couldn’t get the D300 to dip under 15ℓ/100km, the D350 came in at 13,5ℓ/100km.
Like we’ve said before, the Defender 130 handles remarkably well for such a long car. The air suspension soaks handles the imperfections in the road with ease, which is always a plus on our pothole-ridden roads.
Opting for the captain’s chairs pack at no additional cost sees the three-seater second row being transformed into two separate seats with arm rests on both sides. This creates easier access to the three-seater third row and more leg room for the passengers there.
Our tester was fitted with the optional heated and cooled seats, with winged headrests in the second row. At a touch under R30 000, these are a must.
Part of the range update sees the inclusion of the Signature Interior Pack as standard on the Defender X. The pack ensures 14-way electronically adjustable front seats with heating and cooling functions, along with winged headrests. It also adds a heating function for the third row.
The Signature Interior Pack combines a comprehensive suite of upgrades to Defender’s interior across seating and trim finishes for an even more distinctive environment.
This pack also upgrades the Defender’s cabin Windsor Leather and Kvadrat seats, showcased in our tester in a combination of Caraway and Ebony. The quality feel of the leather provides the interior with a truly premium feel.
Another update introduced across the range after our test sees the 11,4” Pivi Pro infotainment system upgraded to a 13,1” screen.
A new driver attention alert monitor has also been added on top of the steering wheel and comes standard along with a comprehensive list of safety systems.
Exterior enhancements introduced after our test include a tinted finish for the restyled taillight clusters, a dark oval badge on the grille, new headlights, and a glossy black finish for the grille bars across all variants.
At a starting price of R2 410 800 before options, the Defender 130 D350 X comes at a premium, but it offers a lot of premium car in a segment that’s not that densely populated.
Model: Defender 130 D350 X
Price: R2 410 800
Engine: 3ℓ twin-turbo diesel
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 257kW at 4 000rpm
Torque: 700Nmat@ 1 500 to 3 000rpm
Fuel consumption (tested): 13,5ℓ/100km
Fuel tank size: 89ℓ
Fuel range (tested): 658km
Licensing mass: 2 591kg
Towing capacity: 3 000kg
