Road Tests:
In what must be one of the all-time classic long-term developments, the Land Rover Defender continues to move forward, albeit at a leisurely pace. But why rush things when you already have one of the ultimate off-roaders that can cope with just about any situation?
Modern rivals have plenty of electronic gizmos but the Defender's driveline is about as dependable as it gets, and easy to fix too. Add to this a newly fitted 2.4-litre Ford-derived engine that's high on torque delivery, complete with a competent six-speed manual box to exploit it, and the Land Rover picture becomes complete.
There have also been some worthwhile changes made inside, improving refinement and comfort, including increased soundproofing.
But as much as these advancements help to hone the Defender it will never match the modern on-road manners of the likes of Nissan's Navara due to its ageing underpinnings, and will therefore appeal only to serious off-roaders.
Pros:- New engine provides vastly improved torque delivery and refinement
- Little to touch it when the terrain gets tough
| Cons:- Aging design cannot compete on-road with modern rivals
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Vehicle Specifications
| Engine Options: | 2.5-lit diesel, 122hp/300Nm (current model) |
| Transmission: | 4x4, 5spd man |
