What is a Defender? A Defender is an SUV built in the Nitra, Slovakia assembly plant and sold worldwide by Land Rover. The Defender 130 Outbound Edition looks like an off road panel van with big 20″ knobby all terrain tires, blocked out rearmost windows and the 130 drops the third row seats for maximum cargo room and storage.
The Defender 130 extends the body of the Defender 110 by around 13.5 inches, resulting in a longer vehicle overall. The Defender 130 is approximately 211 inches long from nose to tail, while the Defender 110 is much shorter in comparison. Think that bigger, longer and taller is always better.
The Defender was built to tackle any terrain. This SUV comes equipped standard with all wheel drive (AWD), and plenty of ground clearance, allowing you to travel almost anywhere with ease. The air suspension system also helps the vehicle deliver a much smoother ride, whether you’re on even pavement, or going off road in the badlands.
To prove that point, this week Land Rover sent me a 2024 Defender 130 Outbound Edition SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 130 Outbound Edition is $84,500. The options on the test SUV are: the comfort and convenience package for $810, the off-road package for $1,250, the premium upgraded interior package for $1,400, the towing package for $1,850, the head up display for $1,000, the Ebony Windsor leather interior package for $750, the interior protection and storage package for $700, the wheel protection package with black lug nuts and wheel locks for $570, the clear sight interior rear view mirror for $570, the Wi-Fi enabled data plan for $360, the emergency package for $75, and the handover package for $28. The manufactures suggested retail price (MSRP) including the $1,475 destination charge, is: $95,338.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $107,255. At just over $107 Grand and change, this 2024 Defender 130 Outbound Edition is on the pricey side for a large SUV, but it is a Land Rover.
One of the key factors contributing to the high cost of the Defender is the limited number of units produced every year. Land Rover employs a meticulous manufacturing process that emphasizes attention to detail to deliver a profound off road driving experience. Land Rover is the ultimate all terrain vehicle, and sets the industry standard for the full size luxury SUV’s. With its iconic design, effortlessly comfortable interior, and responsive performance, it makes the Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound Edition a legendary SUV.
Power for the Defender 130 comes from a 3.0L 6 cylinder gas engine with 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, bolted to a 8 speed automatic transmission, then routed into an AWD traction control system with a twin speed transfer case. This driveline comes with selectable driving and off-road modes, with terrain response and hill descent control, electric power steering and an air suspension system with adaptive dynamics. Power, control, stability and safety all rolled into one intelligent driveline for on and off-road driving, wrapped up in leather and suede.
Comfort and convenience is top shelf starting with premium LED headlights, auto high beam assist, a panoramic sun roof, rain sensing front and rear wipers, privacy glass, auto dimming power folding heated door mirrors with memory and approach lights, heated and cooled power front seats with lumbar supports and memory, 60/40 split sliding and reclining rear seats, a power adjustable heated steering wheel, 3 zone climate control, auto dimming interior rear view mirror, keyless entry, push button start, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM Radio, with an interactive center stack digital display screen.
The option list includes premium cabin lighting, a front center console with a refrigerated compartment, an electronic active differential with torque vectoring, 18 way heated and cooled front seats, extended leather interior upgrades, advanced towing assist, a tow hitch receiver, all terrain progress control, a locking left side roof access ladder, and a locking right side rear exterior storage compartment. This is as good as it gets for going off road.
Call, click or visit your local Land Rover dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the new 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound Edition SUV. And remember that the base price for a new Defender starts at only $56,400. Land Rover – Above and Beyond.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net