Defender Of The New Realm

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2024 Defender 110

There are various ways to get your want of off-road adventure. Most of which have pedigrees of its ancestors that paved the way to conquer all conditions. 

Before we dive into the 2024 Defender 110, there is a matter we need to address. We should explain something that should clarify the model’s name. 

Up until this model year, this vehicle was known as the Land Rover Defender. That was until Tata’s British automotive arm decided to do some rebranding across its lineup. For one, the name Land Rover has disappeared. You can still see its badges here and there, but it is prudent to not call this a Land Rover anymore. 

In the process, they split the Land Rover lineup into three brands: Discovery, Range Rover, and Defender. Henceforth, this model is simply called Defender – available in 90, 100, and 130. 

In case you are wondering, Jaguar is still a brand under the JLR corporate banner. 

One more bit of context: The corporate name has also changed. Instead of calling it Jaguar Land Rover, it is now called JLR. The corporate website still uses the full name of this automotive entity, yet they still want you to call it JLR. 

Thank you. 

Enough of this bit about corporate branding, this 2024 Defender 110 S is loaded with packages that add more value and cache to this refined off-roader. 

The first thing you’ll notice is the exterior package. The County Pack delivers a retro look from the previous Defender. The white “steelie-type” 20-inch wheels are aluminum. Contrasting the Santorini Black primary color is a hue of Tasman Blue for the roof and tailgate. Striping of three hues of blue run from the front door rearward. In all, it harkens back to the 1980s and 1990s when Defenders were colorfully used to traverse the green lanes of ol’ Blighty.

If you overlook the County Pack, the 110 is a well-balanced Defender with four doors and two rows of seats. In many cases, that’s all you need. 

There are a few touches you will find on all Defender 110s. The “safari windows” above the second row of seats and cargo hold harken back to the Series II Land Rover 110s. The overall shape is upright and functional, with plenty of ground clearance for off-road adventures. 

Getting in and out of the Defender 110 is a breeze. Once you get in, the Defender offers a functional environment for the driver. A fully digital instrument cluster is easily customizable for viewing and information. Controls take some getting used to, but you can understand the Defender’s logic once you do. 

JLR recently rolled out a new infotainment system called Pivi Pro. Utilizing a 10-inch touchscreen, the system offers both excellent functionality and additional vehicle information. It does a great job with smartphone mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity. Meridian’s sound system delivers 400 watts of superb sound throughout the cabin. 

The leather seats are comfortable and supportive. Passenger room is quite good in both rows. Outward vision is equally good frontwards and along the sides. Just mind the spare tire on the tailgate when looking rearward.

Cargo space is augmented by the right-hinged tailgate. Once you swing that tailgate open, you start with 34.0 cubic feet. Fold down the second-row of seats, and it expands 78.8 cubic feet. Because the tailgate is hinged on the right, be mindful that you are not loading onto the curb as easily as you would expect. There should be no problem loading and unloading in parking lots, however.

Our P400 Defender 110 is powered by a gasoline-mild hybrid engine. The 395-horsepower 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder is also turbocharged, putting down 406 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, a two-speed transfer case augmented by the Terrain Response system, ultimately sending power to all four wheels. 

This driveline speaks volumes. It did its duty, traversing city, highway, and countryside. No lag nor any hesitation. It accelerates just fine. However, we did observe a fuel consumption average of 19.3 MPG in our care. 

This 110 S was equipped with the available air suspension system. That was why the ride quality was smooth. There’s plenty of suspension travel and dampening for a level ride on rougher surfaces. It just rides nicely with lots of control. Handling is also controlled but do watch for the limits. Don’t think you can take a corner like a Jaguar F-Type in a Defender. It can take maneuvers quickly, yet expect a bit of roll and lean beyond limits.

Steering the Defender is quite good. The turning radius may be a bit larger for its size, yet it can accomplish a lot of maneuvers with ease. Although, the on-center feel is a bit on the softer side. The brakes felt good, as well. The pedal feel is also a bit on the soft side, yet they are very effective in normal, panic, and wet situations. 

There are three 2024 Defenders to choose from: The two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended four-door 130. Our 110 was the “purest” model – the S – among four current trim levels. Pricing for the 2024 Defender 110 starts at $67,900. Our well packaged 110 S came with a sticker price of $82,053. 

One thing I must herald this 2024 Defender was its level of quality. Compared to the first Defender I worked with, everything fits perfectly, felt superb, and was very well put together. 

With that said, there’s a lot to love about the Defender. It upholds the lineage of what this vehicle came from and proclaims its purpose as an off-road ready vehicle. We should never forget that as rugged its it looks, it is also refined.

Being all of that will tell you that JLR is serious about the path it is taking by its rebranding of its former Land Rover models – especially its Defender models. Yes, it still wears Land Rover badges – for now. However, that is a signal to let you know where the Defender line is going from this point further.

This tester reminds us of this throughline that connects its past and present. A story I enjoy watching unfold from behind the wheel. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by JLR North America

All photos by Randy Stern