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There are plenty of Land Rover Defenders to choose from, but the 110 D300 might be one of the better models out there.
The nostalgia around the Land Rover Defender and its image of being an iconic, almost romanticized safari truck has endured the test of time, making it the embodiment of the off-road vehicle over the years. With the release of the new Defender three years ago, the British off-roader came back to the forefront of the SUV stage to perpetuate the Defender lineage and more recently, Land Rover even released the Defender 130 to join its existing lineup of the Defender 90 and 110.
With an extended wheelbase allowing a third-row of seating, there is more to choose from than ever in the Defender lineup. From two to four doors and diesel to petrol, it can be easy to get lost in what to pick in order to match your lifestyle and needs, especially as the Defender is a vehicle that can be endlessly customized. Depending on your activities, choosing the base model becomes crucial. And while all new Defenders may look the same, the subtle differences between each model make the experience aboard this off-roader different. In the wide spectrum of comfort to adventure, the Defender can do it all, but depending on the model you choose, that specific model can attune to your needs better. This time, let’s take a closer look at the Land Rover Defender 110 D300 X-Dynamic.
What surprises perhaps the most when first getting behind the wheel of the Defender is how un-Defender-like it is to drive. The ride is smooth, quiet, and extremely easy thanks to the electronically assisted steering, which is nothing like the hardcore, uncomfortable image one would have of an extreme off-roader. The air suspension fitted on this model makes the ride extremely smooth. Especially on highways, the car glides over road imperfections so that occupants only feel a gentle nudge instead of heavy. spine-shattering vibrations.
The Defender 110 D300 sports a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder diesel engine producing 296 hp and 650 Nm (479.3 lb-ft) of torque. Though less advertised, it also possesses an electric motor of 48V, just enough to give the Defender a bit of extra juice it needs on rougher terrains and increase overall efficiency. Being the ultimate off-roader, the Defender does not seek to prioritize speed and high performance numbers, yet it still manages to reach a top speed of 191 km/h despite its mass. And even though it is almost 2-seconds slower than the V8, does one truly need to be the fastest when aboard a Defender?
The diesel-powered Defender is incredibly quiet both from the inside and outside of the vehicle. It is also one of the more fuel efficient options offered by Land Rover for the Defender lineup. First, there’s the 8-speed automatic gearbox that will make cruising a delight. And while claiming an average of 9.9 km/l, the Defender can easily reach a 14 to 15 km/l range especially on the highway. Combined with the cheaper costs of diesel in comparison to the current petrol prices, the D300 will leave your wallet in a much happier state than the V8 would.
Off-road, the Defender is a complete contrast to its soft and docile on-road behavior. It offers a Terrain Response system that will give you the ideal grip and performance no matter the terrain you find yourself in, whether it be sand, grass, mud, snow or rocky terrain, including a fully customizable option on the 2.0 version for off-roading experts. And If you are feeling even more adventurous, the wade feature will allow the Defender to go through waters of up to 0.9 m in depth. When rock crawling, the car’s lowered center of gravity will allow it to lean up to 45° without rolling over. And this is precisely in such environments that the diesel option makes a difference. Because it can give you 650 Nm of torque at 1500 to 2500 RPM, the D300 model gives you all the torque you’ll need to get through all kinds of terrains, whereas the P300 would give you 200 Nm less. Sure, this won’t be of much need if you mostly plan on driving in the city, but the Defender D300 is a no-brainer if you plan on being out and about.
Related: 2021 Land Rover Defender Off-Road Review: More Refined, More Fun, And Still A Capable 4x4
At first glance, the new Defender appears to break off from the previous generations’ harsh, angular lines. Its new silhouette is now curvier and more modernized, emphasized by the Defender’s rounder, contemporary face, with new LED headlights and square-shaped taillights that give the car a modern aesthetic. Yet when placed side by side with an older model, the new Defender’s looks are a faithful representation of the older generations, with the same rear silhouette, window frames and angular fenders.
Though the appearance of the new Defender speaks back to its predecessors, it is very much a different vehicle underneath as the chassis is now an all-new aluminum monocoque, replacing the previous ladder frame chassis.
The Defender 110 model impresses with its stature and its four door silhouette gives it a robust, complete aspect. Only about 200kg heavier than the two-door version, it offers perks that the 90 does not. The roof of the 110 holds up to 300 kg when static (just like the 90) but can carry up to 168 kg when moving, which is about 50 to 70 kg more than the 90.
The 110 has short front and rear overhangs, allowing it to have extreme off-road entry and exit angles, just like its 90 sibling. However, the lengthier wheelbase of the four-door Defender means that it has a narrower maximum ramp breakover angle of 27.8 degrees in comparison to the 90’s 31 degrees (for models with air suspension).
Though this Defender 110 remained relatively modest in terms of options, Land Rover offers a plethora of additional features for the vehicle’s exterior such as a roof rack, different types of footsteps, a small deployable ladder to access the roof and various bumper protectors, to mention a few. It is also worth noting that, while not fitted to this specific vehicle, Land Rover also offers a hard shell rooftop tent created in collaboration with Autohome, only available for the 110 models.
Gone are the days of the rough Defender interior. With its sophisticated and modern design prioritizing comfort and practicality, the new Defender’s interior is nothing short of unrecognizable. Built on what Land Rover engineers call “constructivist modular interior architecture,” the cabin is a highly practical, minimal and uncomplicated space for all occupants. This particularly shows with the magnesium crossbeam dashboard that is not only part of the Defender’s primary structure, but also works as a grab handle and has enough space for your belongings.
With the wide optional sunroof and alpine windows atop the rear seats, the cabin is luminous and remains very well-connected with the exterior landscape, which is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the Defender’s interior. Spaciousness also complements the luminosity of the cabin, which is by far one of the main advantages of the Defender 110. There is more than enough leg- and head-room and the optional third row is actually not so bad. And despite the third-row being rather tight in terms of leg space, it is almost just as comfortable as the other seats thanks to the cushioned leather and the climate that can be individually controlled for all three rows. However, only the front passengers will benefit from heated and ventilated seats. By adding more options, the driver can also enjoy a heated steering wheel, which is a blessing during cold and wet weather conditions.
In terms of tech, the Defender does not take a complicated route and stays true to its theme of a constructivist modular interior. The Defender has plenty of plugs to use from USB-C ports to an actual 3-pin socket in the trunk. At the front, the infotainment screen does a brilliant job giving both driver and front passenger all sorts of information. The state-of-the-art 360° view can actually show you the car from a 3rd person view, which allows you to exactly understand what surrounds the vehicle from each of the Defender's 3D surround cameras. The rearview mirror can also turn into a rear view display that is particularly convenient in the 110 model when a heavy load of luggage obstructs the rear window. The Defender also comes with a Meridian sound system as standard and is very much enjoyable thanks to its quiet interior; something that other off-roaders would not necessarily offer.
Last but not least, the 110 model offers loads of space when it comes to storage. The trunk provides 786 litres of storage with the 5 seat configuration and up to 1875 litres with the rear seats folded. For those opting for the 5+2 seat configuration and with the 3rd row in use, the trunk space available goes down to 160 L. As a comparison, the 90 model only offers 296 L of storage with all 5 seats and 1,263 L with the rear seats folded.
Related: 2021 Land Rover Defender: Costs, Facts, and Figures
With plenty of models and options to choose from, picking the right Defender will make a difference depending on what you plan to do with it. The Defender 110 D300 is the model that might provide you the best of both worlds. Though the 90 maybe have the most authentic Defender look with the two-tone paint and the steel rims spec, the 110 offers more trunk space and more room for passengers, which tend to be more practical for daily use, bigger families, and off-road excursions that will require loads of equipment. The diesel Defender, though not necessarily as “exciting” an option as something like the V8, will be the better ally for those who primarily look to drive their car in various types of environments.
Being so docile and uncomplicated to live with in the city, it can be hard to come to the realization that the Defender can go in some of the roughest terrains nature has to offer; but it does. It can do it all and it does it effortlessly. It provides you with everything you need without being complex. And despite the varied lifestyles Defender customers may have, it can still manage to adapt to them all, making it one of the most desirable SUVs currently available in the market.
Automotive writer and photographer based in Tokyo, Claire has joined the HotCars team in March 2022. She is a coffee and whiskey enthusiast who enjoys creating beautiful imagery to illustrate her car stories.