First Drive: 2020 Land Rover Defender Pilots Adventure
Classic off-roader reborn with refinement
The storied Land Rover Defender established a reputation as the British solution for off-road challenges. A simple, rugged machine, the Defender could traverse any highland territory, but it was not well suited to a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Enter the new, modern Defender that feels more like an heir to the LR3 and LR4 dynasty than a sequel to the original military-inspired Defender.
This new version of Land Rover’s go-anywhere SUV has modern styling, a choice of a four- or six-cylinder engine, two- and four-door body types, a number of seating configurations, and a comprehensive list of trail-ready features. Unlike the original Defender, last sold here in the 1990s, the new one has a unibody design and fully independent suspension, like many of today’s SUVs, rather than a trucklike body-on-frame construction and solid axles.
What we bought: Land Rover Defender 110 SE
Powertrain: 395-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder; 8-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel drive
MSRP: $62,250
Options: $1,750 panoramic roof; $1,630 towing package; $1,020 driver assist package with adaptive cruise control; $710 Pangea Green paint; $700 cold climate package; $500 heated rear seats; $500 14-way heated front seats; $300 SiriusXM satellite radio.
Total options: $7,110
Destination fee: $1,350
Total cost: $70,710
