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2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions
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2020 Land Rover Defender First Impressions

·
August 16,2020
·
3 min read

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Review of the All-New Land Rover Defender: A Luxury SUV for Off-Road Adventures

Introduction

After eagerly waiting to drive the all-new Land Rover Defender, the day had finally arrived. To make it even more special, we were going to take it off-road! As part of the media drive that began in Dubai and saw us drive all the way to Hatta, we drove on highways, through wadis, and across sand dunes to put this luxury SUV through its paces.

Performance

Drive

Land Rover Defender

At first glance, the comfort of the all-new Land Rover Defender is what impresses. The ride is supple, and it feels as well put together and composed as a Range Rover. The 3.0-liter supercharged powerplant delivers 400 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque, making it immensely powerful. It can hit 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, with a top speed of 208 km/h—performance figures that were not remotely possible in the older model.

Whether on sand dunes or rocky wadis, the new Defender proved itself to be a true Defender at heart. It’s more luxurious, featuring air suspension and enhanced comfort, yet it easily sails through the sand on a hot summer day and climbs every rock face thrown at it, proving it’s still a rugged SUV.

Interior Features

Interior

Defender Interior

Inside, the design of the older model has been retained, especially with the iconic A/C vents that appear to sit on top of the dashboard. The overall quality is significantly improved with constructed foam and high-quality plastics covering a large part of the cabin. While the plastic on the door panels and center console may facilitate cleaning after an adventure, it might not appeal to all luxury buyers.

In terms of technology, the team has not skimped either. The Defender is equipped with features such as:

  • Lane-keeping assist
  • Cruise control
  • Speed limiter
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Cool box
  • Sizeable infotainment screen

Quite frankly, it is just as well-equipped as any other Land Rover product, catapulting the Defender into a whole new segment.

Exterior Design

Exterior

Land Rover Defender Exterior

While the design may be a controversial point for many years to come, it is certainly different. Some say it is an acquired taste, and I would have to agree. However, it stands out on the road compared to other Land Rover products. The integration of headlights and taillights into the body gives it a futuristic touch.

Conclusion

Verdict

With a starting price of AED 209,055 and going up to AED 300,510 for the fully-optioned model in the UAE, the all-new Defender is significantly more expensive than its predecessor. A notable concern is that the Defender used to stand out in the brand’s lineup, targeting a very different clientele from luxury buyers. That is no longer the case, as the Defender is now equally capable as the Discovery, offering the same seating capacity. Will one model hinder the other's success? Only time will tell...

If you are in the market for car insurance, do check out the highest-rated insurance provider in the region, InsuranceMarket.ae™.

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