Surely this is a press vehicle so is just showcasing what is possible when optioning one up? I’m sure they’d have put more suitable off road tyres on if you mentioned you wanted to go off road in it. Mostly these will be used on road anyway where people will prefer road biased tyres. Can be easily swapped over or even having a spare set of wheels and tyres if required often. But maybe people want a roof rack, storage boxes etc without leaving the road at all, no?
You’re far too optimistic about the state of press cars in Canada. I’m chalking this one up to absurd product planning. Snorkels and all seasons go together like mustard on Pop Tarts.
@brian I'm a bit late to this one. Your take on the spec - twice! - was highly amusing. And, JLR sending this to you in winter... in Canada... with all-season tires seems a bit daffy. But maybe you could use the snorkel if you went through the ice near the Chateau Laurier while in the beavertail drive-thru. Keep the goodness coming!
Thanks for the review. Hopefully you get to drive a different variant offroad 🙂. Curious to know your opinion on the comparison between the defender and the LR4. I feel I can get an HSE Lux which wouldn't cost me that much!
Thanks, Karim. We were so close to driving one on my California trails, but timing didn't work on my last trip. Shame, but hopefully when I get back there we'll line it up. I haven't driven an LR4 in years, so I can't comment.
Nice to see the Defender finally in your hands, Brian. A few notes in addition, as I've driven it twice now, to see if it was a possible replacement at some point for my Range Rover Sport: Agree 100% on the seats, very flat and unsupportive, plus some questionable canvassy fabric, big step back from my RRS. Too bad you couldn't have gone off-road, or at least on some bad condition roads, since the tradeoff for its slightly tippy handling is amazing suspension travel and control over huge bumps, potholes, boulders etc. Just gives the impression it does not care a bit what you're driving over, very impressive combined with LR's excellent traction management as you noted. My RRS will do most of that, but with a few more clunks and complaints and needs more driver care... the tradeoff for its better on-road behaviour. In the end, my off-road needs, mostly prairie backroads, are not gnarly enough to justify the swap and the loss of my RRS' handling and interior quality.
Thanks, C! I definitely appreciate why you’ll keep your Sport. Love that truck. Last one I drove was mega. With this Defender, I would have gotten it stuck at my favourite local trails and I really don’t need that headache!
I would argue that this car has the best storage in the front of any vehicle on the market right now. Interesting to hear you say it's awkward and nonsensical.
Great review Brian, I like this vehicle a lot, but I don’t trust JLR reliability. I’m concerned that with the turbo and supercharger along with the air ride system that it’s going to be in the shop all the time. I’m looking for a replacement for my 4Runner, but don’t know if this is the one or not.
Thanks, Lee. After that 4Runner TRD Pro last summer, I love the idea of one of those with a supercharger. It’s a bad idea, but I love the idea anyway. This motor in the Defender is a volume piece and I’d like to think it’ll be good long term. I’d also rather have a steel suspension, but it’s not possible here. Hopefully in the future.
It is definitely a good looking vehicle, which i think will be mostly used on road. As such it’s competition may be more a Grand Cherokee competitor than a Wrangler or 4-Runner or soon a Bronco. The engine and electrics scare me, but really good for leasing. I think I take a Grand Cherokee over it and those come in so many configurations from outdoorsy to performance to luxurious.
Land Rovers are junk now, they have terrible reliability issues, I would be amazed if this review didn't need a service call, overly priced poorly engineered junk.
I have had land Rovers for last couple of decades ,and I am picking up a new defender X at the end of February . I have never been left stranded with the old disco 1 disco2 old defender 110 Range Rover lr3 and 4 . Yes the pricing is not exactly cheap but I really don’t care what it costs . I care more about what I want and not what it costs.
Awesome video as always
Thanks!
The snorkel is not for water crossings. It is a air intake facing in reverse for desert or sand. It has 900 mm of wade depth as standard.
Zzzzzzzzz
Surely this is a press vehicle so is just showcasing what is possible when optioning one up?
I’m sure they’d have put more suitable off road tyres on if you mentioned you wanted to go off road in it. Mostly these will be used on road anyway where people will prefer road biased tyres. Can be easily swapped over or even having a spare set of wheels and tyres if required often.
But maybe people want a roof rack, storage boxes etc without leaving the road at all, no?
You’re far too optimistic about the state of press cars in Canada. I’m chalking this one up to absurd product planning. Snorkels and all seasons go together like mustard on Pop Tarts.
I completely agree, that off-road pack is not for a daily driver unless you’re living in Alaska or something.
And then you still need decent tires!
@@BrianMakse yep, I’m sure they would suggest off road tires, not sure why anyone would have that package with street tires.
@brian I'm a bit late to this one. Your take on the spec - twice! - was highly amusing. And, JLR sending this to you in winter... in Canada... with all-season tires seems a bit daffy. But maybe you could use the snorkel if you went through the ice near the Chateau Laurier while in the beavertail drive-thru. Keep the goodness coming!
Thanks, Cameron! I should have tried a little float in Lake Ontario with that snorkel!
Thanks for the review. Hopefully you get to drive a different variant offroad 🙂. Curious to know your opinion on the comparison between the defender and the LR4. I feel I can get an HSE Lux which wouldn't cost me that much!
Thanks, Karim. We were so close to driving one on my California trails, but timing didn't work on my last trip. Shame, but hopefully when I get back there we'll line it up. I haven't driven an LR4 in years, so I can't comment.
Here's why I don't worry bout those tires. You are going to spend close to 80G us, I think you can afford off road tires.
You missed the point.
Is the gas cap door lockable?
Locks when you lock the car
Nice to see the Defender finally in your hands, Brian. A few notes in addition, as I've driven it twice now, to see if it was a possible replacement at some point for my Range Rover Sport: Agree 100% on the seats, very flat and unsupportive, plus some questionable canvassy fabric, big step back from my RRS. Too bad you couldn't have gone off-road, or at least on some bad condition roads, since the tradeoff for its slightly tippy handling is amazing suspension travel and control over huge bumps, potholes, boulders etc. Just gives the impression it does not care a bit what you're driving over, very impressive combined with LR's excellent traction management as you noted. My RRS will do most of that, but with a few more clunks and complaints and needs more driver care... the tradeoff for its better on-road behaviour. In the end, my off-road needs, mostly prairie backroads, are not gnarly enough to justify the swap and the loss of my RRS' handling and interior quality.
Thanks, C! I definitely appreciate why you’ll keep your Sport. Love that truck. Last one I drove was mega. With this Defender, I would have gotten it stuck at my favourite local trails and I really don’t need that headache!
I would argue that this car has the best storage in the front of any vehicle on the market right now. Interesting to hear you say it's awkward and nonsensical.
Great review Brian, I like this vehicle a lot, but I don’t trust JLR reliability. I’m concerned that with the turbo and supercharger along with the air ride system that it’s going to be in the shop all the time. I’m looking for a replacement for my 4Runner, but don’t know if this is the one or not.
Thanks, Lee. After that 4Runner TRD Pro last summer, I love the idea of one of those with a supercharger. It’s a bad idea, but I love the idea anyway. This motor in the Defender is a volume piece and I’d like to think it’ll be good long term. I’d also rather have a steel suspension, but it’s not possible here. Hopefully in the future.
lol at 9:40
That side locker box is ugly.
And loud on the highway, too!
Sweet
My Lottery Win SUV. I Can Dream, Can't I? (smile)
It is definitely a good looking vehicle, which i think will be mostly used on road. As such it’s competition may be more a Grand Cherokee competitor than a Wrangler or 4-Runner or soon a Bronco. The engine and electrics scare me, but really good for leasing. I think I take a Grand Cherokee over it and those come in so many configurations from outdoorsy to performance to luxurious.
Bronco will be interesting, for sure, but this will always have the edge with power and design.
thats a freelander
LOL wut u smoking today?
Land Rovers are junk now, they have terrible reliability issues, I would be amazed if this review didn't need a service call, overly priced poorly engineered junk.
It didn’t.
I have had land Rovers for last couple of decades ,and I am picking up a new defender X at the end of February . I have never been left stranded with the old disco 1 disco2 old defender 110 Range Rover lr3 and 4 . Yes the pricing is not exactly cheap but I really don’t care what it costs . I care more about what I want and not what it costs.
Driven the last 200000miles in modern land rovers, always got home under their own power
Bret-you should probably drive one or own one. They are remarkable.