Back in 2020, the Land Rover Defender returned to the North American market after a 20-plus-year absence, switching to an integrated bodywork and independent suspension. The Defender has long been a paragon of the off-roader SUV, with the 130 model having the longest wheelbase available at 127″ (thus giving the name to its predecessor, the 127). And now, the British marque has unveiled its longest Defender yet.
Increasing the overall length from 204″ to 211″ in total length, the new 2023 Defender 130 actually shortens the wheelbase to 119″, but significantly increases interior space. Now able to seat eight passengers over three rows, the SUV becomes the perfect choice for larger families who like to adventure together, maintaining the model’s signature off-road capabilities in the process. The extra 13.38″ gives us a total of 88.9 cubic feet of maximum load capacity. With all three rows fully in use, the vehicle still allows for 13.7 cubic feet of luggage capacity, which extends to 43.5 if the last row is folded down.
The technology on the new Defender is state of the art as well, with four-zone climate control, an advanced air purification system, and Pivi Pro touchscreen6 as the central hub for the car’s interior functions and entertainment, which also boasts an impressive navigational system, what3words, which can send you to any 3m square on Earth without the need for a cellphone signal. Power comes from a choice of turbocharged 3.0L I6 engines, with the top-level P400 Ingenium mild-hybrid powerplant offering 395hp, 406 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds.
The Defender 130 comes in three colorways: Fuji White, Carpathian Grey, and the exclusive Sedona Red. It’s expected to arrive this summer from Land Rover and is priced from $68,000.
