Land Rover Defender Review | Part Five

According to Land Rover's press literature 'today's Defender is a product of a controlled evolution' and we couldn't agree more. The defender is the workhorse of the Land Rover range that combines utilitarian simplicity with rugged, dependable off-road ability.

Comfort is not a word that is synonymous with the Land Rover Defender however, the 90 XS Station Wagon is equipped with part leather heated seats, electric windows, air conditioning, heated front and rear window, remote central locking and a stereo radio & single slot CD player with 4 speakers.

Head room is excellent in the front and rear although leg room is limited. The seats are well padded and comfortable and the drivers seat has adjustment for both recline and leg length but not height. The large leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob are both chunky and tactile.

A novel feature of the Defender are the fresh air vents which are positioned in the dasboard and once open are a great way to get air into the vehicle. Although it is a little nerve racking to see the road through the dashboard as you are driving along.

The Land Rover Defender is a style icon and with the introduction of the XS model Land Rover have given the ultimate 4x4 a makeover incorporating a distinctive silver metallic 'brunel' grille and headlamp surrounds, side runners, 'boost' alloy wheels, tinted glass, rear folding step, smoked front indicators & side repeaters and body coloured wheel arches.

The interior styling is basic and the switchgear although functional is more agricultural than design led.

With the introduction of the XS model Land Rover have injected a little luxury into the Defender which features black part leather heated seats, 'brunel' coloured switch panel and black carpet throughout.

The Defender 90 XS Station Wagon is equipped with a stereo radio & single slot CD player with 4 speakers as standard. The sound quality was good and the acoustics seemed particularly suited to the large box-shaped cabin.

• Unrivalled

• Image
• Off-road ability
• High seating position
• Performance
• Styling

• Lack of air-bags
• Dated interior
• Difficulty in using dual-range transfer box

• Air-bags
• Terrain Response™ as seen on the Land Rover Discovery 3