Land Rover Defender 110 | A question of priority

Five years after its release, the Defender seeks at all costs to remain in the spotlight. To do this, Land Rover's strategists multiply the variants of this utility. These join the lifestyle of its users, but hardly help to solve the energy and environmental issues that we face.

Time passes, but the Defender has kept the freshness of its beginnings. But only visually. From a technical point of view, it is a completely different story. The Anglo-Indian brand (the firm Tata owns it) is struggling for a host of reasons to make its vehicles less heavy and less energy-consuming. Of course, an electrified version of the Range Rover is expected at the turn, but what about other products in the range?

For the time being, the Defender 90, 110 and 130 remain impermeable to any change. The mechanics of yesterday are the same today. Including the 5 -liter V8. Since you have to choose, the 3-liter six-cylinder represents the engine to favor. Its consumption and emissions compare itself very advantageously to those of the four-cylinder (see our paintings) and, above all, it allows you to move this heavy utility with more ease. To help him do the work, the first report of the box may appear to you rather short, but the staging of the other seven is much more fluid.

A true beast of sum, the Defender 110 is not afraid of much. He manages to tow a load of 3500 kg, to transport up to seven people on board, to dive into the fords or to climb (and also descend) the most steep slopes. He does not back down in front of any challenge, except one. To consume the petrol (super) more moderately and, in doing so, the pollution it generates in its path.

If its off -road prowess cannot be disputed, the Defender does not arouse the same enthusiasm on a daily basis.

It must be recognized that this inertia that we experience at the wheel gives a feeling of well-being rather than frustration. The Defender can jump over his suspensions, but, at his orders, nothing seems to be pressing. And that's good. We will then be sorry for the apathy of the direction, the dodeling of the body on bad coatings or the pain that he experiences in the quick sequences of turns.

Unparalleled atmosphere

Let us remember the raised driving position which is not as much as it is believed. It is rather the furniture which is anchored lower than usual. Without forgetting the attentions brought to detail like this trench which saws longitudinally on practically all its width the dashboard to accommodate menu objects. The storage is numerous and functional.

Less practical is the infotainment screen which here represents an important source of distraction and forces to leave the road your eyes too frequently. Irregular, slow and unnecessarily complex. And to top it all, certain commands of the air conditioning and heating system have a double function.

Rather cleared, the places allow to comfortably transport four people.

As an option, the buyer has the choice of a 5 + 2 configuration. The 2 defines here the integration of two strapontines for two (small) occasional passengers. These have, like the bench, a seat without relief and a flat file like a pancake. Regardless of the number of occupants, all are invited to climb on board, as the walking is high.

The loading surface to which is accessed by a door as heavy as that of a safe unfortunately opens in the wrong direction (sidewalk side). And let's not forget this spare wheel in shoulder which considerably hinders the visibility towards the rear. Another disappointment, space, although cubic, is rather narrow and invites to spend on exterior luggage racks and the separation grid. Good news: all are on the list of optional accessories that your dealer willtere to scroll before your eyes.