Land Rover revived the Defender a couple years back, giving the legendary off-road SUV a more refined driving experience and making it more livable for the everyday. The SUV gained a longer three-row variant last year, and it rolls into 2024 with a variety of configuration choices.

What’s New for the 2024 Land Rover Defender

Land Rover expanded the availability of the V8 engine for 2024 and now offers it in the three-row Defender 130. The extended 130 is also available in an Outbound trim level for the model year, trading the third-row seating for more cargo space and accessories.

Design

The new Defender's looks are vaguely reminiscent of its predecessors', but it’s not quite as boxy as earlier versions. Land Rover offers a few wheel designs and accessories that add to the SUV's off-road appeal, including side cargo boxes, two-tone paint, and rugged body cladding. Though the overall look is similar between the three body styles, the extended Defender 130 wears its size awkwardly, with the rear end hanging far off the back axle.

Powertrain

Land Rover offers a few powertrain choices for the Defender, depending on the body style and trim. The entry-level powertrain is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. An available mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six makes 395 horsepower and 406 pounds of torque, and the available 5.0-liter V8 produces 518 horsepower. Though the new Defender is unibody instead of the more off-road-friendly body-on-frame construction, it maintains its capability with available air suspension and 11.5 inches of ground clearance. That setup gives it a 35-inch water fording depth, which is greater than most rivals'.

Interior

The Defender’s cabin is somewhere between rugged and luxurious, combining nice materials and an appealing design with woodsy colors and beefy construction. The 110 and 130 bring more spacious interior accommodations, but all Defender models feature comfortable front seats with good outward visibility. The two-door Defender 90’s back seat can be difficult to access and short on legroom, but the other two four-door models are considerably plusher in the back seat.

Technology

The Defender comes standard with a 10-inch touchscreen, and an 11.4-inch unit is available. Land Rover improved its infotainment interface for 2024, updating to a new Pivi Pro system that brings more intuitive menus, responsive navigation, and a long list of features. The setup has standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, six speakers, SiriusXM radio, and more.

Safety

Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alerts, and lane-keeping assist come standard on the 2024 Defender. Land Rover also offers blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and more.

Pricing

Pricing for the 2024 Defender starts at $56,400 for the base Defender 90 S. Stepping up to the Defender 110 S pushes pricing to $60,600, and the Defender 130 S starts at $69,100. The top Defender 110 V8 Carpathian Edition starts at $118,600 before destination, options, and taxes.