2023 Land Rover Defender 130 First Edition test drive review

2023 brought some exciting new cars to the market, one being the elongated Land Rover Defender — the Defender 130. This eight-passenger SUV has style, rugged versatility and exceptional performance in spades all for a relatively affordable price. There’s no question it’s one of the most unique and eye-catching vehicles we’ve ever tested, as evidenced by the many turned heads as we drove by. If you’ve been looking for a chic and rugged family-hauler that stands out from the crowd, you’ll be pleased with the new Land Rover Defender 130.

Curious about the 2023 Land Rover Defender? Check it out on KSL Cars.

Price and Value 

The Defender 130 isn’t cheap, but given its levels of luxury, capability, and style, we were surprised it wasn’t more expensive. The MSRP range for the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is $69,100-$116,600. It is available in seven trim levels, with a suite of standard features that include a Meridian sound system, leather seat facings and 19-inch wheels. 

The First Edition 130 is a great value when compared to an optioned-out SE. The First Edition includes a silver exterior appearance package, silver 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, 14-way powered heated and cooled Windsor leather front seats, heated second and third-row seats, four-zone climate control, a refrigerated center console and adaptive cruise control. 

For a full list of trims and their differences, click here. 

Performance 

While our tester wasn’t the top-tier performance V8 version, we were very impressed with the Defender’s power and punch. It was effortless to drive around town and on the freeway, and has all the grunt you’ll need off the beaten path. There’s a myriad of off-road programming, too, so if taking a near $100,000 rig with 22-inch wheels into the mountains is your idea of fun, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.

Engine 

The supercharged and turbocharged inline six-cylinder pumps out 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and boy is it fun. It’s very responsive with almost no lag on its power delivery. It sounds good, too, even initially fooling our ears that it could be a V8. It’s a genuinely excellent powerplant and will have you smiling and confident in its authoritative ability to get you where you need to go. 

Fuel Efficiency

No surprise here, given its massive heft and all the turbo and supercharging going on, but the Defender 130’s fuel economy isn’t great. The EPA estimates 17 mpg in the city, 21 on the highway and 19 combined. We averaged just over 18 mpg during our week of testing. 

Drivetrain 

The Defender’s long been renowned for its off-road prowess, and that tradition continues here, even in its extended form. All-wheel drive with a twin-speed transfer box is standard, as is Terrain Response with selectable driving and off-road modes. The ZF 8-speed transmission is smooth and intuitive. Overall, the Defender felt planted, capable and smooth in its drivetrain components and we’re sure would perform well in the snow when fitted with winter tires. 

Acceleration and Handling 

The Defender with its P400 six-cylinder powertrain absolutely rips with the peddle mashed. Even with more moderate throttle inputs, the engine always feels eager to play — like a dog pulling at the leash. Car and Driver clocked it from 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, but it feels faster than that. There’s no doubting the power there. 

Handling was likewise very pleasant and drove smaller than it really is. We’d feel comfortable parking this in some areas that larger SUVs would otherwise feel too unwieldy in. 

Braking 

Braking was also smooth, linear and powerful — a must if you’re driving something this large. Car and Driver cited its exceptional panic-breaking ability, slowing from 70 mph to a stop in just 167 feet. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection is standard. Shop 2023 Land Rover Defender models.

Interior Comfort and Convenience 

Continuing with the “refined rugged” theme, the new Defender’s interior is unlike any other on the market today. We loved the mix of materials and upscale approach to a historically off-road-oriented vehicle, but some might find it not as premium nor utilitarian as one might expect from the price tag. Regardless, we really enjoyed our time in the cabin, as it has an undeniable special quality to it that feels like a stand out among the competition. 

Seats 

They’re not the coziest we’ve experienced. The front seats (and their wonderful heated and ventilated functionality) were comfortable enough, if just a bit flat in their bolstering. The second row was plenty spacious for our kids, and the third row (also heated) was decently roomy, even for two adults. Three adults would be a stretch. The Defender 130 is capable of hauling eight people, for short distances, provided you’re not carrying gear or luggage. Two passengers in each row is ideal. 

Climate Control 

As with the many other unique touches of the Defender, the center stack is full of quirks. Most notably, the climate control requires several button pushes that most drivers won’t be used to, and the shifter is mounted on the dash, protruding out in a bent “L” shape. None of these oddities were terribly difficult to get used to and charmed us as we spent more time with them.

Cargo Space and Cabin Storage 

For the 130, Land Rover took the stretched taffy approach to the 110 to give it more third row and cargo space. As expected, both of those aspects have been increased in the 130. However, with the third row up, cargo space is very limited. There’s enough room for a medium-sized grocery run, but not much more. Fold the third row flat, and you’re treated to a vast amount of cargo room. 

Cabin storage is decent, but there are not as many cubbies and compartments as in some of the competition. 

Infotainment System 

Our First Edition tester came with the Defender’s new 11.4-inch Pivi Pro display and a crystal-clear digital gauge cluster. The infotainment screen is easy to reach, but some of the menus and functionality were a bit convoluted. We mostly stuck to Apple CarPlay. Shop 2023 Land Rover Defender models.

Exterior Appearance and Functionality 

The Defender 130 looks just like the 110, albeit with a stretched bottom that potential customers will love, get used to or double over laughing at. Its large rear overhang is hard to ignore, but so is the rest of the Defender, which is very striking. Simply put, it’s one of the most unique-looking vehicles on the market and will capture the attention of onlookers that other SUVs can only dream of. It’s rugged, luxurious, posh, stylish and brutish — and we couldn’t get enough of it. 

Towing Capacity 

With all that power we fell in love with comes an 8,200-pound towing capacity. Plenty for moving toys, small trailers and other adventure gear. 

Wheels 

The First Edition comes standard with 20-inch wheels, but our tester came with optional 22-inch wheels. While the large wheels didn’t seem to impact ride quality much, the 20-inch wheels are more in line with off-road antics than the 22-inch beauties are.   

Lights and Turn Signals 

The LED headlights and taillights in the Defender were some of our favorite exterior features. Circular in the front, square in the back, very cool to look at, especially at night. 

Cameras and Visibility 

The 360-degree 3D surround camera was excellent and made parking this big rig a breeze. Visibility was pretty good, mostly thanks to the large rectangular windows. But given its length, you’ll be especially grateful for its blind spot monitoring and high-resolution cameras. Shop 2023 Land Rover Defender models.

Safety 

The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 hasn’t been officially rated by the usual crash test outlets, but its sturdy construction and long list of modern safety features provide a robust feeling of security. Some of those features include: 

• Blind Spot Assist

• Lane Keep Assist 

• Driver Condition Monitor

• Rear Traffic Monitor

For a full list of safety features click here. 

Final Impression 

There’s really nothing else quite like it on the market, at least for this price point. To us, it's 70 percent luxury, 30 percent rugged. It’s stylish, comfortable, capable and utterly unique. It’s capable of hauling the whole family and looks like nothing else on the road. You’ll immediately become the coolest person in the carpool pickup line. 

The First Edition was a solid deal, and if you can find one, we’d say go for it. It offers many luxury items for a better deal than a similar spec SE model, making it a no-brainer. We especially loved ours in white with the bright appearance package.

Find your next Land Rover Defender 130 on KSL Cars. 

FAQs 

Is the Defender 130 fun to drive? 

Yes. Its speed and sound are unexpectedly awesome, and its looks will have you feeling cooler than you really are. 

Is it good for families? 

Yes and no. It’s excellent at hauling people. But, if you have gear to haul, and you’re using the third row, you will definitely need a rooftop carrier. 

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KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.

About the author: Having owned everything from a DeLorean to an E46 BMW M3 and a Toyota Land Cruiser, Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, automotive journalist, and social media manager. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press where he serves on the Board of Directors. Contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com