Review: The 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 is a cool, stylish and capable SUV

The 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 is more than just a luxury SUV. It’s an off-road icon and a definitive lifestyle statement. As we said in our Defender 130 review, it does an excellent job combining rugged capability with plenty of modern and luxurious touches — albeit in unique, endearing British ways. 

Truly, the Defender aims to be as comfortable and practical on city streets as it is capable off the beaten path, and it largely succeeds. So, what is it like to live with? KSL Cars spent a week with one to find out.

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Photo courtesy Land Rover Media Center

The pros

Impressive off-road prowess

There are a lot of luxurious SUVs these days, but there are only a few we’d consider taking on some serious off-road adventuring, and the Land Rover Defender 110 is probably at the top of that list. Its impressive ground clearance, configurable Terrain Response system and intelligent all-wheel drive system make it a competent adventure machine — while also looking drop-dead gorgeous in the mall parking lot or Swig drive-thru line. 

But seriously, if you want a swanky, attractive, unique and luxurious family hauling SUV, but legitimately need some confidence climbing steep trails or crawling over rocks, the Defender does it all very, very well. 

Modern, luxurious interior

We’ve driven a few Defenders, and we always love the interior. It’s a stylish blend of ruggedness and refinement. High-quality materials such as leather, metal and thick rubber all feel upscale and practical, and the minimalist design cues give it a thoroughly modern vibe. Our favorite feature is the dashboard shelf that runs almost the entire dash width. It looks good and is super useful for storing items such as sunglasses and phones.

Honestly, the Defender’s interior may not feel quite as luxurious as you might expect given the price tag, but remember this is also an adventure vehicle. To that end, we think the interior offers the best of both worlds. 

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Photo courtesy Land Rover Media Center

Standout styling

As has always been the case for the Defender, it’s a visual knockout. The Defender’s boxy, retro-inspired design legitimately turns heads everywhere you go. It’s utterly unique and almost looks more expensive than it is. From its LED circular headlight accents to its upright stance, it’s all a nostalgic nod to the classic Defenders of the past, with plenty of modern twists that feel fresh and bold, even though this generation has been around for a few years. 

Our tester was equipped with the Country Pack, which includes additional adventure goodies and our favorite, white-painted steel wheels on all-terrain tires and white-painted roof. It’s a package I wouldn’t go without, even just for the looks — especially when paired with the stunning Tasman Blue paint. The Defender has a presence few other SUVs have, and for some buyers, that feature alone will be worth the price of admission. 

Photo courtesy Land Rover Media Center

Confidence on the road

One of our favorite things about the Defender has always been how well it scoots. It’s quick. Our tester had the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 cylinder motor that produces 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It’s a joy to drive. It’s responsive, powerful and confidence inspiring. We love our Kia Telluride, but after a week in the Defender, we definitely missed the power we had grown accustomed to. 

Despite its off-road roots, the Defender handles exceptionally well as a pavement princess. The ride is smooth and comfortable, especially with the optional adaptive air suspension, and it soaks up bumps with ease. While it may not be as sporty as some of its competitors, the Defender certainly makes up for it in charm. It's well composed and is enjoyable to drive daily. 

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Photo courtesy Land Rover Media Center

The cons

Fuel economy

As much as we enjoyed the Defender, its powerful engine, boxy shape and heavy weight inevitably took a toll on its gas-sipping. Our week of combined driving reflected just over 15 mpg — a far cry from the 18 mpg combined estimated rating. But that power is sure nice to have, and the poor fuel economy might be a worthy sacrifice. 

Wonky infotainment and dashboard interface

We tried, we really did, but we never could warm up to the infotainment system. There are a lot of submenus to navigate, and even connecting to Apple CarPlay proved difficult. Additionally, the font could be more prominent and easier to read at a glance. However, the display is sharp and beautifully integrated into the dash. 

Another knock against the dash were the buttons. Some were hard to press and others were hard to find, requiring multiple presses to select what we needed, such as the temperature.

Pricey options

Land Rovers are known for their extensive options lists, and the Defender is no different. Our tester started at just under $68,000, but after adding options such as the Tasman Blue paint, the Air Suspension Pack, the Off-Road Pack and other niceties, it totaled over $82,000 — not cheap. But again, it is one of the most unique, stylish looking and off-road capable SUVs on the market. From that perspective, it actually could be a great value. 

Photo courtesy Land Rover Media Center

Electrical quirks

As much as we’ve loved the Defenders we’ve tested, there is no denying that some odd electrical gremlins like to surface. For example, the infotainment screen would occasionally not turn on at all. Other times, the side mirrors wouldn’t unfold. It’s a little quirky, but thankfully, those issues didn’t persist. 

Final thoughts

Living with the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 was a fun, enjoyable experience. We loved driving it around town and up to Park City, commuting to work and running errands. It’s a great daily driver, and our two kids had plenty of space in the rear seat. It’s super versatile and looks so cool doing all it does. It’s honestly a great blend of luxury and ruggedness that makes it an appealing choice for many individuals and families. 

If you’re OK with mediocre fuel economy and some potential electrical quirks, the Defender 110 is worth your consideration. If you’re seeking a capable adventure vehicle that doesn’t skimp on comfort or style, the Defender is a great match. 

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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.