[Test Drive] The Off-Roader Icon Shines Brighter on Rough Mountain Trails... Land Rover 'All New Defender'

Exterior Combining 1st Generation Design with Modern Sensibility
Handles Gravel and Mud Roads Easily... On-Road Performance Also 'Beyond Expectations'

Land Rover All New Defender (Photo by Jaguar Land Rover Korea)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Vehicles branded as off-roaders are gradually increasing in South Korea as well. This is due to the expanded range of outdoor activities and the rise in people enjoying new lifestyles such as car camping and camping amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to an expected increase in demand. Land Rover has also joined this lineup, leading with the Defender, long regarded worldwide as the epitome of a traditional off-roader. This is the first time the Defender has been launched domestically.

The newly introduced 'All-New Defender' is the second-generation model. The first-generation Defender maintained steady popularity for decades with little change but was discontinued in 2015 due to stricter environmental regulations. On the 23rd of last month, I had the opportunity to test drive the new Defender, which features a modern design and powerful performance.

The exterior inherits the traditional design identity of the first generation while adding a modern touch. Whereas the previous model emphasized straight lines to highlight its ruggedness as an off-roader, the new model softens the edges by rounding the corners, reducing the overly angular impression. Elements reminiscent of the original Defender, such as round circular headlamps, a raised bonnet, and short overhangs, remain present throughout. The vehicle's length and width are 5018 mm and 1996 mm respectively, with a notably high height of 1967 mm.

Land Rover All New Defender (Photo by Jaguar Land Rover Korea)

The side profile accentuates the vehicle's angular shape even more compared to the front. This characteristic naturally continues to the rear, highlighted by square-shaped rear lamps. The spare tire positioned centrally at the rear gives a finishing touch to the Defender's off-road character.

It also offers ample cargo space essential for outdoor activities. The trunk can hold 1075 liters of luggage, and folding down the second-row seats expands the capacity up to 2380 liters.

The interior is clean and straightforward without any unnecessary elements. The Defender's off-road specialization is clearly felt. A standout feature is the exposed 'cross car beam,' a structural element running across the front seat center fascia, integrated into the interior design. This exposed structural interior creates a fresh yet solid impression. Bold straight lines are used from the driver's seat to the passenger seat, but the design is not crude.

Land Rover All New Defender Interior (Photo by Jaguar Land Rover Korea)

The 10-inch infotainment display is also satisfying in terms of response speed, visibility, and operability. It provides T-map navigation in collaboration with SK Telecom, which is surprisingly advanced compared to navigation systems typically installed in imported car models. Below it are physical buttons for driving modes, climate control, and ride height adjustment, alleviating any sense of emptiness.

The main event of the test drive was a course climbing and descending the famous mountain, Yumyeongsan. The new Defender is powered by an Ingenium 2.0L 4-cylinder diesel engine delivering a maximum output of 240 horsepower and peak torque of 43.9 kg·m. It features an 8-speed ZF transmission and a 2-speed transfer case for precise control. Despite the rough gravel, rocks, and fairly deep muddy paths that lasted over 30 minutes?described as untouched for 10 years?the vehicle handled the terrain effortlessly. Even on gravel-covered uphill slopes, maintaining a steady pace without pressing the accelerator harder was enough to pass. Initial concerns about the rough mountain paths eased as confidence in the vehicle grew with continued driving.

The Defender can raise its ground clearance by 75 mm for off-road driving. Under extreme off-road conditions, it can extend an additional 70 mm to a maximum of 145 mm. The fully automatic Terrain Response system allows selection of modes such as Comfort, Eco, Snow, Mud, Sand, Rock, and Wade depending on the terrain. Narrow paths or obstacle-laden sections can be navigated delicately using the 'ClearSight Ground View,' which clearly illuminates the area beneath and around the vehicle, along with sensors.

Land Rover All New Defender (Photo by Jaguar Land Rover Korea)

On steep slopes, there is a function that allows safe descent without braking. A slow speed within a certain range is maintained, and the driver can adjust this range according to the situation.

One particularly impressive aspect while traversing the rough mountain paths was the stability. Although both the vehicle and driver inevitably shook due to the extremely rough surface, the actual sense of instability or fatigue was not significant. Land Rover developed and applied a new aluminum D7x platform for the new Defender. This lightweight aluminum monocoque structure, described as 'the most robust in Land Rover history,' dispels the prejudice that monocoque structures lack rigidity. Instead, it reduces the impact transmitted inside, allowing comfortable enjoyment of rough terrain driving.

After the off-road test drive, I briefly tested the on-road performance on regular roads. Despite being a traditional off-road vehicle, it does not disappoint on paved roads. It delivers strong acceleration and maintains stability by gripping the road firmly even during sharp cornering. It also cushions impacts well when passing speed bumps, providing a ride comfort comparable to sedans. According to the company, the Adaptive Dynamics system uses continuously variable damping capable of adjusting up to 500 times per second to control the body and minimize rolling.

Land Rover All New Defender (Photo by Jaguar Land Rover Korea)

Land Rover has initially released only the mid-sized 110 model of the new Defender in South Korea. Three trims are available, with prices ranging from 85.9 million to 91.8 million KRW.