The 2022 Land Rover Defender is our winner as the best Upper Large SUV in the 2022 Drive Car of the Year awards, beating two legends in the process. This year’s tough field included the reigning champion – Nissan Patrol – and the next step in the LandCruiser story – the 300-Series.
Replacing a legend is never easy, for the design or engineering team. And yet, the new Land Rover Defender both builds on the illustrious nameplate while pointing a razor-sharp focus into the future.
Its styling is bold, but its ability both on and off-road is without peer. No other 4WD in this category can match Defender’s on-road manners and competence, with its off-road prowess and capability.
Defender is unique in this segment in that it can be had as either a SWB three-door, or a LWB five-door, in addition to the choice of petrol or diesel engines. The entry level Defender 90 P300 starts from $80,540 before on-road costs.
There’s plenty to dissect in the Defender range, with the most expensive P525 V8 starting from an eye-watering $220,530 before on-road costs. In total, there are 15 different Defender variants for buyers to choose from.
Defender offers a variety of engines too – from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder to 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol inline six-cylinder, and the range-topping 5.0-litre supercharged petrol V8.
The 3.0-litre diesel inline six-cylinder engine comes in two states of tune making either 183kW and 570Nm or 221kW and 650Nm.
Choosing the Defender that is right for you, will in most circumstances, depend on the usage case. If you’re considering crossing the Simpson Desert or heading to Cape York, then the entry-level SWB or LWB Defender with no options added, is the smart way to go.
That’s the other part of the Defender story, the options list is long and detailed. Buyers need to study it carefully, and we’d always advise choosing the options you ‘need’ rather than the options you ‘want’. And yes, there’s a big difference between the two.
Our pick of the range though, for its all-round practicality and value, is the Defender 110 P300, which starts from just under $80,000 before on-road costs and leaves you room to move with the options list. If diesel is more your style, go for the 110 SE D300, which starts from $99,980 before on-road costs.
Read more about 2022 Drive Car of the Year Upper Large SUV.
Read about all other 2022 Drive Car of the Year categories and winners.
See all Land Rover Defender in stock.
Keyword: 2022 Land Rover Defender Buyers Guide