- A Stretched-Out Exterior
- Interior Fits Eight Plus More Cargo
- Bigger Tech, Cleaner Air
- Off-Road Capability
- Powertrain: Six-Cylinders Only
- Trims, Pricing and Release Date
Competes with: BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Looks like: A longer version of the Defender 110
Powertrains: 296-horsepower (P300) or 395-hp (P400), 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder; eight-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: TBD; orders open now
The Land Rover Defender was resurrected for 2020 as an off-road-ready SUV that doubles as a luxury daily driver but slots below the more opulent Range Rover in the lineup. For 2023, the Defender gets stretched to accommodate up to eight occupants with the addition of the three-row Defender 130. It isn’t the first Defender to offer three rows of seats — the 110 comes with an optional third row — but its extended length hints at a more comfortable experience in the wayback for off-roading families.
The Defender 130 offers similar on- and off-road capability to its shorter counterparts but comes with updated styling and tech features as well as a new First Edition trim. And unlike the 90 and 110 models, which let shoppers choose between three powertrains (including a new supercharged V-8), the engine options for the three-row Defender 130 are limited to two versions of a six-cylinder mild hybrid.
A Stretched-Out Exterior
In order to accommodate the additional occupant space, the Defender 130 was stretched by 13.4 inches over the four-door Defender 110 to a total length of 211 inches. Its wheelbase and turning circle remain unchanged, however, at 119 inches and 42.1 feet, respectively. Another feature that distinguishes the Defender 130 is an extended rear overhang that helps make room for the third row and increases cargo space.
Additional changes to the Defender’s exterior are minor, including a new Sedona Red paint color exclusively available for the 130 and new taillight surrounds. An Extended Bright Pack appearance package is also available and adds silver lower-body cladding and wheel arches, plus chrome skid plates.
Interior Fits Eight Plus More Cargo
Inside is where the Defender 130 stands apart from the 110: The SUV’s standard three-row seating configuration comes with a 2+3+3 arrangement instead of the 110 model’s standard two rows and optional third row, which we found cramped, uncomfortable and best left for smaller occupants. It also compromised the SUV’s cargo space in our testing. According to Land Rover, the 130’s longer body makes room for more occupant space as well as easier access to the third row. Cargo space behind the third row grows from 10.7 cubic feet in the Defender 110 to 15.3 cubic feet based on the brand’s measurements, which are distinct from Cars.com’s cargo evaluation. To make getting into the third row easier, the second-row seats slide and fold forward.
In addition to the extended space, the third row offers available creature comforts such as heated seats, storage spaces, padded armrests and USB-C ports; ventilation is also offered in each of the SUV’s three rows. An available four-zone climate control system can be found in the 130 that’s not yet offered on other Defenders, and a panoramic moonroof comes standard with a separate moonroof above the third row.
New interior trim options are available for the 130, including chrome detailing and a new natural light oak engineered wood that can be paired with the SUV’s existing Light Oyster Perforated Windsor leather seat trim. Other interior options include Vintage Tan Perforated Windsor leather or a two-tone fabric in X-Dynamic SE models.
Bigger Tech, Cleaner Air
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 | Manufacturer image
A 10.25-inch standard touchscreen comes standard in the 130, up from the 10-inch display in the base Defender 110. An upgraded 11.4-inch curved touchscreen is available or standard on the top trim. To make navigation simpler, the Defender 130 uses a new what3words system that divides maps into a grid of squares to reduce the hassle of finding a new destination even in remote locations.
While the Defender 130 is meant to get dirty, a new cabin air purification system debuts in order to keep the air clean inside. The system monitors air quality inside and out to reduce allergens, odors and viruses; a Purge function allows drivers to start the cleaning process remotely from a smartphone before entering the vehicle.
Off-Road Capability
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 | Manufacturer image
According to Land Rover, the SUV’s larger size won’t compromise its off-road chops. All 130 models come with a standard intelligent AWD system designed to optimize power distribution to the front and rear axles for on and off-road trips. Like other Defenders, the 130 gets an electronic air suspension and an advanced terrain response system. The electronic air suspension offers up to 16.9 inches of articulation plus 2.8 inches in off-road height for navigating off-pavement obstacles. The 130 gets a wading depth of 35.4 to match its shorter counterparts and its approach, departure and breakover angles measure 37.5, 28.5 and 27.8 degrees, respectively.
Powertrain: Six-Cylinders Only
Defender 130 shoppers can choose from two mild-hybrid 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engines: a base P300 that makes 296 horsepower and 347 pounds-feet of torque, or a more potent P400 shared with the 90 and 110 that makes 395 hp and 406 pounds-feet. An eight-speed automatic transmission is the sole transmission. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and the 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 found on the Defender 90 and 110 are not yet available for the 130.
According to Land Rover, the P300 carries the SUV from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, while the P400’s 0-60 time drops to 6.3 seconds — a fraction slower than the Defender 110’s 5.8 seconds. Although the Defender 130 is more hesitant from a stop, it nearly matches the 110 in the towing department with a maximum capacity of 8,200 pounds.
Trims, Pricing and Release Date
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 | Manufacturer image
The 130 is available with six trims at launch: S, SE, X-Dynamic SE, X and a limited First Edition. In addition to trim-specific colors and standard features such as 20-inch wheels, heated second- and third-row seats, four-zone climate control and the Driver Assist Pack, the First Edition is only offered with the P400 six-cylinder engine.
The 2023 Defender 130 starts at $69,350 (all prices include a $1,350 destination charge). By comparison, the 2023 two-door Defender 90 starts at $56,450, the four-door Defender 110 at $54,850 and the three-row, seven-seat version of the Range Rover at $111,850. The 2023 Defender 130 is available to order now on Land Rover’s website.
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Keyword: 2023 Land Rover Defender 130: Off-Road Party of Eight, No V-8