Land Rover Defender 90 2.0L Petrol MHEV P300

The inner-city friendly Defender is easy to live with, turns heads and fun to drive anywhere – Land Rover has moved upmarket in its build quality, and that’s clearly found on the new Defender. There’s not a single panel out of place, nor is there a questionable bit of trim found both inside and out of this off-roader. Although I wish things were buttoned up a little more on the inside, as there were some squeaks and rattles found while… Read more

driving around in this particular Defender.

Pricing for the Defender 90 S P300 starts from $87,073 before on-road costs. However, if you add a folding fabric roof, digital rear view mirror, activity key and an electronic active differential, you have a final drive away price of $95,172 before on-road costs.

Land Rover offers a complementary 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a servicing plan that covers 5 years or 102,000kms for $1,950.

The P300 engine option in the Defender line-up offers little cabin intrusion, and actually burbles and pops when you drive it a little harder than it has any right in being driven.

It’s a subdued cabin, offering a quiet ride and allowing you to enjoy the passing scenery or whatever is playing over the speakers. However, a distraction that I hope was an anomaly was a harsh base rattle emanating from said speakers.

The mass, size and dynamics of the Defender 90 makes it brake like a large hatchback.

This P300 motor is a 2.0L inline turbocharged petrol 4-cylinder motor producing 221kW at 5,500rpm and 400Nm from 1,500rpm to 4,500rpm.

Usually diesel would be the pick for a vehicle like this, however the P300 motor produces peak torque at a low enough figure that I’d almost pick this engine with the added benefit of extra straight line performance.

It’s reactive and moves a larger two door off-roader like this with absolute ease. You can cruise at low rpm, and swiftly move up to speed in a mere 7.1 seconds - respectable for a car not designed to win drag races.

Paired to this motor is an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s smooth, quick to react, and feels well suited for daily driving in the city and tackling rock crawling on the weekend.

There’s a low range option in this gearbox that feeds power smoothly and predictably, offering greater capability than simply cruising on tarmac.

There are no paddle shifters to change gears, instead a sequential pattern can be found on the physical gun handle-like shifter up on the dashboard of the Defender.

Riding on coil suspension instead of the optional airbag suspension, this Defender feels fairly different in its handling.

There’s no adjustability to be had. Instead, you’re set with the one height and stiffness option unless you opt for air suspension.

The fixed height allows for ease of access into most car parks and will still allow you to cross 850mm of water. However, I did miss the ability to raise and lower the car for ease of entry for some shorter passengers and being able to clear some slightly more aggressive sections of our off-road test track.

The fuel efficiency of the P300 motor is average. This is a heavy, 2 tonne off-roader, so you can expect an average consumption figure of 10.1L per 100km. I saw figures as high as 13L per 100km during my week with the 90.

I was thoroughly impressed with the Defender’s interior when I first reviewed it last year. This year is no different; I’m still just as smitten when spending hours at a time inside this car.

Handy placements of storage cubbies, handles and large buttons make interacting with this cabin feel logical. There’s no lack of places to store loose items, and you won’t struggle to find a spot to hold your oversized metal water bottle.

The ‘floating’ centre display is easy to read and has an excellent UI known as ‘Pivi Pro’. As I experienced first hand, you receive regular over-the-air updates to keep your Land Rover packed with the latest digital features.

It’s a rugged feeling interior, with no carpet found anywhere to allow for easy cleaning, all complemented by the exposed bolts along the doors and centre console.

What I’d seriously consider opting for would be the large fabric folding roof, which would add another dimension to enjoying this interior. With it, you could either stand up in the back seats and eat your dinner from the roof of the car while enjoying an elevated view, or soak up that Sydney sun while driving.

There isn’t a whole lot of boot space compared to the Defender 110, but the Defender 90 is still a wildly practical car.

Front seats are what you’d expect for a large two door car like this, with plenty of comfort and space.

However, the rear seats, despite lacking their own entrance, are extremely spacious and roomy. There are two windows and that large fabric roof to let more than enough light into the back. It’s one of the very few two door cars where four, maybe even five adults could enjoy spending lots of time over a long drive.

Look, I’m going to be honest. The Land Rover Defender 90 is purely a product for those who are looking for the best of both worlds, those being luxury and capability.

There are cheaper alternatives out there, but with a reduction in price also comes a sacrifice in either capability or creature comforts.

It’s not for everyone, but for those who want the off-road equivalent of a weekend sports car, that’s where the Defender 90 comes in.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.