Do I Want To Buy The New 2023 Land Rover Defender 130? 

Tommy needs to do the TFL slip test to put its 4WD system to the test

I think the 110 really hits the sweet spot design wise. Not too short, not too long. They are sharp looking vehicles nonetheless!

I've had my LR4 for over seven years now. Four of those have been out of warranty. I absolutely love it, and it's been the best vehicle I've ever owned (a list that includes six Land Cruisers). I don't intend on selling anytime soon.

I just got the 2023 defender 110. I can't believe I own one!

Land Rover - Proudly making mechanics of their owners since 1948.

I think the 130 is the best looking Defender they sell. The 110 is kinda oddly proportioned, and the 90 isnt bad, but I think this looks great. Very similar to the classic defender 110.

I already bought one in fuji white, and I absolutely love it. Everything about it is so cool. It also tows around 8500 pounds which is crazy

Running 275/60/r20 Cooper Discoverer XLT's on defender wheels (2012 lr4). No issues off road and run 18 psi off road. Rig runs great with this setup

Uh, your first new Defender was NOT a 90 (2-door). It was a white 110 P300. Second one was a blue 110 P400.

A farmer friend has just passed 40k miles in his van version of the 90. The only problem he has had from new is a puncture. Although we don't have rocks, we have lots of mud and he rates it highly.

Roman: "I find myself wanting this again" Tommy: "Oh brother..."

Regarding off road performance, I would agree that in terms of rock crawling, there are some vehicles that are better designed for that purpose. However, I would argue that with snow, mud, sand, and water fording, most Land Rovers would be as least as good as the competition, and in most cases better.

Roman still has nightmares about the 2 broken Land Rover Defender they received.

They have a video of this. TFL bought a fresh off the Truck, NEW Land Rover Defender with only 10 miles on it. They drove it off of the lot and it broke down the next day! Range Rover told TFL their brand new Defender was beyond repair! I have never seen anything like that before??

Hi guys... just to let you know... the volume is hard to hear on this video. It's been that way off and on with Roman and some of the tests.

I have had my '22 110 for a year and a half and 30,000 problem free KM. I know you had more than your fair share of problems, but I would attribute that to buying a first year of a new model. It's not like the Bronco hasn't had a few problems

I’ve had my 110 for a while Now - zero issues- great off-roader, insane tow power , amazing on the road … I waited a while even though I wanted first edition because unless you’re buying a Toyota or a Honda - first year cars usually have issues. I would highly recommend the current defender - the one thing I do agree with is that they should give you 17” wheel options from factory. Mine has 20” it’s good but for more hardcore wheeling I would buy aftermarket wheels and tires …

I have a 2016 Land Rover Evoque and It still gets compliments on the looks everywhere I go. Now I want a LR4 or Defender! :)

Changed my 1996 TDi300 90 I had owned for 21 years for a D240 110 First Edition L663 Defender and have never looked back, the new one is better in every sense. The 2020 one has never had a moment of mechanical issues but did suffer from terrible rattles and rain water leaks that have all been cured now. I off-road it every week or two and it’s on AT’s rather than the silly All Seasons LR supplies them with although people I know who do have them off-road on the OEM All Seasons don’t seem to have many traction problems. My Feb 2020 built 110 is about to be replaced by a 2023 D250 HSE 90 - I don’t need the huge load space or the second row of seats of the 110 and my Mini S E has a bigger boot/trunk than the 90 with the seats up……… so I guess I won’t be taking the 90 to do the shopping!

What makes this one unique IS THIS ONE IS NOT BROKEN (yet) 🤠

I don't understand how the hell Land Rover moved so far away from what a Defender was supposed to be. It should have been a simple, utilitarian, and reliable car for the masses. They totally missed the mark.

Very nice review. Simple, frank and practical. Thank you.

Roman - funniest intro I’ve seen yet on TFL. Love the British dry humour for the British LR!

I ordered the 20’s instead of the 22’s to give me a little bit more sidewall and still keep the larger V8 brakes. But I had to get off road tires from the factory. They aren’t that noisy on the road. I was expecting it to be terrible and I would have to change them out. Now I will just drive them until they are worn out.

I want to like these but small things like the alpine windows being lost mean it looses character as well as the off road worthynes compared to the 110.

The reliability issues made the brand a little bit of a guilty pleasure. I really did the virtual 360° sensor image sounds like it’ll be useful if zombies are approaching you from all directions

In South Africa we have a saying "If you want to drive from Cape Town to Cairo, use a Land Rover. If you want to come back also, rather take a Land Cruiser..." Beautiful vehicle in any case and they will be able to sell every last one they build! Very good review by the way!

I picked up one of these (130 first edition) and so far love it. It's optioned similarly but has the off road pack which gives it the locking rear diff and 20" wheels with all terrain tires. Tow rating is 8200lbs. Big draw for me was that it can actually seat 7 comfortably, 8 in a pinch, and can tow a travel trailer and go off road - coming from a gladiator Rubicon that did all of that except haul enough people. We'll see how it does off road but I'm used to dragging the rear on the gladiator so this shouldn't be much of an adjustment. As the kids are getting bigger and my parents age, we need to move more people and still tow a camper. Kept the Jeep and we'll see if I keep the 130 after the warranty is up.

Nice! Makes me appreciate my Fuji white LR4 for 20% of that price! Hey if you take the 130 off-road, please put 18" at the most and real tires to give it a fighting chance. LR are putting road tires/wheels because that's where most people go. Thanks!! ...Can't wait to see that giant crawl!

I've got the hybrid in the UK P400e, I love it, 10,000 miles of driving fun and comfort. I actually think I love this car.

Totally with you on the short legs and long torso dilemma.

After watching your video, I can say that you are a very nice person. People like you deserve better and this vehicle suits you. 😊

Love those rear recovery points.

Fantastic video you always keep us well informed. That white is beautiful.

Reliability aside, I love it!!! The 110 is better, and I wish they had a third row (in town, jump seat style) for that.

I just ordered one, I can't wait for it to arrive in June!

Awesome content as always

Excellent no bs review - thanks.

like it my build 130 S model ..Sedona red , white roof, with black rims,body color spare tire cover, explorer pack and the S model has ......19" rims and a standard seating opt of ..... "NO 3RD ROW "

When you own a Range Rover, and you’re at the dealership for service, and the technician pulls you to the side and whispers to you that as an owner you’re ok as long as you have a warranty, but when close to it expiring RUN!!! That there told me to NEVER get another….🤔🎯💯💯💯💯

Beautiful car. Wow 1,000 miles on it and it is still drivable.

this would make a great pullman-style limousine if they took out the middle seats and spiffed up the 3rd row plus moved the 3rdsunroof forward

I’ll look at a 130 once they give it a v8 525 like the 110 and 90 option

That’s some nice scenery there.

Roman, great review as always. Would be curious to know if you had a choice between Bronco Raptor and a Discovery 110 or a Discovery 130 both LR’s with the off road package, which would you choose as a daily driver?

That’s a nice SUV would work where I live in Louisiana.

I don't understand why they didn't make the defender work with more appropriate wheel/tire combo for off roading. Everything else about the truck is geared that way. Why buy one if you plan on street/dirt road use, just get a discovery.

I currently own a 2016 Land Rover LR4 in Fuji White. Absolutely love it. In the past I’ve had a Disco. Range Rover Sport and LR3. In my humble opinion the LR4 is the best vehicle Land Rover has ever produced. Classic looks,tremendous cargo capacity and just enough luxury. Just keep to the maintenance schedule and change the oil every 5,000 miles and you will have years of great driving ahead of you. As you are driving down the road passing all of the soccer mom’s SUV’s, the feeling you get from driving a Land Rover is just perfect.

dacia duster 4x4 is better and economic

LR4 V8! Incredible value for money and you can fit 18 inch rims to it and an arb bull bar and plenty other accessories. Brilliant cars!

I want a 110 so freaking bad after having the 90. There’s so much to love about it, but… There are penalties to pay 😂

Taking delivery of my 90 in April. Wish me luck 🤣

White is for appliances, but apart from that, this looks like a great car for larger families that want something more off road capable and more utilitarian than a Range Rover. I love my 110, but pls don't air down those 20's again and slam them into pointy rocks. LR has made clear that 20's should almost never be aired down when going off road--exception being on soft sandy beaches without any hidden rocks. These are amazing vehicles which the most advanced 4WD system in the world, and they went with 20's because they just drive that much better on road, and they aren't all that bad for most off road situations short of crazy American redneck style rock crawling. For most overlanders, 20's will be fine as long as you don't air them down. You won't get much increase in traction on rocks since 20's won't spread out much anyway, and you'll save yourself from pinch flats a la Tommy. I've tackled all kinds of stuff on my 20's not aired down and they are more than adequate for most things short of the Rubicon. If rock crawling is in your blood, go get a full body lift and put the Defender up on 35's. Say goodbye to mpg and road handling, but your inner redneck will be more than happy while still able to keep your grey poupon in the console fridge.

Walking along the side of the road just before a Colorado Winter Sunset @ 17:10 in the video...seems like a bad idea.

hey TFL...Roman's saying that you guys had the 90 in the video...and that's what broke down...but you guys had the 110's...the 90's weren't even available when you guys bought the 110's.

Competes also with the Rivian R1S! Almost the same price

With the price of them here in Australia, Cant reason with it. But do Love them 100%

Your last Defender didn’t break down, but it was your third one. The first 2 broke. One in less than 200 miles and the second didn’t even make it off of the dealership lot. Your love of the Land Rover baffles me.

You had a 110

Will you be getting the Ineos grenadier?

I took delivery on my 130 SE 1/17 & I had the front windows tinted with 35 tint. Now on cloudy days the digital dash lights dim to so much that I can hardy see them. If I open the window the immediately go back to there normal brightness. My 2021 BMW X5 does exactly same thing. Any ideas how I can fix this on my 130. Short of taking the tint off. Thanks for your help. Not sure if this makes any difference, but I do have Heads Up Display. Harold

Proud owner of a Land Rover Discovery Sport no issues and loving it..... Will be buying a Defender soon.

I wanted it when it originally came out, but seeing the offroad reviews I was disappointed. I'm still on my Ineos pre-order. Sept 2023 delivery 🚙

I definitely like the white color

Just saw one stuck in the sand on the beach at Outer Banks NC. Not surprised

Just bought one, take it offroad. It rides incredible on road in comfort.

One of my neighbours has a new 5 seat 130 that he's currently fitting 35's on. its gonna be a beast when finished

I’m surprised they sent you a press vehicle after so much bad press from your 90

Just put some BFG All Terrains on it with the smaller rims?

From a European prospective,the US competition only works in the US due to size. American trucks are just to wide for our roads. The Land Rover will almost definitely out sell any US model in every market except yours. I’d love to see how your trucks would do InEurope driven by Americans in our market. And yes I’m jealous of all the open areas you have, we just don’t have that on the scale you do.

9 out of 10 Land Rovers sold are still on the roads and trails today. The last one made it home

Land Rover has the best reputation for off road vehicles that’s because they are always in the shop. Don’t waste your money on a land rover unless if you have a second car and don’t mind being inconvenienced by a vehicle that never wants to actually work.

You said you guys owned the 90 ? Don't remember that..... It was the 110 you guys had with the smaller engine and stripped down..... Then after a few miles engine light came on.... And after a back and forth with the dealership, it couldn't be fixed .... Then you selected another 110 and the dealership accidentally cut through the wiring harness and you guys selected the 3rd 110 .... Don't remember the 90

nice minivan:)

I want one also but that third row would always been fold down

I do wish Jeep would create a longer wrangler based on the chassis from the Gladiator. Unfortunately, it would definitely cannibalize sales from the ridiculously expensive Wagoneer.

If only they made the cars reliable, with quality built & durable engines and parts. This car company would be perfect & would be selling so many cars

Amen to the warranty comment.

I love my D300 110.

Land Rover content from TFL is always entertaining. Though not even on my dreams I want to buy a newer Land Rover I'd love to watch TFL Land Rover videos. Older Land Rover is a different story for me. I would like to own a classic Land Rover and use it carefully in the city.

That is a tremendous amount of faith based on a terrible track record, the very statement that the broken version was unrepairable is enough to scare me off, Landrover does have a reputation for its complex systems failing. If you burn your hand on the stove do you touch it two or three more times to decide if it is still hot?

With your last landrover debacle why would you consider it. Keep the white elephant out of the room.

Looks like a jeep patriot had a baby with a Ford flex. Id drive it.

Does this have head up display and massage front seats ?

there will be very few families that need to move more than 2 adults and 2/3 kids AND luggage OR up to 8 passengers WITHOUT luggage. it will be exceptionally rare you need to carry 8 people AND luggage, and if you do, thats where things like roof racks/trailers come into play. also 'off road' capable, depends what you use as off road. most people will be mud pluggers. rock crawling, for many, is a seperate genre of 'off roading' if used for off road purposes, there will be other sizes of wheels that will fit (land rover might not recommend them, but they will fit) that will be better suited to rock crawling. for proof of that, look at the recent BBC Top Gear UK review of the newest version of the Range Rover (aired a little before christmas 2022 in the UK) which did an insane course BUT with wheels fitted from a MUCH older vehicle to allow tyres to be fitted with much more sidewall, for the rock crawling element. I wouldnt buy a 'new' defender, even if i COULD afford one. why? because even here in the UK, they DONT offer a manual version, theyre ONLY available in automatic. i dont WANT an automatic in a defender. its supposed to be relatively utilitarian, compared to the rest of the range. this is just a Discovery in a Defender party dress.

Looked hard at this, really wanted it. However could not justify its expense over a Suburban High Country.

Does the 130 have the safari windows? A quick google search stated that it does, but the car sent to TFL didn’t appear to have them.

Wasn't TFL's first Defender a 110, not the 90?

Kind of a vague review, Roman (Roland?). What exactly went wrong with the previous Defenders that "couldn't be fixed"? This new Defender does look great, but it's hard to justify the money and the probable long term depreciation. Also, it's kind of big, about the size of a Grand Cherokee, and with similarly poor mpg. It seems like Land Rover has about five mid-size SUVs. I can't really tell the difference, but this one is the coolest.

Why come all your Defenders without the optional locker in the rear axle? Why dond'nt you order them as option???

I fell asleep somewhere after the 30 second mark. Thanks Roman.

It’s fantastic that you appreciate and understand LRs! Of course it’s not set up for off road use with the 22” wheels and road tyres, so it will be very limited without ATs and the ride won’t be as sumptuous as on even 20s. The 130 issue is the departure angle with the extra length in the rear overhand rather than the wheelbase. I prefer the D300 engine to the US petrol option, the torque and control is fabulous and 30 mpg! Key off road is the proactive use of the Terrain Response system (improved with the optional rear Elocker). With the size of the 130 it’s certainly looking at the US market more than Europe I suspect. So enjoy, also look forward to your search for a D4, cheaper in the US than here in the UK by the sound of it. In my experience a D4 will be as good as anything ‘out of the box’ and better on road. Again it needs the right tyres and the rear locker to really excel. Best wishes!

How many times do you guys want to stick your hand over the Land Rover flame?

Get an Ineos Grenadier when it is launched in the US

I had amazing fun times car camping in my 110 Defender, at some fun locations, back when I had it! If these seats fold flat, the 130 would be absolutely legendary for car camping! All that extra space means I can still have everything I need and be able to sleep comfortably in my rig lol. I even had a self-inflatable single sized air mattress that contoured perfectly to the side of the back, with seats folden down lol. I have one from Deep Sleep my 4Runner too lol that I still own. I gave up the Defender, but I have nothing bad to say about them!

Rohman wasn't u taking crap about this vehicle with Nathan saying it's not a good off roader lol Nathan should of did this review 🤣 😂 🤔

Nice but I’d never actually buy one. The horrid maintenance issues are just inescapable. Realistically? Toyota4lyf

How did the dealer break the second one, do tell?

Almost 40,000 units sold in 2022. Exclusive club and a favorite of AAA road assistance service and Exxon/Mobile and financial institutions. In summary, expensive to buy, run and insure, and loves the service department! Hope you like “loaner cars.” Thanks

I bought a Land Rover and it sunk into the swamp. Then I bought another Land Rover and that too dunk into the swamp. Then I bought a third Land Rover and that sits in my driveway broken down today.