Entry-level Land Rover Defender 90 – What you get for R1.1 million

The three-door Land Rover Defender 90 recently went on sale in South Africa.

When R1.1 million is the asking price for the cheapest vehicle in the range, you will expect a certain level of quality and capabilities.

Fortunately, the entry-level Defender 90 D240 S does not disappoint.

Off-road legend

A big part of the Defender’s status comes from its off-road capabilities, with even the cheapest new model sitting at the head of its segment.

A twin-speed transfer box for both high and low range gears sends power to all four wheels in this SUV, and works in conjunction with a plethora of sophisticated systems to keep the vehicle upright in extreme conditions.

This includes hill descent and launch assist, cornering brake control, roll stability control, brake hold, low traction launch, trailer stability assist, and a Terrain Response system.

The latter provides five drive modes to conquer nearly any terrain.

In addition, this model sports a coil suspension setup – assuring 225mm of ground clearance – along with a wade sensing system that allows the Defender to ford waters up to 0.85 metres deep.

Under the hood, a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and produces 177kW and 430Nm of torque.

The powerful motor lets the Defender crawl up 45-degree inclines, tow up to 3,500kg, and carry up to 397 litres of cargo in the rear.

An approach angle of 31-degrees, departure angle of 37.9-degrees, and breakover angle of 25-degrees then sees to it that the Defender 90 can go where most others can’t.

Distinctive design

The new Defender features an extremely distinctive look, with three specification packs defining the exterior styles.

This particular S trim on the entry-level Defender 90 is recognisable by its body-coloured roof, no integrated roof rails, clear glass, and 19-inch wheels.

The interior is finished with leather trims, a hard-wearing rubber floor, and an Oyster Morzine headlining.

In here, the vehicle owner has access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera thanks to the 10-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system – along with a fully-digital instrument cluster.

Comfort and assist systems remain abundant in this trim, and it’s further fitted with:

• Cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Assisted tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Keyless entry and start
• Two-zone climate control
• All-round parking sensors
• Automatic LED headlights
• 12-way semi-powered front seats

You won’t have to worry about being unsafe in the cheapest Defender, either, as all 40 variations of the new model range boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

This is complemented by a generous list of safety systems, such as ABS with emergency braking, and six airbags.

Pricing

The entry-level Land Rover Defender 90 D240 S has a South African starting price of R1,141,966.

Along with this you get a 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Plan.

Land Rover Defender 90 S – Photos