We NEED to talk about the 2020 Land Rover Defender 90 and 110

The 2020 Land Rover Defender has arrived. Here’s what you should know, including details of the price, specs, tech and what the critics are saying.

Having seen 67 years of continuous production, the Land Rover Defender was able to finally enjoy a much-needed retirement at the start of 2016. And who can blame it, having accomplished a global and devout following? Hell, even the Queen owns one.

Since then, we have seen one teaser and camo shot after another of its successor until, finally, the 2020 Land Rover Defender was unveiled. A car with a great deal of pressure on its chunky arches. How can you bring such an iconic vehicle into the 21^st century without upsetting someone?

Unfortunately Jaguar Land Rover has managed to upset a lot of people, mainly those who forget that Defenders stopped being farm vehicles years ago and that most people want at least a modicum of comfort. Something the old Defender never really cared about.

In my humble motoring journalist opinion, the 2020 Land Rover Defender could be a winner. Not as lovable as the Suzuki Jimny nor as rugged as the Ford Ranger Raptor, but close enough to warrant further inspection. Especially when you see the steel wheel option.

1) Two versions are available (initially)

The new Defender can be had in 90 and 110 versions, the latter arriving first and offering a longer wheelbase. You can have it with five, six or seven seats, depending on how seriously you take contraception. Air suspension is standard here.

In its cheaper short-wheelbase 90 version, expect a simpler coil suspension setup with an option to upgrade to air if you so desire. Both the 90 and 110 will come with an eight-speed automatic so there’s no need to faff with the gears.

2) Three people can sit in the front

Land Rover’s decision to mount the automatic shifter on the dashboard means there is space for three seats up front. Not only is this immensely cool, it allows six people to sit across two rows of seating. An unusual ability, it must be said.

If no one needs to sit in the middle, the seat can be folded down to become an armrest and storage area, ensuring little space in the new Defender’s cabin is wasted.

3) It has practicality and utility in droves

Being a box means lots of space. The five and six-seater 110, for instance, features 1,075 litres of boot with the second row of seats in place. This drops to 231 litres if using the two rearmost seats in the seven-seater or 900 litres if they are folded up.

Total space if you do away with all but the front seats, meanwhile, is more than 2,200 litres. Enough to fit all of Carrefour’s wine section with some leftover for a couple of pain au chocolat.

The new Defender can also carry a payload of up to 900kg, with up to 300kg of static weight on the roof alone, and tow up to 3,720kg in the US and 3,500kg in Europe. Just in case you need even more wine from the continent.

4) Off-roading still matters

Okay, so most people will struggle to fix the new Defender in the way they used to fix the old one. But Jaguar Land Rover has at least made off-roading a priority as it was with its predecessor.

With a maximum wading depth of 900mm (less than that of the new Jeep Wrangler’s 1,000mm) and ground clearance of 291mm at peak, plus impressive approach, breakover and departure angles, the new Defender should eat up most obstacles.

It helps that all models come with four-wheel drive, torquey petrol and diesel engines and Land Rover’s ClearSight Ground View technology, which uses a camera to display what is going on beneath the bonnet.

5) A hybrid Land Rover Defender is coming

Those wanting to enjoy the help of electric motoring will be able to buy the new Defender as a plug-in hybrid in 2020. So you’ll be able to cruise along in silence and without creating any local emissions. Until the battery runs out, that is.

As for the other engine options, expect a four-cylinder 2.0-litre P300 and a more powerful six-cylinder 3.0-litre P400. Or go the diesel route comprised a D200 and D240, which can allegedly manage up to 37.2mpg and 199g/km of CO2.

6) Steel wheels make it retro-ish

For years steel wheels signified you were unable to afford ‘proper’ alloys. Now they’re cool, which is good news for the new Defender. You can spec steelies, as they are known in the business, on all models and trim levels except for the X and First Edition.

Apart from likely helping with ride comfort because of the smaller circumference and larger sidewalls, it’s a nice nod to the heritage of the original Defender. Shame about the lack of circular headlights, though.

7) It can update itself, Tesla style

A benefit of featuring the latest Pivi Pro infotainment system besides smartphone connectivity and a fancy display that will probably go wrong in a month is that you can get over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

So if Jaguar Land Rover adds a new feature or improves the system’s stability, you will get the benefits delivered to you overnight and without ever having to visit the dealership.

8) You’ll spend hours on the configurator

Customisation is all the rage and Land Rover has not missed a trick. You can have the Defender in S, SE, HSE, First Edition and top-spec X trim levels, alongside four accessory packs: Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban. Each one with specific extras and a tweaked look.

Other notable options include the Rooftop Tent and inflatable waterproof awnings for happy camping, a Driver Assist pack for improving safety and a Towing Pack for helping you tow things.

You can check out the new Land Rover Defender configurator here.

9) What about the bad stuff?

Besides increasing in size quite dramatically, the new Defender also has a weird C-pillar option that looks like a cube and is rather jarring. It’s also a shame that it will be built outside the UK and that it’s much more akin to other Land Rovers in the range than it used to be.

Still, we doubt many people will complain too much when waltzing around through the Great British countryside in one. Assuming, of course, you can afford the asking price, which brings me nicely to my final point.

10) What is the new Defender’s UK price?

The 2020 Land Rover Defender 90 commercial will start from £35,000 before extras, while the standard 90 starts from £40,000. £45,240 is the UK price for the Defender 110.

Both models can easily be made to cost £50,000 plus if you go a bit crazy with the extras, which is mighty tempting if you want every modern convenience.

At least the steel wheels option will save you some cash.