Three-Row Land Rover Defender 130 Has Finally Arrived
We’ve been promised a new three-row variant of the Land Rover Defender for over a year, and today is the day we finally get to see it. Joining the Defender 90 and 110, the 2023 Defender 130 can comfortably accommodate up to eight people.
Standing 5.36 metres long with a wheelbase of 3.02 metres, this model offers 34 centimetres of extra length, which not only improves passenger space but also cargo capacity. There’s 389 litres behind the third row, and as much as 2,291 litres when all the rear seats are folded.
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By comparison, the Defender 110 can haul up to 1,875 litres and its optional 5+2 configuration leaves only a tiny bit of room for third-row occupants.
Interestingly, the Defender 130 comes standard with a panoramic sunroof and a second glass panel above the third row, resulting in a bright and airy cabin. Also, with the electronic air suspension, you can adjust the vehicle’s ride height from the cargo area to make loading easier. How nice.
The Defender 130 further stands out with a unique colour palette including new Sedona Red, as well as an Extended Bright Pack that puts more chrome and silver accents all around. The dashboard features a larger 11.4-inch touchscreen with Pivi Pro infotainment and the new what3words navigation app. Four-zone climate control and advanced cabin air purification technology are also included.
By the way, there are four trim levels to choose from—SE, X-Dynamic SE, X and First Edition. The last one is available in three combinations carefully curated by Land Rover designers and offers an extensive equipment list including heated second and third-row seating, Meridian sound system, Driver Assist Pack and privacy glass.
As for the powertrain, forget the V8, at least initially. The only option in Canada is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 48V mild hybrid technology. With 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, 0-100 km/h acceleration is achieved in 6.6 seconds.
Every Defender 130 is fitted with Land Rover’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) and advanced Terrain Response systems plus an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission as standard. Maximum towing capacity is the same 8,200 pounds, and water fording depth remains at 90 centimetres.
The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 starts at $93,000 in Canada, not counting freight and PDI, which is a heck of lot more expensive than the Defender 110 (priced from $69,250).