2023 Land Rover Defender 130: Family-Friendly Post-Apocalyptic Warrior

The larger-than-life Land Rover Defender 130 is a pretty unique specimen that inspires curiosity and admiration. My adventure-ready tester finished in a matte black vinyl wrap caught the attention of many passersby every time it was parked in my driveway, and some of them even did a walkaround to get a better look. 

There’s something decidedly alluring about an all-black car or SUV, especially one that looks like a giant toy, but this particular unit also carried a huge rack on the roof, a folding ladder on the left side for easier access and a weatherproof cargo box on the right side for hauling extra gear.

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Of course, these utility add-ons demand a sizable premium, and they’re also a magnet for thieves. If you don’t have a secure parking spot at home, you probably should consider a different vehicle. On top of the hefty price and attention from criminals comes a fair amount of wind noise when driving at highway speeds. 

But you know what? If we suddenly happened to live in a post-apocalyptic world, the Land Rover Defender 130 would arguably be the best choice. Here’s why.

Room to Spare

Imagine having to go back to living as nomads and carrying all your possessions around. How great would it be to have a vehicle like this Defender, which is a foot longer than the Defender 110 and similarly available in both two- and three-row configurations? The five-passenger model offers a gigantic 1,094-litre trunk, and while the rear seats don’t fold completely flat, they still give you a total of 2,078 litres for cargo.

Access to the cabin is easy thanks to the large door openings and there’s generous space to be found no matter where you sit. By the way, the aforementioned cargo box on the right side has a capacity of 24 litres or 17 kg, while the roof rack boasts a static payload of 132 kg. So, if for some reason you can’t fit all your stuff inside the Defender 130, just climb up the folding ladder and use the rack to the fullest.

Utilitarian Driving Environment

Once settled behind the big, multi-function steering wheel, you’ll immediately notice the utilitarian dashboard and centre console with better ergonomics and more storage solutions than what Range Rovers offer. USB ports are smartly concealed on the passenger’s side.

Just below the centre display is a good old-fashioned shifter that’s easy to reach, with a combination of drive mode buttons and HVAC controls on the right. It’s a bit confusing at first, but you’ll get used to it after a few weeks. Things like the volume knob located farther right or the dual-action rotary selectors can prove annoying, but when it comes to infotainment, the improvements made by Land Rover in recent years make the touchscreen more user-friendly.

On the Road

We don’t know how bad the roads would be in a post-apocalyptic future, but the longest Defender fared pretty well on the pothole-filled streets of the Greater Montreal area. It’s definitely not as plush as a Range Rover, but still comfortable overall.

While the supercharged V8 is fantastic, the turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology proved more than potent enough, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The eight-speed transmission is a pleasant operator, too, whether on the highway or around town.

If you care about fuel consumption, let me tell you that the Defender 130 achieved a combined 12.7 L/100 km during the week, which is slightly better than its official NRC rating. Granted, I spent more time on the highway than I did exploring trails. The exterior package has an adverse effect on efficiency, resulting in a hit at the pump.

In the best of worlds, the automaker would also offer a turbocharged four-cylinder engine like it does with the Defender 90 and Defender 110. Curiously, whichever powerplant you select, maximum towing capacity is the same at 7,700 lbs (3,493 kg).

Time to Play

I would always bet on the Defender 130 to survive a natural disaster. Land Rover’s 4x4 system is one of the most sophisticated on the planet and has proven time and time again how it can handle challenging terrain. On a bumpy and snow-covered forest road, the vehicle seemed to laugh at the obstacles standing in its way.

An excellent set of all-terrain tires obviously helped during the icy ascents, but given the weight and ground clearance of the Defender 130, proper winter or even all-season tires would have done the job, as well. Another thing going for this SUV is an adjustable air suspension combined with an available Snow/Mud drive mode.

There was one mishap, though. What I thought was a simple patch of ice actually hid a big hole, and the burly Landie fell right into it, cracking the front bumper in the process. In the summer, there would have been none of that. Luckily, damage was merely cosmetic—the powertrain, suspension and front wheels were still good to go, and I had no trouble returning home.

Bottom line: the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is an incredibly capable and fun off-roader, but at a base price of $93,000, you need to consider the risks involved.