Bond in Motion - The 2020 Land Rover Defender
Land Rover South Africa has revealed pricing for the new Defender 110 which is set for local launch in June, and opened order books for the short-wheelbase 90 body design set for arrival later in 2020.
Land Rover has kept the square, boxy overall shape of the Defender, along with the flat bonnet. The overall stance is more upright, and the side-hinged rear tailgate with the mounted spare wheel from the original Defender makes its way into the new model. The new LED head and taillights give the new Defender a revolutionary modern appearance. "We have created the new Defender to ensure it is ready for anything, with a design that has been inspired by the past, not constrained by it," said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer at Land Rover. "It’s elemental grille, sophisticated surfacing and commanding stance give the entire family a modernity and confidence that set it apart, while simultaneously retaining the essential elements that make a Defender so recognizable."
The Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban packs give New Defender a range of distinct personalities. For the Defender 110, the Adventure Pack – which includes a bright rear scuff plate, an integrated air compressor, portable rinse system, a seat backpack and a spare wheel cover – has been the most popular choice among configurations that included an Accessory Pack in South Africa.
The Defender looks very compact in photos, but the dimensions couldn’t be further from that. The Land Rover Defender 110 boasts a length of 5,02-meters with the spare wheel, a height of 1,97-meters, a width of 2,1-meters wide and a wheelbase of 3,02-meters. A more compact model called the Defender 90 will also be available, and it boasts a length of 4,58-meters with the spare wheel, a height of 1,97-meters, a width of 2,1-meters wide and a wheelbase of 2,59-meters.
The South Africa bound Defender range will be available in three different flavours in terms of engine options. A 177kW diesel motor powers the D240 model while a 221kW petrol engine is found in the P300 model. The range topping P400 model features a straight-six petrol engine supplemented by an electric motor, producing a total of 294kW of power and 550Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range.
The Land Rover Defender has generated a lot of excitement among South African customers. The Land Rover website clocked in 12 000 configurations of the new SUV along with more than 76 000 visitors to its new Defender pages, and over 9 000 digital Defender brochures have been downloaded.
The Land Rover Defender is expected to launch in South Africa in June, and will carry a starting price tag from R948,000.
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FAQ
Q: What does the Land Rover Defender cost in South Africa?
The Land Rover Defender 110 starts from around R1,200,000 in South Africa, while the more compact Defender 90 kicks off at approximately R1,100,000, though pricing varies significantly based on specification and accessory packs.
Q: Is the Land Rover Defender worth buying?
The Defender is worth buying if you need serious off-road capability and don't mind paying premium prices for Land Rover's iconic design, but it's expensive to buy and maintain compared to alternatives like the Toyota Prado or Ford Everest.
Q: What's the difference between the Defender 90 and 110?
The Defender 90 is the shorter two-door version at 4.58 metres long with a 2.59-metre wheelbase, while the 110 is the longer five-door family version at 5.02 metres with a 3.02-metre wheelbase and more passenger space.
Q: How reliable is the new Land Rover Defender?
The new Defender has shown improved reliability compared to previous Land Rover models, but it still lags behind Japanese competitors like Toyota and has higher maintenance costs, with service intervals every 16,000km or 12 months.
Q: What are the best Land Rover Defender alternatives in South Africa?
The Toyota Prado at R1,000,000, Ford Everest at R750,000, and Isuzu MU-X at R650,000 offer similar off-road capability with better reliability and lower running costs than the Defender.
Should You Buy It?
The Land Rover Defender is a brilliant off-roader with iconic styling, but at over R1,200,000 for the 110, it's hard to recommend unless you're absolutely set on the brand. The best seven-seater SUV under R1,000,000 in SA is actually the Toyota Prado, which offers 90% of the Defender's capability at a lower price with legendary reliability. Buy the Defender if you love the looks and have deep pockets, but consider the Prado or Ford Everest if you want better value for money. The Defender 90 makes more sense at R1,100,000 if you don't need seven seats, but even then, you're paying a premium for that Land Rover badge.
