AT-A-GLANCE

Land Rover Defender 90 XS Station Wagon.

Price: £30,095.

Top speed: 90mph.
0-62mph: 14.7 seconds.
Fuel: 27.7mpg (combined figure).
CO2 emissions (g/km): 269.
Verdict: Outstanding off-roader,
practical workhorse, durable,
reliable, pricey, excellent
residuals. Bouncy on-road ride
and poor turning circle.

 

IT’S amazing that the Land Rover
Defender has been produced in
one series or another for well
over 60 years with so few major
alterations.
Its design as a rural workhorse
was obviously right from the
word go and even today there is
little to touch it off the tarmac
and it is regarded by many as the
king of off-roaders.
On the road, however, it is a different
story with a bouncy ride
and poor turning circle so that
there is not a great deal to recommend
it for family comfort.
However, Land Rover has introduced
an XS specification with
some creature comforts that do
make the vehicle more practical
and pleasant for driver and passengers
on the highway.
But at £30,095 the short wheel
base 90 Station Wagon is a good
deal more expensive than other
lesser-equipped Defender models
which are priced from £21,410 for
the 2.2-litre pick-up.
The XS uses the new 122PS 2.2-
litre diesel motor which is quieter,
greener and generally more
refined than the 2.4. The 2.2-litre
is no slouch either and offers
strong pulling power up through
the gears and provides rapid
progress on the open road or
motorway where it will cruise
happily on the speed limit. Its
robust six-speed manual gearbox
has well-spaced ratios and a good
positive gear change.
Not only does the Defender continue
to sell well but it has
remarkably good residual values
which is excellent news when the
time comes to sell or partexchange
the vehicle. Second
hand Defenders are snapped up
by farmers, forestry workers and
contractors who place much
importance on the reliability and
durability of the vehicle and, of
course, the low-range gearing
often necessary for demanding
off-road work.
And the Defender is also in
demand for towing as it will tow
up to 3,500kg without fuss.
Despite its boxy-shaped body it
still looks the part in county circles
and the XS is undoubtedly a
smarter –looking vehicle and
something of a head turner with
its alloy wheels, side windows
and sturdy body trim.
The slab-sided body has a useful
purpose, too, because it makes the
vehicle better for driving along
narrow tracks through woods or
crossing bumpy and awkward terrain
where trees and vegetation
could damage the sides of a more
bulbous motor.
The Defender’s off-road ability is
rather exceptional with the short
wheelbase model being the one to
have for serious cross-country
work as it has less body overhang
both front and rear than the long
wheelbase. It will wade through
water up to a maximum depth of
500mm, clear obstacles up to
323mm and deal with a maximum
gradient of 45 degrees.
The inside of the XS model also
has a touch of luxury with leather
and cloth seats and hard wearing
carpet.
There is a CD stereo system,
electric front windows, air conditioning
and heated seats.
Generally, however, the interior
remains as functional as the outside
and while there are no
airbags, the XS Defender has ABS
and traction control. At the rear
there is good seating in the XS
Station Wagon and generous
cargo space.