New Defender - first impressions after dealership event
Discussion
So I had the opportunity to go to a dealership event last night and get to see the new Defender in the flesh.
Firstly I'm not going to talk about the old Defender. Love the old car. Iconic. Never driven one. Farmers last bought them donkeys years ago. That's not a business model. Let's move on.
This car was a 110 D200 S in Eiger Grey, with privacy glass and 20" alloys with offroad tyres. It had the Cold Climate and Comfort and Convenience packs, and electronically deployable tow bar added. Total cost £55,145.
It looks really good in the flesh and from all angles. Some photos have made it look a bit flat-sided, but that's not the case in the flesh. Proportions look good and details like the headlights look great. It gives the impression of being rugged, purposeful and modern. They've made the boxy shape look very attractive. The initial colour choices appear to be varying degrees of a grey-green and all looked ok. The rear lights looked a bit too pushed out to the edges in photos, but I quite liked them in the flesh.
I wasn't as impressed by the interior. It feels snug and cosseting (a bit tight?) and solid and there are some quality materials inside but overall it feels soulless. I think that’s mostly due to the design – it has a similar feel to BMW interiors, and I’m not a fan of those either. That being said none of the switchgear or the steering wheel felt delightful to touch and use. I've owned a 2012 Evoque and that felt far more special inside.
The interior is dominated by a central digital display which like a lot of modern designs feels a bit aftermarket - like someone has bolted an iPad on to a more traditional dashboard. To the left (passenger side) is an embossed Defender sign which doesn’t seem to serve any practical purpose and means there’s little in the way of storage or shelf-space. Forgot to check the glovebox but if it has one I don’t imagine it’s very big. Behind the steering wheel is a digital “cockpit”. The interior may look better once all of these are lit up (I only had the central display on) but it felt a bit faux-utilitarian without the practicality that would come with a truly functional interior. There were however several million USB charging points dotted throughout the interior – front and rear. We were told the infotainment system is brand new and will eventually roll out across Land Rover’s entire range. There wasn’t much to play with but the central display seemed quick and responsive.
Ride height felt lower than expected. I had imagined it would tower over lesser 4x4s, but I am not sure that will be the case. Hard to judge in a showroom but it didn't feel like the commanding position of a Discovery or Range Rover.
The boot door is hinged on the side so presents a few practical implications when opening – given it’s attached to an already pretty long car. Boot space seems good but I was surprised by the complete lack of storage bins. There were two tiny nets – one each side. There is underfloor storage which is a decent shape and depth, but it’s often not practical to be able to lift the boot floor (for instance when you have two Basset Hounds lounging in there, or have fitted a rubber lining/tray, are carrying lots of luggage, etc.).
Overall though - and I appreciate most of the above sounds critical! - if I want a decently practical SUV this has so much more appeal and presence than the equivalent Audi, BMW, Volvo motors. It would definitely be my choice.
The car will now be transported around the country to other dealership events. Dealerships should receive their first cars in March.
As an aside the handle on the door in to the dealership came off as we tried to enter the building … so Land Rover still has some struggles with quality control
Firstly I'm not going to talk about the old Defender. Love the old car. Iconic. Never driven one. Farmers last bought them donkeys years ago. That's not a business model. Let's move on.
This car was a 110 D200 S in Eiger Grey, with privacy glass and 20" alloys with offroad tyres. It had the Cold Climate and Comfort and Convenience packs, and electronically deployable tow bar added. Total cost £55,145.
It looks really good in the flesh and from all angles. Some photos have made it look a bit flat-sided, but that's not the case in the flesh. Proportions look good and details like the headlights look great. It gives the impression of being rugged, purposeful and modern. They've made the boxy shape look very attractive. The initial colour choices appear to be varying degrees of a grey-green and all looked ok. The rear lights looked a bit too pushed out to the edges in photos, but I quite liked them in the flesh.
I wasn't as impressed by the interior. It feels snug and cosseting (a bit tight?) and solid and there are some quality materials inside but overall it feels soulless. I think that’s mostly due to the design – it has a similar feel to BMW interiors, and I’m not a fan of those either. That being said none of the switchgear or the steering wheel felt delightful to touch and use. I've owned a 2012 Evoque and that felt far more special inside.
The interior is dominated by a central digital display which like a lot of modern designs feels a bit aftermarket - like someone has bolted an iPad on to a more traditional dashboard. To the left (passenger side) is an embossed Defender sign which doesn’t seem to serve any practical purpose and means there’s little in the way of storage or shelf-space. Forgot to check the glovebox but if it has one I don’t imagine it’s very big. Behind the steering wheel is a digital “cockpit”. The interior may look better once all of these are lit up (I only had the central display on) but it felt a bit faux-utilitarian without the practicality that would come with a truly functional interior. There were however several million USB charging points dotted throughout the interior – front and rear. We were told the infotainment system is brand new and will eventually roll out across Land Rover’s entire range. There wasn’t much to play with but the central display seemed quick and responsive.
Ride height felt lower than expected. I had imagined it would tower over lesser 4x4s, but I am not sure that will be the case. Hard to judge in a showroom but it didn't feel like the commanding position of a Discovery or Range Rover.
The boot door is hinged on the side so presents a few practical implications when opening – given it’s attached to an already pretty long car. Boot space seems good but I was surprised by the complete lack of storage bins. There were two tiny nets – one each side. There is underfloor storage which is a decent shape and depth, but it’s often not practical to be able to lift the boot floor (for instance when you have two Basset Hounds lounging in there, or have fitted a rubber lining/tray, are carrying lots of luggage, etc.).
Overall though - and I appreciate most of the above sounds critical! - if I want a decently practical SUV this has so much more appeal and presence than the equivalent Audi, BMW, Volvo motors. It would definitely be my choice.
The car will now be transported around the country to other dealership events. Dealerships should receive their first cars in March.
As an aside the handle on the door in to the dealership came off as we tried to enter the building … so Land Rover still has some struggles with quality control
NewNameNeeded said:
As an aside the handle on the door in to the dealership came off as we tried to enter the building … so Land Rover still has some struggles with quality control
Aye, its a handsome beast. There are several people on the D3 FB page who witnessed the D5 electric seat system fail completely during its launch events in dealers. Doesn't surprise me at all. The last thing I would want in a Land Rover would be electrically operated folding seats. Recipe for disaster. I personally think these Defenders are going to be a used car nightmare in 10 years from now, but I'd like to be proved wrong...only because thats when I may be able to buy one
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