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August 17, 2021
Test Drive the New Defender 90: The Most Alluringly Styled SUV Today | Land Rover
Exterior and Interior Strongly Evoke the Original
With its deliberately smaller cabin relative to the body, and details like the headlamps and rear combination lamps, the design strongly recalls the original. When encountering the 90, I'm reminded of the Defenders (then called the Land Rover Ninety, etc.) seen in the streets of London and Paris around the 1980s. It evokes a sense of stylishness with a subtle twist, perhaps due to its unique presence.
Back then, the only SUVs (the term didn't exist) seen on the streets were Range Rovers. However, seeing a Defender with its exposed rivets holding the body panels together offered a powerful presence. Its unusualness gave it a stylishness with a certain twist. The new Defender has a similar feel. I hope it's not just nostalgia.
The interior is also appealing. The exterior and interior designs are remarkably well-synchronized. Interiors often take a backseat to exteriors and are prone to cost-cutting. However, given that owners spend overwhelmingly more time inside the car than looking at it from the outside, I want them to spare no effort in design, quality, and of course, comfort.
The 90 incorporates elements reminiscent of the original's exposed metal in the dashboard area. Where safety regulations permit, the crash pad is intentionally omitted to showcase the metallic finish. The instrument cluster, seamlessly integrated, enhances the atmosphere.
In terms of usability, it meets premium standards, featuring a highly digitized infotainment system. Additionally, it boasts Land Rover's signature features, such as "Clear Sight Ground View," which uses digital technology to display the ground beneath the vehicle as if looking through it.
I once test-drove the new Evoque in Greece and cautiously navigated across an abandoned railway bridge over a gorge, using the "Clear Sight Ground View." It provided reassurance by showing exactly where the tires were placed. Simultaneously, the monitor displayed the sea surface flowing beneath the vehicle, creating an incredibly immersive experience. I thought, is this what it's like to be the protagonist in an action movie?
Perhaps it's because the trust I felt then has turned into affection. I highly recommend the Defender 90, even with its minor inconveniences (like the difficult-to-use rear seats). I also appreciate it as a product with a strong statement. Prices start from 5.51 million yen. If possible, the optional "Air Suspension Pack" (341,000 yen) is recommended. For those planning off-road excursions, various off-road options are available, so be sure to check them out.
Spec
Land Rover Defender 90 | Land Rover Defender 90
- • Body Dimensions | Length 4,510 x Width 1,995 x Height 1,975mm (1,970mm with air suspension)
- • Wheelbase | 2,585mm
- • Vehicle Weight | 2,090kg (2,100kg with air suspension)
- • Engine | 1,995cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Turbo
- • Maximum Output | 221kW (300ps) / 5,500rpm
- • Maximum Torque | 340Nm (34.7kgm) / 1,750-3,000rpm
- • Transmission | 8-speed AT
- • Fuel Consumption (WLTC Mode) | 8.3km/ℓ
- • Drivetrain | 4WD
- • Minimum Turning Radius | 5.3 meters
- • Price | From 5.51 million yen
