The off-roading SUV segment is going through a bit of a renaissance in recent years with the rebirth of both the Ford Bronco and the Land Rover Defender. These rugged off-roaders are cultural icons in their own right and have returned after a lengthy hiatus from the market. We reckon this return is timely given the ongoing pandemic and driving in the wilderness seems like the perfect activity during this time. We had the chance to sample the all-new 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 S P300 and spoiler alert – this is the best mix of off-road prowess and on-road refinement today.

The 2022 Land Rover features styling that looks both retro and futuristic at the same time. The boxy silhouette, roundel headlights, and bulging hood are cued from the classic Defender and serve as an interesting contrast to the modern LED lighting units and wheel design. The styling is an instant classic in our eyes and serves the Defender very well in a segment where appearance is as important as the substance.

Moving inside, we see a mix of metal and padded material that comes together surprisingly well. Many rugged off-roaders often incorporate a low-maintenance and rugged interior design that ends up looking cheap but not the Defender. The industrial design complements the overall toughness very well and the cabin exudes a sense of quality one has come to expect from the storied British automaker. We love that Land Rover has reverted back to using physical buttons on the steering wheel and the dashboard – a welcomed departure from the Range Rover line up especially for glove users.

Our tester is equipped with the P300 engine – a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 296 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 295 lb-ft. of torque as early as 1,500 RPM. It is the smallest engine in the lineup and will only line the base Defender S P300 trim, with a six-cylinder P400 and a 525-horsepower V8 filling out the rest of the model range. Despite the displacement, the P300 powerplant has enough low-end torque to get moving without hesitation. It is only when trying to get up to speed quickly for highway merging or overtakes when it feels like something is missing. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) and those who need a little bit more can consider stepping up to the P400 for an extra 220-kilogram capability.

Steering response is usually not a priority for off-road trucks but the Defender manages to squeeze in a good system that is easy to drive with decent accuracy. The Defender feels better than the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler in terms of on-road composure without giving up any off-roading capability – a remarkable achievement. While the Defender’s hardware enables it to handle even the toughest terrain when we had the opportunity to sample it off-road last year, it was the advanced software that sets it apart from its main rivals.

There are pre-set terrain management programs to automatically select the best configuration based on the task at hand, and the Defender’s real party trick lies in its state-of-the-art camera system that can project images of its surroundings as if there are cameras pointing towards the vehicle. Many automakers have started to incorporate this technology but Land Rover’s live camera system is the best we have seen. It guided us through the narrowest pathways and showed us a view of what lies below. Best of all, the system is intuitive and easy to use and can offer additional confidence during winter months for casual non-off-road users.

Fuel consumption ratings have not been published at the time of writing and our observed figure arrived at 12.0L/100km for our week of combined commuting. The Defender is a bit thirsty for a four-cylinder turbo but it remained in line with our expectations given its size. Fortunately, the fuel tank is generous at 90 litres to give it a respectable drive range and premium fuel is recommended.

Thanks to its tall, boxy shape, there is plenty of head and legroom in the 2022 Land Rover Defender. There are a couple of small windows on the roof, paying a nice tribute to the classic Defender, but we suspect most shoppers would choose one of either the folding fabric or sliding panoramic roof to bask in the sunshine, both available to add during the build process. Ride comfort is excellent for what the Defender can achieve out in the wilderness, and the Defender 110 with a two-row configuration will hold up to 786 litres of cargo.

Infotainment is delivered through the curved 11.4-inch touchscreen on the dashboard. Image quality is beautiful with acceptable touch responsiveness even with gloves on. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is supported and the standard ten-speaker Meridian sound system is a good system to start with.

Staring from $66,800, the Defender 110 S P300 is a really attractive option for users looking for a more rugged go-anywhere SUV. Our tester came with a total sticker price of $74,880 once we factoring in the long list of appearance and functional options. There is also a wide variety of accessories that shoppers can choose from for a truly customized experience, and we like that Land Rover has also included several style packages to make it simpler for buyers.

There is a lot to like about the 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 S P300. It is perfect for those looking for a capable off-roader, or ones that want to look the part without sacrificing the premium SUV experience. We expect to see a lot of these around, and a good thing is that the expansive accessories list will help ensure we would not see too many of them alike.