Now in its sixth model year, the Land Rover Defender continues to offer the perfect blend of luxury, ruggedness, and status all in a nicely wrapped package. Ever since the resurgence of the outdoorsy lifestyle, thanks in part to COVID-19 forcing people to develop outdoor hobbies, demand for these have steadily increased ever since its release at the height of the pandemic. With this stunning matte dark brown paint and off-road tires, this 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 reminds us why it remains such a popular choice among buyers in the luxury SUV space.
The Defender 110 continues to embody the essence of modern luxury off-roading. It bridges the gap between rugged exploration and contemporary comfort, fusing the DNA of a legacy workhorse with the demands of today’s SUV buyer. Positioned above the base four-cylinder powertrain but just beneath the V8 and high-performance Octa variants, this X-Dynamic SE tester with the P400 inline-six powertrain strikes a strong balance in performance, style, and technology.
Does the Defender still look and feel fresh in 2025?
Visually, the 2025 Defender 110 still exudes presence. It retains its classic boxy proportions and upright stance, but this time around it’s layered with subtle styling enhancements that bring a fresh energy. This X-Dynamic SE trim adds some sportier flair; body-coloured lower cladding, black exterior accents, and sleek alloy wheels give it a more athletic and refined look compared to lower trims. A gloss black contrast roof further boosts its aesthetic. The rear-mounted spare tire and wide wheel arches are nods to the Defender’s utilitarian roots, while flush-mount LED lighting and refined surfaces modernize its appearance. It’s a well-balanced blend of nostalgia and modernity.
Step inside the Defender 110 and the impression is immediate: this cabin is built to withstand tough conditions, but doesn’t skimp on creature comforts. Materials feel durable yet upscale; surfaces like rubberized floors, exposed bolts, and hard-wearing seat upholstery speak to its functional core, while soft-touch panels, contrast stitching, and modern ambient lighting elevate the atmosphere. The X-Dynamic SE model comes with seats finished in a leather-like material called Resist, which are both wipe-clean and surprisingly supple.
Comfort, cargo, and tech
The front seats are heated, power-adjustable, and offer strong lumbar support, ideal for long road trips and trail-crawls alike. The rear bench is roomy enough for two full-size adults, with ample legroom and decent shoulder space, although three might feel a little snug on extended drives. Cargo capacity is generous with over 789 L of cargo capacity behind the second row and 1,875 with the seats folded down. The Defender also features clever touches like rubberized storage cubbies, a centre console fridge compartment, and a floating centre stack that integrates storage with style. Rear passengers also get USB ports, climate vents, and seat heaters, while the split-opening tailgate offers access to gear even when space behind the car is tight. Whether used for daily errands or extended road trips, the Defender adapts with ease.
Technology in the 2025 Defender 110 evolves subtly but meaningfully. At the heart of the cabin is an 11.4-inch touchscreen running Land Rover’s Pivi Pro infotainment system. The interface is intuitive, featuring large icons and quick responses to touch inputs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, alongside built-in navigation, HD radio, and voice control. The digital gauge cluster is crisp and configurable, providing real-time data on off-road conditions, navigation, and vehicle dynamics. The system also integrates with the Defender’s Terrain Response drive modes, allowing drivers to further tweak drivetrain settings from rock crawl to snow, sand, or mud. A robust suite of driver-assist features also comes standard: adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, and a surround-view camera system that’s especially helpful off-road or in tight urban spaces.
What’s under the Defender’s hood?
Under the hood, our Defender tester features the P400 powertrain, meaning a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a mild hybrid assist. This powertrain delivers 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and does so in a refined and confident manner. A key contributor to the engine’s responsiveness is the integrated 48-volt system. It uses an electric supercharger to eliminate turbo lag, making acceleration feel immediate and linear. Mated to the eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive system, the Defender glides through city traffic, highways, and off-road trails alike. Despite its size, it’s surprisingly quick, taking around six seconds for the zero-to-100 km/h sprint. It never feels sluggish or overworked, even when loaded with gear or climbing steep terrain.
The most impressive aspect of the Defender is its dual personality. Around town and on the highway, it delivers a composed, comfortable ride. It absorbs potholes and road imperfections with ease, especially when equipped with the optional air suspension. Handling is composed, and while the Defender doesn’t hide its tall centere of gravity, body roll is minimal for a vehicle in this class. Steering is nicely weighted and visibility is excellent, especially with the optional digital rear-view mirror. Switch over to rougher terrain, and the Defender really shines. Its off-road credentials are serious — terrain management modes, locking differentials, adjustable ride height, hill descent control, and even a wading depth of around 35 inches. With 11.5 inches of ground clearance and the ability to approach and descend at steep angles, it handles technical trails, water crossings, and rocky climbs with surprising agility and confidence. Few luxury SUVs can do both urban commutes and overland expeditions, but the Defender is one of the few that does them both well.
Given the power and capability on offer, fuel economy is respectable but not groundbreaking. The inline-six is officially rated at 13.8 L/100 kilometres in the city, 11.6 highway, and 12.8 combined. We averaged 14.0 L/100 km combined mostly due to stop-and-go traffic in the city and my lead foot when traffic opened up. However, for the segment and engine size, these numbers are par for the course.
Is the Defender worth it?
The Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE P400 starts at $89,250. With options such as the matte finish paint protection film, air suspension, upgraded sound system, cold climate pack, and exterior accessories, our tester came to a total of $109,265 before fees and taxes. While that may seem steep, the value lies in what this specific configuration delivers. You’re getting a premium off-roader with real-world usability, distinct styling, high-grade materials, advanced tech, and rock-solid performance both on and off pavement. It’s hard to find another SUV at this price point that offers this level of balance between form, function, and capability.
The 2025 Land Rover Defender 110, particularly the X-Dynamic SE trim with the P400 powertrain, is arguably the most balanced variant. It brings serious power and advanced features without the overkill or cost of the V8 models, and it offers more refinement and tech than the base configurations. For buyers who want something luxurious, highly capable, and visually distinctive, the six-cylinder X-Dynamic SE trim with the P400 engine is a compelling package. It may not be the most economical choice, but there are little trade-offs in an SUV that does so many things right. Whether you are looking for a mall crawler with rugged flair or a weekend warrior ready to hit the trails, this is for sure the sweet spot in the Defender lineup.
