Text by Tom Appel
2024 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE
Specs
Class: Premium Premium Midsize crossover
Color: Carpathian Grey
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 187
Real-world fuel economy: 17.3 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | B+ |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 395-horsepower 3.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged and supercharged mild-hybrid six |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 70% city, 30% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/20/18 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $72,000 (not including $1625 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Cold Climate Pack ($500), Off-Road Pack ($1550), Air Suspension Pack ($1600), special paint ($1550), Tow Hitch Receiver ($700), ClearSight interior mirror ($570), “40-20-40” heated rear seats ($500), Meridian-brand premium audio system ($450), 20-inch dark-finish alloy wheels ($200), Air Quality Sensor ($100), Emergency Pack ($75), Three-Zone Climate Control ($400), Cabin Air Purification Plus package ($375), Interior Protection Package ($300), Handover Pack ($28)
Price as tested: $82,523
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy and comfortable cabin, promise of off-road adventure
The good: Sporty character, decent fuel economy, simple controls
The not so good: Shy of cargo space aft of 2nd-seating row
Overview
With an eye towards better defining its showroom portfolio, Land Rover recently added some clarity to the positioning of its U.S.-market product lineup. Walk into your local Rover store, and you will find the inventory organized under three sub-brands: Range Rover, Land Rover, and Defender. For those not in the know, Range Rover is the luxury group, Land Rover the more-pedestrian (though still distinctly premium) model set, and serious off-road trucks are retailed under the Defender banner.
Note that regardless of sub-brand, all Rover vehicles enjoy plenty of power, excellent ride comfort, and luxury-level accommodations.
For 2025, the Rover lineup looks like this:
Range Rover
Range Rover (starting at $109,525)—large crossover
Range Rover Sport ($81,325)—midsize crossover
Velar ($62,875)—compact crossover
Evoque ($51,175)—subcompact crossover
Land Rover
Discover ($61,825)—large crossover
Discover Sport ($50,175)—compact crossover
Defender
Defender 130 ($71,325)—midsize crossover (3-row)
Defender 110 ($62,425)—midsize crossover
Defender 90 ($58,525)—midsize crossover (offered only as a 2-door)
It should come as no surprise that the Defender trio outsell all other Rover offerings by a significant margin. Through the first three quarters of 2024, Defenders racked up roughly 24,000 sales, while the Flagship Range Rover—the next-best seller—came in with 19,000. Credit the Defender’s rugged good looks and (relative) affordability for the popularity.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of the most rugged of Rover models, the Defender, in—take a breath–110 X-Dynamic SE trim. That would be the standard length 4-door model. Also offered, as noted above, is the 2-door 90, and long-body, 3-row, 130.
Both the 90 and 110 can be had with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, or mild-hybrid turbocharged and supercharged 3.0-liter six. The 130 is offered with two versions of the 3.0-liter sixes, with one offering additional horsepower. All Defenders can be had with a high-performance 5.0-liter V8, which does a lot to raise the price, and reduce fuel economy. And, as expected, all Defenders come with standard AWD, and an automatic transmission.
Our Defender was equipped with the aforementioned 3.0-liter six which boasts 395 horsepower and an EPA combined estimate of 18 mpg. You can read our complete review of a similar 2024 Defender equipped with the “Country Pack” trim package here. Today, we’d like to share 5 cool things about the 2024 (and little-changed 2025) Defender 110.
Note that with the exception of a new topline “Octa” trim level, the Defender lineup is little changed for 2025.
Five Cool Things about the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE
Easy on the gas
Fuel economy is relative, but we can’t help be impressed that our 400-horsepower, 5000-pound test SUV, with standard AWD, returned better than 17 mpg. Better yet, our previous Defender test car returned nearly 20 mpg. Credit the mild-hybrid system, which improves overall efficiency by providing extra torque when the Defender moves off from a stop. As a bonus, the system is refined in operation, and contributes to the truck’s smooth engine stop/start system operation.
Family friendly
The standard Defender 110 features ample space for four adults, and up to five folks, assuming one or two of the rear-seaters are not large adults. Not only is the Defender roomy, it feels roomy, with plenty of glass area and high ceiling. And, despite the Defender’s rugged core mission, the interior is very quiet, even at highway speed, which makes for easy conversation between the seating rows. Also available is a 3rd-row seat, which though handy, is best left to the smallest of your passengers.
Plenty of smooth power
The Rover 6-cylinder engine is both smooth and powerful, and surprisingly quiet as well. We worry that the standard 2.0-liter engine will struggle some to keep this big Rover moving, and we think the available V8 is overkill. The refined six is your ticket to satisfying power and reasonable fuel economy.
Classy cabin
Though the Defender comes in as the affordable Rover crossover, its cabin still comes off a premium in feel. There’s less leather and brightwork than found in the Range Rover, but the Defender’s interior is still a classy space, and benefits from high-quality materials and apparently quality workmanship. The stubby gear selector, positioned high on the console, adds a classy, modern feel to the environment.
Refined and sporty character
Despite its legit off-road credentials, the Defender is fun to drive on-road, too. The torquey six delivers plenty of power from a stop—and for passing—and the well-controlled lean in corners, combined with excellent steering feel, make for a daily commute that is far more entertaining than it should be. Strong feeling brakes add to the sense of control.
Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast
Land Rover Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE Pictures
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2024 Land Rover Defender 110 S “Country Pack”: Review, Prices, and Specs
