2025 Land Rover Defender 90 S P300 Review – Small in Size, Big Otherwise

Initially offered in North America for the 2021 model year, the two-door Land Rover Defender 90 remains something of a rare sight on the roads here. In fact, I was asked by a remarkable number of people if it was a new model. Bearing the Land Rover internal designation L663, the four-door version of the second-generation Land Rover Defender lineup was introduced in 2020, replacing the first-generation models, which went out of production in 1997.

The L663 Defenders blend the ruggedness for which their predecessors were known with the luxurious demeanor of contemporary Land Rover and Range Rover models. While not exactly the best of both worlds, the L663 Defenders bear their Land Rover badges with dignity, owing largely to the prowess they display. The base price for the example of the 2025 Land Rover Defender 90 S I sampled was $56,900; the price as tested was $71,183.

2025 Land Rover Defender 90 S P300

Many would argue that the Defender 90 S is the purest expression of what the Defender is all about. Its shorter wheelbase gives it more agility, and the 90 S accouterments are less opulent than those you’ll find in the other versions. In other words, the Defender 90 S is for those who appreciate luxury, but value sheer capability just as much—if not a bit more.

Remarkably, while the L663 Defender’s styling is going into its fifth year of production, largely unchanged, the design still looks fresh. Granted, it drew a lot of heat when it was introduced, but once again, the idea that a polarizing design tends to age better than a universally admired one holds true. On the other hand, given that they are something of a rare sight, some of this could also be attributed to a lack of familiarity by the general public.

It should be noted that the L663 Defender is a unibody design, whereas the original Defender used a body-on-frame configuration. As a result, the L663 looks more like a crossover than a “proper” SUV. Still, at its core, the contemporary Defender is first and foremost a Land Rover—in every way.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

A big advantage the short-wheelbase Defender 90 offers over its 110 and 130 counterparts is in-town maneuverability. Some 17 inches shorter than the Defender 110 and 30 inches shorter than the Defender 130, the Defender 90 is easier to park and handle in urban traffic. It’s also more agile off-road.

Handling is greatly improved over first-generation models as well, thanks to the unibody construction I mentioned earlier. What’s more, the 2025 Defender 90 has a fully independent suspension system, where its predecessor ran solid axles. The Defender 90 S covered here was equipped with the height-adjustable air suspension system, as opposed to the standard coil setup. Having driven both designs, I can say the air suspension provides a smoother ride.

While the coil springs do a commendable job too, the air suspension system also helps keep the Rover’s body flat and its tires more firmly planted in cornering maneuvers. What’s more, the air suspension system also lowers the Defender’s ride height at highway speeds to help reduce fuel consumption. With 11.5 inches of ground clearance, the Defender 90 will ford 35.4 inches of water.

Power for my Defender 90 P300 was sourced from a Jaguar-Land Rover Ingenium series 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC inline four-cylinder. Capable of producing 296 horsepower @ 5,500 RPM, the engine can also generate 295 pound-feet of torque @ 1,500 RPM. The Defender’s four-wheel-drive system receives this output through a ZF 8HP51 eight-speed automatic transmission. The Defender 90 P300’s zero to 60 time is quoted at 6.7 seconds. Top speed is a cited 119 miles per hour.

Performance Specifications

Land Rover Defender 90 P300 Fuel Economy

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 90 P300’s 2.0-liter turbo four is rated at 18 MPG in the city, 21 on the highway, and 19 combined. I saw 18 overall. With a 23.8-gallon fuel tank, the P300 Defender 90 is good for a range of approximately 428 miles.

Interior Design And Comfort

Offering a nice blend of utility and luxury, the Defender 90s interior treatment telegraphs its mission in the Land Rover universe. In other words, the design language is in line with other models within the marque’s catalog. At the same time, it has a decidedly functional ambiance.

The Defender’s “rough and tumble” nature is telegraphed by exposed rivets in the door panel. The lower ridge spanning the width of the dash is an upholstered magnesium beam, which improves the Defender’s structural rigidity.

The vast majority of the Land Rover’s secondary controls reside on a trapezoidal “island”, which also serves as the location of the start/stop button and the transmission’s gear selector. My Defender 90 also featured rubberized flooring, which facilitates easier cleanup after forays into muddy areas. The front seats were heated, as were the windscreen, washer jets, and headlight washers. The power-adjustable steering wheel was also heated. Seating comfort was good in all four primary positions, with adequate leg, head, and shoulder room all the way around. The Defender 90 was also fitted with side steps to ease ingress and egress.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Everything you need and nothing you don’t is a good way to look at the Defender 90s tech suite. Features include a fast-responding 10-inch touchscreen interface for infotainment, and the underlying Pivi Pro operating system accepts over-the-air updates. and Android compatibility are standard, along with a native navigation app.

The example of the Defender 90 I drove had the optional 400-watt Meridian audio system and the Clear Sight rearview mirror, which displays the output of a rear-mounted camera in the standard interior rearview mirror housing. Driver aids include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and smart cruise control. The Defender 90 also has a 3D surround camera and 360° parking assistance.

The Land Rover was also capable of reading traffic signs and adapting to changes in the speed limit. Naturally, Land Rover’s terrain sensing system was fitted, giving the Defender the ability to respond to the nature of the topography with which it was charged with dealing. Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of all of this is that the operation of all of these features is highly intuitive. Things simply work the way you think they should.

Cargo And Storage Space

Fold the rear seatbacks away, and the Defender 90 offers 44.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. That number shrinks to 10.5 cubic feet when both of the seat backs are deployed. As is common, they can be folded separately for added flexibility. Supplemental storage cubbies, along with a bin in the center console and, of course, the glove box offer interior accommodations for smaller items.

2025 Land Rover Defender 90 Vs. Its Competitors

When it comes to the combination of price, prestige, and luxuriousness, the Land Rover Defender 90 doesn’t really have a direct competitor in the North American marketplace. Size-wise, the Defender 90s closest rivals are the Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch and Jeep Wrangler, both of which are very different automobiles, offered at considerably lower price points.

How The Land Rover Defender 90 Compares to the Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch

If you want a that approximates the Defender 90s off-road chops, you’ll be looking at the Sasquatch-trimmed . This will net you steel bumpers with a bull bar on the front, as well as a pair of towing hooks on the back. Along with steel skid plates and slightly more ground clearance, there’s a knobbier set of 29-inch all-terrain tires. The Sasquatch package also brings with it a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, increased ground clearance, and a Rock Crawl drive mode. Pricing starts at $43,115.

How The Land Rover Defender 90 Compares To The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

To get as close as possible to the Defender 90 in a Jeep Wrangler, you’ll be looking at the Rubicon package, which gives the already capable Wrangler even more prowess off-road. Features include 4×4 system, heavy-duty axles, and locking differentials. It also includes a performance suspension, high-clearance fender flares, and rock rails for enhanced off-road performance.

And truth be told, this will make the Wrangler even more capable of doing dirt than the Defender. However, it will also make the Wrangler far less civilized than its British counterpart. pricing starts at $52,050.

Our Recommendation For Which Model You Should Buy

Between these three, if money is no object, I’d go with the Land Rover. After all, it provides the best of all worlds. You’ll get the prestige of the Land Rover badge, a nice array of luxurious features, and the ability to go pretty much anywhere the other two will take you — and get you back home again. However, you will pay a premium for the Defender 90s well-roundedness.

That said, the Wrangler Rubicon will likely serve you better if you’re a die-hard off-road fan, and sheer capability is all that matters to you. Meanwhile, the Bronco Sasquatch will do an admirable job of bridging the divide between the Defender and the Wrangler. So really, it all comes down to personal preferences. There is no wrong answer here — as long as you’re honest with yourself about your needs and your revenue stream.