Land Rover Defender models explained
What are the different Defender models and what does each mean?
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The Land Rover Defender is one of the most widely recognised cars in the world. From its boxy shape to its use in television, it’s certainly a stand-out model.
It started life as a tool, something to use around your farm or in a combat situation, but today it’s become a true status symbol, and if you own one, you’re part of a niche club – even if there are over two million in existence today.
But of this colossal number, there are lots of different types. You might not know it, but there are far more Defender variants than you may think.
That’s why we’ve compiled the list of all the Defender models available today to help you make the best decision when choosing your own.
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Defender models
Defender 90
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The Defender 90 is the smallest model available. It’s a three-door off-road vehicle with unbelievable driving capabilities, while still being able to transport up to six people (with the optional front jump seat) around.
Available trims
Defender S
Defender X-Dynamic SE
Defender X-Dynamic HSE
Defender X
Defender V8
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Defender 90 Hard Top
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Like the standard Defender 90, the 90 Hard Top has three doors, but what makes it different is that it’s the commercial, van-like version for businesses. This means instead of rear seats, it’s all storage space.
Available trims
Defender Hard Top S
Defender Hard Top X-Dynamic SE
Defender Hard Top X-Dynamic HSE
Defender Hard Top X
Defender 110
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The Defender 110 is the middle-of-the-range in terms of size. It has five doors and is the best option if you have a family because you’re not faffing with moving seats backwards and forwards like in the smaller 90.
Available trims
Defender S
Defender X-Dynamic SE
Defender X-Dynamic HSE
Defender X
Defender Trophy Edition in Deep Sand Sandglow Yellow
Defender Trophy Edition in Keswick Green
Defender 110 Hard Top
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The Hard Top name carries on to the 110, giving you more storage space than the 90 version, making this version particularly useful for agricultural work.
Available trims
Defender Hard Top S
Defender Hard Top X-Dynamic SE
Defender Hard Top X-Dynamic HSE
Defender Hard Top X
Defender 130
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The 130 is the biggest Land Rover Defender shape you can buy. It’s essentially a stretched 110, giving you five doors, up to eight seats and a larger boot.
Available trims
Defender X-Dynamic SE
Defender X-Dynamic HSE
Defender X
Defender V8
Defender Outbound
Defender OCTA
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Talk about extreme. The Land Rover Defender OCTA is the most hardcore version of this off-road SUV, with an astonishing 635hp from its 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It’s therefore faster, wider and more expensive than any other Defender in the range.
Available trims
Defender OCTA
Defender OCTA Black
Defender trims
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Along with the body shapes, Land Rover also offers a wide range of trims for the Defender. Most trims are spread across the entire lineup, but some are exclusively reserved for specific models, i.e. the OCTA.
Defender S
The Defender S is the most basic version of the Defender you can have, but it’s far from simple. It comes with all the standard kit inside (11.4-inch screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, etc), plus some other bits.
These include 19-inch alloy wheels, a Meridian sound system, LED headlights, 12-way heated powered seats and Land Rover’s clever Terrain Response System to adjust the car to suit its surroundings.
Defender X-Dynamic SE
Step up to the X-Dynamic SE, and this gets you larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a black contrast roof, more durable ‘Resist’ seats and 12-way heated electric memory front seats.
Defender X-Dynamic HSE
'HSE’ stands for ‘High-Specification Equipment’, which is where the real value starts to kick in.
This includes key features such as a sliding panoramic sunroof, Matrix LED headlights, a Meridian surround-sound speaker system, fancier ‘Windsor’ leather seats, 14-way heated electrically adjustable seats and an electrically adjustable steering column.
Defender X
It gets fancier still because the Defender X adds more on top of the X-Dynamic HSE.
With extras like 22-inch diamond-cut wheels, higher-grade leather seats, heated and cooled seats, plus the Signature Interior Pack (different seating and trim finishes), it’s one of the most luxurious ways to own a Defender.
Defender V8
The Defender V8 does exactly what it says on the tin. It has a 525hp V8 engine under the bonnet paired with four exhausts for a proper growly sound as it drives past.
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Defender Outbound
The Outbound version of the Defender is exclusive to the 130, removing the third row of seats and covering the back windows. This is designed to be a true luxury adventurer’s car.
It doesn’t miss any creature comforts, and still gets a sliding panoramic sunroof, a Meridian sound system and a great infotainment system. Just with only a diesel engine option and a massive 1,329-litre boot, aimed at long-distance excursions.
Defender Trophy Edition
The Trophy Edition is only available on the 110 body shape and gives you a range of additions.
Some of which include a roof rack, chunkier tyres, a side step ladder and some exclusive paints – Deep Sandglow Yellow and Keswick Green.
Defender OCTA Black
As touched on above, the OCTA is the most extreme Defender ever made, and the OCTA Black adds to that with a stealthy black paint, a different style of wheels and another option of seats.
It’s really a glorified ‘black pack’, which many other brands offer.
Land Rover Defender accessory packs
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Alongside trims, Land Rover also offers accessory packs on its cars, giving you an easy way to bundle together some of the best features for different scenarios.
Whether you’re tackling the Welsh countryside or slowly driving around Chelsea, there’s a pack with your name on it.
Explorer Pack
Like its name suggests, the Explorer Pack is for the true adventurers. It adds a roof rack, deployable roof ladder, side-mounted gear boxes, mud flaps, a raised air intake and bonnet decals.
Adventure Pack
The Adventure Pack also gets mud flaps and the side-mounted boxes, but also a black rear scuff plate, an integrated air compressor and a portable hose to rinse down your muddy gear.
Urban Pack
If you don’t quite fancy off-roading just yet, you can add the Urban Pack, which gets you the black rear scuff plate for scratchy pooch paw prints, fixed side steps for easier access and bonnet decals.
Chopped Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack
Exclusive to the OCTA is the Chopped Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack, which adds, you guessed it, chopped carbon fibre components to the bonnet script lettering for ‘Defender’, side vents and bonnet inserts. It's true decadence.
Land Rover powertrains
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Land Rover still sells the Defender with a range of different engines to choose from.
These include:
Petrol
In terms of petrol options, there are three, and they’re all V8 engines.
The P425 is a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine available in a few different specs, whereas the P525 has 100 more horsepower and is exclusively for the Defender V8.
Sitting at the top is the P635 engine dedicated to the OCTA. This is a slightly smaller BMW-derived 4.4-litre V8, but it has mild hybrid tech, and it’s twin-turbocharged, so it produces a staggering 635hp – making it the most powerful Defender ever.
Diesel
There are two different diesels available. First is the D250, which is the standard engine across the Defender range.
It’s a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine with 250hp. Then, there’s the D350, which gains mild hybrid assistance and is more powerful with 350hp and has more torque. This would be the choice if you’re going to be towing anything.
PHEV
As for plug-in hybrid engines, Land Rover offers the P300e – a 2.0-litre turbocharged option, giving you a 31-mile electric-only range, which is perfect for city driving or most commutes.
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What’s the best Land Rover Defender model?
Because there are so many different Land Rover Defenders on offer, there’s going to be a model for everyone.
To help break it down, see which category you fit into below, and that’s going to be the pick of the bunch for your needs.
Cheapest Defender – Land Rover Defender 90 S with the D250 diesel engine
Most luxurious Defender – Land Rover Defender 110 X with the P425 V8 engine
Most powerful Defender – Land Rover Defender OCTA
Most efficient Defender – Land Rover Defender with the P300e PHEV engine
Biggest Defender – Land Rover Defender 130
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Explore used Land Rover Defender cars
If you’re feeling ready to dig out your wellies and get your rain jacket on, then it’s time to browse our range of used Land Rover Defender cars for sale.
Using our guide above, we’re confident you’ll be able to pinpoint the best Defender model for you.