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The Land Rover Defender and I go way back. I’ve been off-roading in the Defender 110 and 130 multiple times. I was in an off-roading competition with the 110. Plus, I’ve driven the two-door 90 model. I know a lot about each Defender and the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 was welcomed after surviving Hurricane Helene. 

2025 Land Rover Defender 110 review: Comfortable, capable, and luxurious 

I’ve been in Asheville, NC for seven years and never thought a hurricane would be a threat. However, Helene caused catastrophic flooding and landslides, making it impossible to access some areas for weeks. 

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 is perfectly capable of traversing rough conditions. I’ve used it to climb over logs, wade through flooded trails, climb slippery inclines, slowly descend snow-covered slopes, and much more. 

You can use the adjustable air suspension and a 360-degree camera to make precise moves. Plus, the off-roading modes are built to accommodate beginners and experts. 

Also, the Defender Service Awards provides a customer Defender to nonprofit charities each year. I saw the Cajun Navy earn one. They specialize in feeding those impacted by natural disasters. It was cool to see them return to Asheville to help. 

Anyway, before I go on a tangent here are potential drawbacks: 

  • My model had a suede steering wheel. The fabric was slippery, which could compromise off-roading maneuvers. But you can get a steering wheel cover. 
  • The Defender 110 gets expensive in a hurry. Models cost between $58,525 to $153,625. 
  • The tech could be more intuitive. 

Now, I had a $111,300 V8 model. It was equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. That’s plenty of power for an athletic and engaging ride, and for climbing over obstacles. 

However, it only gets an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city and up to 19 mpg on the highway, which isn’t the best when gas is scarce. But the large 24-gallon tank puts that anxiety to bed. 

Also, if you’re stressed and worried, the Defender 110 is a comfortable and calming place to spend time. The interior is extremely quiet compared to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. Plus, it has a much smoother ride without sacrificing capability. 

The seats are large with plenty of adjustment controls to provide support in the right places. You’ll find the rear seat is quite spacious as well. Five adults can comfortably fit in this SUV. Each row has air vents and plenty of USB ports. 

The Defender 110 benefits from plenty of storage space for tools, including a bin in front of the center console and a tray above the glove box. The center console is also cooling, allowing you to provide people with cold beverages. Cold water is like gold after not having access to any. 

You can access up to 34 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 78.8 cubes overall. The cargo floor and the back of the seats are protected by metal. 

This means you can set chainsaws, other tools, and debris in the SUV without worry. Even if fuel leaks, you can easily clean it up without worrying about it soaking into fabrics. If you need more space, it can tow up to

Useful tech for hurricane relief include the Wi-fi hotspot. I didn’t have Wi-fi or cell service for 12 days! It would’ve been so helpful. Plus, outlets in the rear can power tools and charge devices. 

There’s an optional air compressor too. Built-in navigation helps when cell service is down. But I recommend getting an overview on how to use the tech before leaving the dealership. 

There are various driving modes from Dynamic to Mud/Ruts. I slid in slick mud when I forgot to change from Dynamic mode after a long stint on the highway. 

Of course in true Land Rover fashion, the Defender is luxurious with high-quality interior materials such as leather-covered upholstery, puddle lights, heated/ventilated seats, steel-cut premium seats, a faux suede headliner, ambient lighting, and a premium Meridian audio system. 

Overall, the Land Rover Defender 110 is a well-appointed, spacious vehicle with the perfect blend of rugged capabilities and luxury comfort. It can be used for thrilling rides on the pavement, relaxing strolls around town, and conquering the wilderness.

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