Joining the long-wheelbase Defender 110 for 2021 is the shorty, the Land Rover Defender 90. It’ll arrive in local showrooms in February 2021.
It features the same model year 2021 updates as the 110, including the introduction of Jaguar Land Rover’s new Ingenium turbo-diesel mild-hybrid inline sixes to replace the four-cylinder diesels available at launch.
Three are available, badged D200, D250 and D300, respectively, with the least powerful D200 exclusive to the Defender 90.
The petrol engine range has received attention, too, with a new turbocharged four-cylinder variant – the P300 – opening the range. That leaves only the P400, first introduced in the 2020 Defender 110, unchanged.
The short-wheelbase Defender 90 offers a similarly sprawling range of variants to the 110 – 11 in total, using five different powertrains.
Five of the Defender 90 variants can also be had with a new X-Dynamic Pack, which adds a raft of unique details including Silicon Satin front and rear skid plates and a matching grille bar, as well as alloy wheels in a satin dark grey and gloss black finish. Inside, there are illuminated sill plates and seats finished in Robustek, a robust material “inspired by workman’s gloves and patches on motorbike jackets”
As on the 2020 Defender 110, there’s a staggering range of option packages plus some standalone options detailed below.
Despite its shorter length, the Defender 90 can still seat up to six people when fitted with the front-row jump seat.
Pricing
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 P300: $71,500
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 D200: $78,590
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 S P300: $80,390
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 S D250: $87,490
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 SE D300: $89,390
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 SE P400: $95,290
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 First Edition D250: $104,990
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 HSE P400: $105,190
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 First Edition P400: $106,190
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X D300: $132,590
- 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X P400: $134,690
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
Five engines are available in the 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 range.
Diesel models are powered by a 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel with a 48V mild-hybrid system, producing 147kW of power and 500Nm of torque in the Defender D200, 183kW of power and 570Nm of torque in the Defender D250, and 220kW of power and 650Nm of torque in the Defender D300. The diesel models have 0-100km/h times of 9.8, 8 and 6.7 seconds, respectively.
The only four-cylinder engine is in the new Defender P300. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 221kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
Above it sits the Defender P400, which features a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six with 48V mild-hybrid technology, making 294kW and 550Nm. These petrol models have 0-100km/h times of 7.1 and 6 seconds, respectively.
All 2021 Land Rover Defender models use an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive with high and low-range gearing.
Fuel Economy
Land Rover has yet to reveal ADR combined cycle fuel economy figures for the 2021 Defender 90, though it claims WLTP combined cycle figures of 9.3L/100km for all diesel models and 12L/100km and 12.5L/100km for the P300 and P400, respectively.
We’ll update this when ADR figures become available.
Dimensions
The 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 measures 4323mm long (4583mm with the spare wheel) and rides a 2587mm wheelbase. It measures 1969mm tall or 1974mm tall with the optional air suspension, and measures 2105mm wide (2008mm wide with the mirrors folded).
Luggage space measures 397L or 1563L with the second row folded.
Safety
The Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 have yet to be tested by ANCAP.
For 2021, all Defender models come standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, safe exit assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and driver attention monitoring.
Standard Equipment
The Defender 90 comes standard with the following features:
- 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and DAB digital radio
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- LED headlights
- Surround-view camera
- Adaptive cruise control
- Tyre-pressure monitoring
- Hill descent control
- Hill launch assist
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Dual-zone climate control
- Partial leather upholstery
- Electric parking brake
- 18-inch alloy wheels
The Defender 90 S adds:
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- Adaptive high beam
- Digital instrument cluster
- 12-way partially powered front seats
- 19-inch alloy wheels
The Defender 90 SE adds:
- Front fog lights
- Premium LED headlights with signature daytime-running lights
- 12-way power front seats with memory
- Meridian sound system
- Digital rear-view mirror
- 20-inch alloy wheels
The Defender 90 HSE adds:
- Windsor leather upholstery
- Panoramic sunroof
- Matrix LED headlights with signature daytime running lights
- 20-inch alloy wheels in gloss Dark Grey
- 14-way heated and cooled front seats with memory
The Defender 90 First Edition adds:
- Terrain Response 2
- Black contrast roof
- Black exterior pack
- Privacy glass
- 20-inch gloss Sparkle Silver alloys
- 12-way electric front seats with memory and heating
- Heated steering wheel
- Metal tread plates with ‘First Edition’ lettering
- Front centre console with refrigerator compartment
- Domestic plug socket
The Defender 90 X gets:
- All-Terrain Progress Control
- Electronic Active Differential with torque vectoring via braking
- X Exterior Pack
- Black exposed rear recovery hooks
- Darkened tail lights
- 20-inch satin Dark Grey alloys
- 14-way heated and cooled front seats with memory
- Heated rear seats
- Rough-cut Walnut wood veneer
- Full-leather steering wheel (no heating)
- Illuminated tread plates
- Extended leather interior
- Ebony Morzine headliner
- Bright metal pedals
- 10-colour ambient lighting
- Meridian Surround Sound System
- Head-up display
All core models (90 to 90 HSE) are offered with the Off-Road Pack, which adds
- Electronic active differential with torque vectoring by braking
- Black roof rails
- Domestic plug sockets
The Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack is also available from base to HSE models and adds:
- All Terrain Progress Control
- Terrain Response 2
- Configurable Terrain Response
The Cold Climate Pack is available for all models bar the First Edition, and adds:
- Heated windscreen
- Heated washer jets
- Headlight power wash
- Heated steering wheel
A Towing Pack is available for all variants except the First Edition, bringing:
- Advanced Off-Road Capability Pack
- Tow-hitch receiver
- Advanced Tow Assist
Finally, the Comfort and Convenience Pack is available on all models bar the First Edition, bringing some or all of the following content depending on model:
- Premium cabin lighting (10-colour)
- Front centre console with refrigerator compartment
- Meridian Sound System
- Wireless device charging
Land Rover Australia is also offering the Defender with a range of accessory packages to further enhance and personalise your vehicle.
Four main packs will be available – Explorer Pack, Adventure Pack, Country Pack and Urban Pack – each bringing aesthetic and functional enhancements.
The Explorer Pack is headlined by:
- Expedition Roof Rack
- Exterior side-mounted gear carrier
- Raised air intake
- Matte Black bonnet decal
- Wheel arch protection
- Front and rear classic mudflaps
The Adventure Pack gets:
- Integrated air compressor
- Exterior side-mounted gear carrier
- Portable rinse systen
- Seat Backpack
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Front and rear mudflaps
The Country Pack adds:
- Front and rear classic mudflaps
- Loadspace partition (full height)
- Portable rinse system
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Wheel arch protection
Finally, the Urban Pack gets:
- Bright metal pedals
- Bright rear scuff plate
- Spare wheel cover
- Front undershield
Standalone options include:
- Air suspension
- Head-up display
- Meridian sound system
The aforementioned X-Dynamic pack is available on S, SE and HSE models and costs $7500.
Servicing
Land Rover offers a five-year servicing plan for the Defender P400, priced at $2650, while diesel models have a plan costing $1950. It has yet to price the servicing plan for the P300.
The Land Rover line-up is covered by a standard three year, 100,000km new vehicle warranty in Australia.
However, the Defender is launching with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and Land Rover has indicated it doesn’t plan to move back to its three-year warranty.
