BY Motlatsi Kekana
I like big cars, I cannot lie! And Land Rover is synonymous with big, luxury cars. We are all familiar with the latest versions of their Defender, which has come a very long from its British off-roading origins and rugged, pick-up truck days.
I have a confession to make. I never cared much for the Defender until recently when I felt it was exactly what I needed to comfort me after the emptiness resulting from the loss of the Land Rover Discovery.
If you have paid close attention in the last couple of years, vehicles have become rounder and curved, (i.e., the VW Tiguan). That meant the discontinuation of my absolute favourite, the third-generation box-shape Land Rover Discovery LR4 2013. I was gutted and I absolutely couldn’t relate to the Range Rover look-alike Discovery anymore. Fast forward to this year, the broad and comfortable shoulders of the Defender were there to catch and comfort me from my deep, Disco loss.
Recently, I got a chance to get behind the wheel of the Defender 110. It was everything I imagined it would be. Intimidating, because of its large nature, handsome – I imagine it to be a rippled, male rugby player –and comfortable beyond measure. My family also instantly embraced this car and dubbed it a Living Room on Wheels owing to the sheer amount of space and comfort worth raving about.
The drive is what makes the Defender that much more spectacular. The diesel engine is very responsive and remains a balanced big body car at those sharp turns, and handles like a dream. Yes, its size makes you want to be extra cautious when parking at the shopping center, but you get lots of help in the form of 360 video cameras paired with the clear sight rear-view mirror that quickly melts away your parking anxiety at the onset. That’s the thing about the tech in the car, easy to understand and helps the driver to approach driving with confidence and zero pressure. The Defender can take on any terrain, the air suspension allows for the car to drive smoothly on our imperfect roads taking on anything that comes its way.
Verdict. It is a perfect car for an adventurous family who likes to engage in outdoor activities on weekends. This segment has competitors such as the Toyota Fortuner and the new Ford Everest that have a similar offering to the Defender – off-roading, adventure, and space. But, I am convinced that we can all agree that there is just something about the Defender that stands out shoulder above like a confident scrum-half it is. Take it from someone who loves big cars, the Defender was my idea of a great ride, any day. And I can promise that the second you perch yourself behind the steering wheel, you will fall in love instantly.
Starting Price at R1 263 542
