More powerful diesel engine gives Defender 130 kick in its step

The Land Rover Defender 130 started life in 2023 as a very capable eight-seater SUV. Recent updates have transformed it into an even more capable and comfortable ride, albeit at the expense of one seat at optimal trim level.

The introduction of a more powerful diesel engine, the option of Captain Chairs in the second row and the standard inclusion of the Signature Interior Pack has given the Defender 130 a lot of impetus in the luxury three-row SUV segment. We recently sampled the 130 in D350 X spec to put the updates to the test.

Starting with the powertrain, the Ingenium 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbo mill has been upgraded from D300 to D350 guise. This results in 257kW of power and 700Nm of torque, up 36kW/50Nm from before. The twist is still sent to all four wheels via eight-speed automatic transmission.

Defender 130 gets faster

JLR claims that the D350 will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds compared to the D300’s 7.5 seconds. The Citizen Motoring did not put either of these cars through a high-performance test, but believes that the claims are accurate.

Flooring a 5.3 metre monstrosity that weighs in at over two-and-a-half tons when the light turns green isn’t something on our daily to-do list. But spending less time on the wrong side of the road when overtaking should be seen as a win. In this case, the additional oomph comes in very handy.

We also noticed a marked improvement in fuel consumption. We could not get the Defender 130 D300 to dip under 15 litres per 100km, while the D350 came in at 13.5L/100km.

ALSO READ: Seating for eight is great in the Land Rover Defender 130

Like we’ve said before, the 130 drives remarkably well for such a long car. The air suspension soaks up the imperfections of the road up like a sponge, which is always a plus on our pothole-ridden roads.

Additional comfort inside

Opting for the Captains Chair pack at some additional cost sees the three-seater second row being transformed into two separate seats with arm rests on both sides. This not only creates easier access to the three-seater third row, but also more leg space for the occupants in the last row.

Our Defender 130 was fitted with the optional heated and cooled seats with winged headrests in the second row. At a touch under R30 000, these are a must.

Also part of the range update sees the inclusion of the Signature Interior Pack as standard on the Defender X. The pack ensures 14-way electronically adjustable front seats with heating and cooling functions along with winged headrests. It also adds a heating function for the third row.

ALSO READ: JLR approves pricing for updated Defender, including new diesel

High-quality materials

The Signature Interior Pack combines a comprehensive suite of upgrades to Defender 130’s interior across seating and trim finishes for an even more distinctive environment.

The Signature Interior Pack also provides material upgrades throughout the Defender’s cabin, which includes Windsor Leather and Kvadrat seats which features the combination of Caraway and Ebony in our tester. The quality feel of the leather really provides the interior with a proper premium feel.

At a starting price of R2 327 700 before options, the Defender 130 D350 X comes at a premium. But it offers a lot of premium car in a segment that is not that densely populated.