Live Thread: One week with a 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound

Colin
By Colin Wood
Jan 16, 2024 | Land Rover, New Car Review, Defender, Live Thread, Defender 130

Photography Credit: David S. Wallens

Wanna ride shotgun with the GRM crew?

Welcome to this week’s test vehicle, a 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound,  "the ultimate combination of capability and comfort. Go further and explore more with space for resting, sleeping and smart storage." So, essentially, the one to buy if you are into overlanding or spending the night in the Walmart parking lot.

This four-door Defender has seating for six and comes powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six mated to a mild hybrid system. In total, Land Rover says the system is good for 395 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque.

This version of the Defender is also rated to tow 8200 pounds and has a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches.

MSRP for the 130 Outbound starts at $84,500, with our tester coming in at $93,188.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/17/24 12:43 p.m.

Even though I'd probably only use a fraction of a Land Rover's off-road capabilities, it'd still be fun to feel like I could conquer any road.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/17/24 1:14 p.m.

You get the weirdest press fleet vehicles.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/17/24 1:24 p.m.

Initial impressions: Despite the knobby-ish tires, it’s much quieter than expected. There’s a little bit of road hum but not much wind noise at all.

An hour behind the wheel? We’re just getting warmed up. 

 

 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/17/24 1:26 p.m.

Perhaps a gauge to the interest in this one: While heading out to show it to our neighbors–they asked if they could stop by and see it–another neighbor stopped to see it. 

All own 4x4 vehicles. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/17/24 1:26 p.m.
Keith Tanner said:

You get the weirdest press fleet vehicles.

Makes it fun. :) 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/17/24 1:28 p.m.

Currently editing yet another track tire test–OMG, I said too much–but back in a bit with more impressions. 

Toyman!
Toyman! GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/17/24 1:32 p.m.

The wheel to tire ratio looks off for serious off-roading. That and slopping through the mud and bouncing off rocks with $95k just isn't going to happen unless the knucklehead on WhistlinDiesel decides to destroy one. 

 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/17/24 1:39 p.m.

In reply to Toyman! :

Serious offroaders are going to change the tires anyhow.

Toyman!
Toyman! GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
1/17/24 1:55 p.m.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

True, but I would rather see more sidewall on an off road 32" tire. Going down a wheel size may not be possible because the front brakes look huge. Going up in tire diameter may mean getting out the body saw. 

Then again, I'm not the person who this is marketed toward. 

I wonder if they borrowed a designer from Ford. 

SUV Review: 2014 Ford Flex Limited | Driving

 

 

Fueled by Caffeine
Fueled by Caffeine MegaDork
1/17/24 3:08 p.m.

whats the odd wart coming out of the pass side of the rover?

 

 

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