by Michael Satterfield - Photos by Lucas Kepner - 10/02/2024
When Land Rover introduced the new Defender in 2020, the brand effectively revived one of its most iconic off-road vehicles. The 2024 Land Rover Defender X builds on this legacy, offering an impressive combination of off-road prowess, modern technology, and undeniable luxury. However, the price tag remains a sticking point for those of us who once saw the Defender as an affordable, go-anywhere vehicle. The Defender X now sits firmly in the luxury SUV market, with a starting price north of $90,000, leaving us to question if this is still the off-roader we’d take through the mud and brush.
The 2024 Defender X is hard to resist. Its rugged design echoes the utilitarian roots of the original Defender, while modern styling elements like blacked-out 22-inch wheels and the contrasting black roof give it an upscale appearance. Power comes from a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, making it quick on the road and capable on rough terrain.
Off-road, the Defender X continues to impress. The air suspension allows for adjustable ride height, and Land Rover’s Terrain Response system lets you tailor the vehicle’s settings to handle mud, sand, rocks, and snow with ease. Add in features like hill descent control, locking differentials, and advanced all-wheel drive, and it’s clear the Defender X is as capable as ever when the pavement ends.
Here’s where the dilemma lies: while the Defender X can handle rough terrain, its price and luxury features make you think twice before subjecting it to the kind of abuse off-road adventures entail. With a base price nearing six figures, this is no longer the utilitarian workhorse it once was. In the past, the Defender was a vehicle you could take to remote trails without worrying about every scratch or dent. But now, with leather seats, high-end materials, and an abundance of technology, it feels more like a vehicle meant to be admired in the driveway of a luxury home than tested on a rugged trail.
The high-end interior features—such as the leather-wrapped seats, customizable ambient lighting, and premium Meridian sound system—make it hard to justify dragging this vehicle through the mud. While the Defender X is undoubtedly capable off-road, its status as a luxury SUV means it’s more likely to be spotted at a posh country club than on the Rubicon Trail.
The 2024 Defender X’s price makes positioning as a practical off-road vehicle difficult. Competing against luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Lexus GX, it’s hard to imagine taking such a costly vehicle into environments where damage is almost guaranteed. Jeep Wranglers, Ford Broncos, and Toyota 4Runners offer equally capable off-road performance at a fraction of the price, and their more utilitarian nature makes them much easier to use and abuse on trails. Even the retro Ineos Grenadier starts at over $28,000 less than the Defender X.
While the Defender X’s blend of luxury and capability is admirable, it’s not the affordable, rugged off-roader that the Defender name used to represent. The premium features are fantastic for daily driving, but they feel out of place in an off-road setting.
The 2024 Defender X really shines on paved roads. Thanks to the air suspension, adaptive dynamics, and mild-hybrid powertrain, it offers a smooth and comfortable ride on highways and in the city. The inline-six engine is powerful enough to provide quick acceleration, while the all-wheel-drive system keeps the vehicle stable even in adverse weather conditions.
The Defender X feels more like a Range Rover than an off-roader for daily driving. The luxurious cabin, advanced driver-assist features, and quiet ride make it perfect for long road trips or commutes. The head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and 11.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto all enhance the driving experience, making this SUV feel just as at home in urban environments as it would be on dirt trails.
The interior of the 2024 Defender X is where the luxury takes over. While Land Rover has tried to maintain some of the utilitarian charm with exposed screws and rugged materials, the cabin feels much more luxurious than any previous Defender. Leather-wrapped seats, customizable ambient lighting, and a top-tier Meridian sound system create a refined atmosphere, while advanced tech features such as wireless phone charging and a digital rearview mirror make it clear that this is a thoroughly modern vehicle.
There’s no denying that the interior is comfortable and well-equipped. Still, the luxury materials and features make it harder to see the Defender as a rough-and-tumble off-roader. It’s difficult to imagine dragging a vehicle with this level of refinement through mud or sand without wincing at the potential damage.
Despite the Defender X’s luxury leanings, it hasn’t lost its off-road capability. Land Rover’s off-road pedigree is still evident in the Defender X, with features like the air suspension that can raise the vehicle for more ground clearance and the Terrain Response system that adjusts settings for different driving conditions. The 2024 model also includes a configurable off-road mode, allowing drivers to fine-tune the vehicle’s performance based on the terrain they’re tackling.
Locking differentials, low-range gearing, and a wading depth of up to 35.4 inches make the Defender X one of the most capable off-road vehicles in its class. But again, the question arises: how many owners will take their $90,000-plus SUV into situations that might result in scratches, dings, or worse?
The 2024 Land Rover Defender X is undeniably a fantastic vehicle. It combines the rugged off-road capability that made the Defender a legend with the modern luxury and technology that today’s buyers expect. But for off-road enthusiasts, the Defender X presents a conundrum. Its high price and luxury features make it harder to justify taking off the beaten path, especially when more affordable alternatives like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco offer similar capabilities for less money.
Ultimately, the Defender X seems more at home in the world of luxury SUVs than in the rough-and-tumble off-road landscape it was originally designed to conquer. For those who want a highly capable, luxury off-roader and aren’t concerned about price, the Defender X is an excellent choice. But for purists who long for the rugged, affordable Defender of old, this new version might feel just a little too posh for serious off-road adventures.
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