2023 Land Rover Defender 90

5.0 Liter Supercharged V8

518 HP / 461 TQ

Base Price: $105,750

MPG: 15.2 as observed

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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi

What do the Ford Bronco Raptor and the Jeep Wrangler 392 dream of at night? This Defender 90.

Are you in the market for a rugged 4x4? Have you looked at the Bronco and Jeep and they felt a bit too pedestrian and agricultural for you? Are you looking for something that has all the personality of those two but with civility? Well, I found your 4x4! It’s this Land Rover Defender 90.

It’s everything that makes the Bronco Raptor and Wrangler 392 special but dialed to 11! From power, to cylinders to braking to square footage of leather. It’s the ultimate expression of the modern day 4x4 and my God it’s spellbinding.

This Defender is absolutely amazing in any and all conditions, terrain and roads or rivers. It’s ride quality is luxury car smooth, it’s steering is quick, direct and accurate, it’s brakes are hilariously strong and the way it handles (thanks to it’s minute wheelbase) is downright fun! But it’s the highway ride that shows you where your money went. It’s luxury car smooth! It’s quiet, comfortable and relaxing!

That’s not all though…the most outstanding feature is the powertrain. Powered by a supercharged 5.0 liter V8, the Defender 90 has a bark, bite and howl that nothing that can traverse 3 feet of water has the right to be! It’s power delivery is immediate and never ending. It’s exhaust note is one of the best on the road today and it’s pops, gurgles and overrun will turn anyone into a giggling child immediately. Pair that with the tried and true ZF 8HP transmission it’s a match made in powertrain heaven.

Somehow the Defender 90 finds the perfect middle ground on the interior. Land Rover found a way to make an interior rugged enough that you don’t mind getting it muddy but luxurious enough that you don’t mind taking to a 5 star restaurant. Add that with a cavernous backseat, the 90 can be the perfect vehicle for the person that wants it all.

Is it perfect? Oh dear God no. The infotainment system is coded by a sadist, getting into the rear seat requires a doctorate in Yoga, the rear luggage compartment is tiny and I would kill for an Individual On-Road drive setting. BUT even with those issues…it’s not enough to overcome any of it’s errr spectacularness!

How do I sum up the 2023 Land Rover Defender 90?

Power and an exhaust note that make people take notice, the ability to tackle anything on earth and the civility to cross continents the Land Rover Defender 90 is the singular vehicle that can do it all! I’m in love!