OVERVIEW
Although the 2022 Land Rover Defender may resemble the 1950s model, it is a wholly contemporary, high-tech off-roader with distinctive curb appeal. Three different engines are available, all of which include four-wheel drive as standard: a turbocharged four-cylinder, a turbo-and-supercharged six-cylinder, and a supercharged V-8.
The Defender is available in two-door 90 and four-door 110 body types, and all variants come with advanced-duty off-roading technology like locking differentials and adjustable air suspension. Few SUVs are as capable as the Defender, and those that are typically drawn from Land Rover's lineup.
Some people might think the Jeep Wrangler is a more affordable option, but the Defender outperforms it in terms of accessible premium amenities and on-road refinement.
What Has Changed For 2022?
The 518-hp Supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 featured in the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models will be added by Land Rover to the Defender lineup for 2022. Both the two-door 90 and the four-door 110 versions will support the V-8; a high-end Carpathian Edition variant will also feature the V-8. The Carpathian Edition package upgrades the Defender's exterior paint to Carpathian Gray, adding black paint to the roof and tailgate, Xenon Blue brake calipers, and special Carpathian Edition badging. Adaptive cruise control, heated and cooled front seats, leather and cloth upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, and an adjustable air suspension are just a few of the luxury and convenience amenities that are included in the new XS trim, which is available on 110 models.
This year, Land Rover will also offer a new, optional 11.4-inch infotainment display and even more accessory external package options. A three-row, even larger Defender 130 variant is in the works, but its release date is unknown. This year, the Trophy Edition model also joins the range. There will only be 220 available, and each one comes with a free entrance to the fall 2021 Land Rover off-road championship in North Carolina.
2022 Land Rover Defender: Engine And Performance
A standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automated transmission powers the 2022 Defender. Naturally, all models include locking differentials and four-wheel drive for negotiating difficult terrain. A 3.0-liter inline-six powered by an electric supercharger and 48-volt hybrid system is also an option for the Defender.
Customers seeking more power can choose the 518-hp supercharged V-8, which in our tests accelerated the Defender 90 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds. The Defender is built with a unibody rather than a body-on-frame system and swaps out the old solid axles for a completely independent suspension.
Coil springs are used in the standard suspension, however, air springs, which allow for changeable ride height can be added. The Jeep Wrangler's maximum clearance and wading capacity are both exceeded by the 11.5-inch ground clearance and 35-inch water-fording capacity of the Land Rover Defender.
2022 Land Rover Defender: Interior And Comfort
The interior of the Defender straddles the line between luxurious and practical, with just enough styling cues from the rest of the Land Rover series to make fans of the brand feel at home. The door panels' exposed rivets give them a particularly tough appearance, and the magnesium beam that spans the entire width of the dashboard serves structural as well as aesthetic purposes.
A trapezoidal expansion of the dashboard beneath the infotainment screen houses the controls for the climate system and driving mode. Instead of the center console, the shifter and ignition switch are positioned on this center stack.
The center console can be flipped back in select versions to form a jump seat between the driver and passenger, comparable to a three-across bench in certain full-size pickup trucks.
The Jeep Wrangler's rear seat baggage space is slightly constrained but comparable to that of competing off-road vehicles like the Land Rover Discovery. Those looking to transport people and cargo may wish to consider the larger Land Rover Discovery or invest in a roof-top load carrier.
2022 Land Rover Defender: Connectivity
A larger 11.4-inch display is an option. The Defender's dashboard is equipped with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs a new Land Rover interface called Pivi Pro. The Touch Pro Duo interface used by the rest of the Land Rover lineup has two touchscreens, while the Defender's system only has one, responds more quickly, and supports over-the-air software updates for upcoming models.
Along with an in-dash navigation system, a six-speaker radio, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, standard features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher-end Defender customers also receive a digital gauge cluster and a head-up display, and Meridian sound systems with 10 or 14 speakers are offered.
2022 Land Rover Defender: Pricing
The basic price of the 2022 Land Rover Defender is $47,700 for the two-door, short-wheelbase model and $50,500 for the four-door model. The basic price for the two-door Defender X and the four-door Defender X increased to $83,500 and $86,000, respectively.
The completely updated Defender V8 variants cost much more: Starting prices for a two-door model range from $102,200 to $109,000, while prices for a four-door V8 Defender start between $105,400 and $112,200.