The Land Rover Defender is an off-road vehicle produced under this name by the British manufacturer, Land Rover, since 1991. However, the vehicle is the direct heir of the first Land Rover that made its debut in 1948. The first prototype was built by the British automaker in 1947 and it was designed for the army. This iconic car was improved over the years and it has been known for generations as a national treasure.
Those who are looking to buy a vehicle that can carry passengers and luggage across any kind of terrain to any destination on the planet would do well with a Land Rover Defender. While no one could describe a ride with the Defender as a luxurious one, this is a practical vehicle that shows its true potential on inhospitable terrain. Consumers can purchase a Land Rover Defender at Land Rover dealerships and on the online retailer, eBay. By learning more about different versions of the Land Rover Defender and how to purchase them, buyers can be certain they are satisfied in every way with their new vehicle.
1. Learning What to Expect From a Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover series is a British classic and it is one of the most realistic options for those who are looking for an off-road vehicle that is completely reliable on any kind of terrain. The Land Rover Defender offers the driver the perfect choice when it comes to a mixture of uneven terrain and motorway driving. The Defender is the true heir of the iconic Land Rover designed after the Second World War and it inherits most of its characteristics as well as its recognisable classy design.
With over 20 versions available, the Land Rover Defender may pose a few problems to the first-time buyer. Buyers can definitely feel overwhelmed by the multiple choices, so it is essential to do some research prior to making a decision. Buyers should, nevertheless, expect to find the same main characteristics in all versions. Powerful engines, a six-speed gearbox, and a spectacular four-wheel capability are all common features for all of the versions of the Defender.
2. Choosing Between Different Versions of the Land Rover Defender
Before being known as the Land Rover Defender, the same vehicle was called the Land Rover Ninety. Because the British automaker developed the Discovery model in 1989, the first Land Rover had to get a new name, and it thus became the Land Rover Defender. It has been produced continuously since 1990 and it is available in several versions. The following chart illustrates all of the available versions of the Land Rover Defender and several essential technical specifications.
Land Rover Defender Version | 0 to 60 mph (secs) | Top Speed (mph) | Average MPG |
14.7
|
90
|
28.3
| |
4x4 110 2.2D Chassis Cab 5dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 90 2.2D Hard Top 3dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
28.3
|
4x4 110 2.2D Pick Up 2dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D Pick Up High Capacity 2dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D Hard Top 5dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 90 2.2D Station Wagon 3dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
28.3
|
4x4 110 2.2D Double Cab Pick Up 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 130 2.2D Chassis Cab 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 90 2.2D County Station Wagon 3dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D Station Wagon 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D Utility Wagon 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D County Double Cab PU 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 130 2.2D D'ble Cab Chassis Cab 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.7
|
4x4 110 2.2D County Station Wagon 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 110 2.2D County Utility Wagon 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
4x4 130 2.2 Double Cab Pick Up 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.7
|
4x4 110 2.2D XS Double Cab Pick Up 5dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
25.7
|
4x4 90 2.2D XS Station Wagon 3dr
|
14.7
|
90
|
28.3
|
4x4 110 2.2D XS Utility Wagon 5dr
|
15.7
|
90
|
25.5
|
As it can be seen from the chart above, the average fuel consumption varies from one version to another, as does the time required to reach a speed of 60 mph. In addition to these numbers, buyers should also consider the capacity of the tank and the type of fuel used. The Land Rover Defender is available in petrol and diesel versions.
3. Considering the Optional Features
All Land Rover Defender vehicles come with a number of standard features, but many buyers are interested in upgrading these. The range of specialised accessories made available for the Defender can add a touch of style and individuality to this off-road vehicle. Among the items available are interior enhancements, exterior styling, and carrying and towing options. Interior styling options include rigid loadspace protectors, a baby-safe infant carrier, waterproof seat covers, audio connectivity systems, and more. Side protection runners, folding rear steps, raised air intake, LED rear lamps, and rear step bumpers are just some of the exterior styling accessories. When it comes to carrying and towing accessories, buyers can opt for sports bar systems, aqua sports carriers, luggage boxes, rear access ladders, two-part access ladders, expedition roof rack systems, tow balls, and more.
4. Considering a Used Land Rover Defender
The price of a new Land Rover Defender can exceed 30,000 pounds, so buyers who are on a budget may consider a used vehicle. The good news about buying a used Land Rover Defender is the fact that buyers can choose from numerous models produced over the years. This means that there is a Land Rover Defender for any budget. Moreover, buyers can choose a version that comes with all of the features they may find useful. All it takes is to browse the selection on the market carefully. Buying a used Land Rover Defender is not easy because buyers need to pay close attention to the condition of the vehicle, its history, and the way in which it was maintained over the years.
5. Pros and Cons of Buying a Land Rover Defender
The signature off-road vehicle produced by Land Rover comes with plenty of features and a powerful engine, but it may not be the right choice for all buyers. There are both pros and cons of driving a Land Rover Defender. The summary below may help buyers make the right decision.
Pros | Cons |
Supreme off-road capability
Towing capacity
Huge load space
|
Outdated ergonomics
Expensive
Not great on urban roads
Utilitarian design may look austere
|
This is a simple summary of the pros and cons of owning a Land Rover Defender. Multiple other aspects need to be taken into account. Research is very important when buying an off-road vehicle, and buyers should consider the way they intend to use the car before making a choice.
How to Buy a Land Rover Defender on eBay
Buying a Land Rover Defender on eBay may seem like a daunting task, particularly because there are so many versions available. Most of the Land Rover Defender vehicles you can find on eBay were built after 1990, but if you are looking for a vintage 4x4, it is possible to find it as well. In any case, you need to be careful about a few aspects when trying to buy a Land Rover Defender on eBay.
Start the search for your perfect off-road vehicle by typing the words " Land Rover Defender " into eBay's search bar. You can then browse through the selection with ease and narrow down the results by price, model, year, and other specifications. Remember to read the description of the car carefully, paying special attention to any faults it may have. Contacting the seller for any questions you may have is easy, so you should not hesitate to do it to clarify any doubts. Make sure you check the service history of the Land Rover Defender you want to buy prior to making the purchase.
Conclusion
The Land Rover Defender is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a vehicle that handles splendidly off-road and performs well on absolutely any kind of terrain. This capability has been at the heart of the Land Rover design since the first vehicle went on the market in 1948. There are several other vehicles in the same class that are designed with rugged reliability over rough terrain, but none of them have the iconic status of the Land Rover Defender.
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Land Rover is a British automobile manufacturer that specialises in four-wheel drive vehicles. Land Rover's headquarters are located in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Land Rover is the second oldest manufacturer of four-wheel drive vehicles after Jeep. The company boasts an impressive line of current four-wheel drive vehicles, stemming from the original vehicle design implemented by Maurice Wilks in 1947. Today, Land Rover is part of the Jaguar Land Rover group, which is owned by Tata Motors. It is best known for its Range Rover model. While Land Rover vehicles are now primarily luxury SUVs operated by everyday consumers, Land Rovers have also been used in military capacity, most notably the British and Australian armies. Some of the Land Rover vehicles, such as the Defender model, still embody this box-frame, military-esque design.
Land Rover models are available for purchase at Land Rover dealerships, used car dealerships, and online at helpful websites like eBay. There are a couple of tips a consumer should utilise before purchasing a Land Rover including understanding its history, researching the different models, comparing each model side by side, setting a budget, and considering used vehicles.
Tip 1: Understand the History of Land Rover
Before delving into shopping for a Land Rover,, a consumer should understand a little bit about this manufacturer's history. Over time, Land Rover has been described as both a vehicle model and a vehicle company. Land Rover was originally launched as a four-wheel drive vehicle model by the Rover Company. This early model was based on a military vehicle with a sturdy box section, ladder-frame chassis. While the original Land Rover was mainly purchased for commercial use, by 1970, the Land Rover had evolved into a passenger vehicle called the Range Rover.
Subsequently, by 1978, Land Rover no longer described a current model available, but rather a separate subsidiary company of British Leyland, who previously acquired the Rover Company. Therefore, today, consumers should understand that Land Rover is often used interchangeably with the name Range Rover. However, technically, Land Rover refers to the vehicle manufacturer, whereas Range Rover refers to a specific model of a Land Rover vehicle. Understanding a little bit about the history of Land Rover helps clear up any confusion when shopping for vehicles produced by Land Rover.
Tip 2: Research Current Models of Land Rovers Available
While the Series I, II, IIA, and III Land Rover models and the Classic Range Rover are no longer produced, there are currently six models of Land Rover vehicles available on the market. These models include: the Defender, Discovery, Freelander, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, and Range Rover Sport.
Defender
The Land Rover Defender is the closest model available to the original Land Rover model, first produced in 1948. The Defender is an all-wheel drive, off-road utility vehicle with a front engine that was first produced in 1983. The current Defender has a boxy shape, with five contrast colour roof choices available, and a lightweight aluminium body. The Defender comes standard with rear mudflaps and a side panel with no window. The Defender has two seats and comes with the option of either vinyl or cloth interior.
The Defender has a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 360Nm of torque. The Defender comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission and a locking centre differential, specifically designed for heavy-duty driving applications. In addition to the all-terrain tyres, the Defender has a diesel particulate filter, underseat bottle jack, and power-assisted steering. The Defender is designed for a consumer that is looking for supreme functionality and secure load carrying capacity.
Discovery 4
The Land Rover Discovery 4 is a mid-size, off-road, permanent four-wheel drive SUV in its fourth generation of production. While the Defender is utility-focused, the Discovery 4 offers the versatility of a handling challenging terrain but with comfort and style. The exterior of the Discovery 4 has an upper/lower split rear tailgate, oberon door handles, and body-coloured front bumpers, wheel arches, applique panels, and mirror caps. The interior of the Discovery 4 comes in either cloth or leather seating.
The Discovery 4 has a 3.0-litre diesel engine producing 255 horsepower. The Discovery 4 comes standard with an eight-speed drive select transmission and steering wheel mounted paddle shift. The Discovery 4 also offers gradient acceleration control, hill descent control, and electronic air suspension and terrain response. With three rows of seating and optional tow assist, the Discovery 4 is a good compromise for someone looking for a combination luxury and utility SUV.
Freelander 2
The Freelander 2 is Land Rover's traditional compact SUV. Now in its second generation, the Freelander 2 complements a modern active lifestyle for the town or country. While as capable and versatile as any Land Rover model, the Freelander 2 offers better handling and manoeuvrability for city streets. The Freelander 2 has a sporty but sophisticated exterior with grille bars and side fender vents. The Freelander 2 comes standard with cloth interior and stadium seating with a 60/40 rear seat split design.
The Freelander 2 has a 2.2-litre diesel engine that boasts 150 horsepower and six-speed manual transmission with stop/start system technology. The Freelander comes standard with two-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes. The Freelander 2 is a good choice for consumers who like the practical advantages and control of a small SUV, but do not require the maximum in four-wheel drive capability.
Range Rover
The Range Rover is Land Rover's signature luxury, four-wheel drive SUV. Now in its fourth generation, the Range Rover has also been coined the "Range Rover Vogue". The Range Rover is stylish yet muscular, with an imposing front grille, side fender vent graphics, clamshell bonnet, and the appearance of a floating roof. The rear lamps use LED-technology and feature a distinct graphic square pattern. The interior of the Range Rover comes in a variety of colours utilising Oxford leather materials and has three-zone climate control and a heated steering wheel.
The Range Rover has a 3.0-litre LR-TDV6 diesel engine with a maximum torque of 600Nm. The rev range on the Range Rover is delivered by parallel sequential turbocharging. The Range Rover comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, terrain response, cornering brake control, and permanent four-wheel drive. The Range Rover is a good choice for consumers interested in a trusted luxury SUV with all the capabilities of a four-wheel drive, off-roading vehicle.
Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque is Land Rover's newest compact SUV. The Range Rover evoque comes in three-door or five-door, as well as two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The Range Rover Evoque is designed to combine sport, prestige, and energy-efficiency. The Range Rover Evoque has a striking exterior design with halogen headlamps and a front bumper blade. The interior of the Range Rover Evoque is leather and has heated front seats and a rear bench seat that splits 60/40.
The two-wheel drive Range Rover Evoque has a 2.2-litre eD4 engine with 150 horsepower. The Range Rover Evoque boasts the quietest, most refined performance with the best fuel economy figures in the Land Rover family. The two-wheel drive Evoque comes standard with six-speed manual transmission with features that allow it to perform on both on-road and off-road terrain. The Range Rover Evoque is a good choice for consumers who are concerned about energy-efficiency and style, but enjoy the luxury of a small SUV.
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is a luxury SUV now in its second generation. The exterior of the Range Rover Sport is meant to express power, drama, and sport with strong body lines, a floating roof, and fast-raked widescreen angle. The Range Rover Sport has a contemporary sports-car interior with clean lines and an abundance of space and light. The Range Rover Sport has a 5+2 seating design with two secret seats stowed under the luggage compartment.
The Range Rover Sport has a 3.0-litre LR-TDV6 diesel engine with 258 horsepower, making it Land Rover's most agile and responsive vehicle yet. The Range Rover Sport has permanent four-wheel drive with 0 to 96.6 kilometres per hour in 7.1 seconds. The Range Rover Sport also offers adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. The Range Rover Sport is a great choice for consumers who are looking for a dynamic SUV with great handling but the look of a sports-vehicle.
Tip 3: Compare Each Current Model of Land Rover
The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison of the current models of Land Rovers available. The chart lays out each vehicle's fuel tank capacity, weight, length, height, and affordability.
Model | Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | Weight (gross kg) | Length (mm) | Height (mm) | Affordability |
60
|
3,050
|
1,030
|
1,050
|
€
| |
Discovery 4
|
82.3
|
3,240
|
4,829
|
1,882
|
€€
|
Freelander 2 (Manual)
|
68
|
2,505
|
4,500
|
1,740
|
€
|
Range Rover
|
85
|
3,000
|
4,999
|
1,835
|
€€€€
|
Range Rover Evoque (Coupe)
|
55
|
2,350
|
4,365
|
1,605
|
€€
|
Range Rover Sport
|
88.2
|
3,070
|
4,900
|
1,788
|
€€€
|
This gives consumers a side-by-side comparison of the current models of Land Rovers available for purchase. This chart should not take the place of individual research into each model.
Tip 4: Set a Budget
Because the current Land Rover models are available in a range of different prices, it is important for consumers to set a budget before beginning the shopping process. By determining a consumer's ideal price range, and maximum price range, buyers have a better idea of what models they can afford. Additionally, setting a budget helps consumers determine how much leeway they have to choose additional options and upgrades.
Tip 5: Consider Used vs. New Land Rovers
For consumers concerned about the affordability of a Land Rover, there is also the used Land Rover option. Typically, used Land Rovers have a lower sticker price than their new counterparts. However, this usually means that the Land Rover is at least a couple years old and has a number of kilometres on it. When looking for used Land Rovers, consumers should focus on finding a reliable seller, finding a vehicle that is between two and five years old, and finding a vehicle with less than 16,000 kilometres on it. The more years and kilometres a Land Rover has on it, the more long-term maintenance and repair costs a consumer typically faces.
How to Buy a Land Rover on eBay
Regardless of what your SUV preference is, there are a range of Land Rover models to fit a variety of consumer needs. From the classic Range Rover to the energy-efficient Range Rover Evoque, eBay has thousands of Land Rover models, old and new, to choose from. Perhaps you are interested in viewing the Freelander 2 options on eBay. To accomplish this, simply navigate to the eBay website portal and type Freelander 2 into the keyword search box. After you click the search button, a list of options matching this exact description are populated for you. You can also narrow down the options by colour and model year.
It is no secret that the Land Rover family of SUVs are not the cheapest vehicles on the market. That being said, it is important that you purchase one of these luxury vehicles from a reputable and reliable seller. To help with this, eBay provides a forum for buyer feedback. You can scroll through each seller to learn what previous buyers had to say about their experience purchasing from the seller. Researching buyer feedback helps put you at ease when purchasing a Land Rover vehicle on eBay.
Conclusion
Although no longer the name of a vehicle model, Land Rover continues to maintain its place in the SUV market by producing a family of quality, luxury four-wheel drive vehicles. Some of the vehicles Land Rover produces, such as the Defender, are reminiscent of the original utility vehicle produced as the Land Rover. On the other hand, other vehicles, such as the Range Rover Evoque have evolved far past this utility model. That being said, all of the Land Rover family vehicles are capable of performing on a variety of different terrains. Additionally, each Land Rover vehicle is equipped with unique features and capabilities.
Land Rover is known for luxury and design, but not always affordability. As a result, consumers should go into the purchasing process of a Land Rover vehicle, equipped with as much knowledge as possible about the evolution of the Land Rover brand and the vehicle model they are interested in. After setting a budget, considering a used Land Rover, and researching the different models of Land Rovers currently manufactured, consumers have the right tools to determine what Land Rover is the right vehicle for them.