Land Rover Defender Off-Road Capability

Interested in taking the new Land Rover Defender off-road? You’re not alone. This much-anticipated revival of the classic Defender has kept enthusiasts on the edges of their seats, and now that the new Defender is finally here, everyone wants to know what it can do.

We’ve covered this genuine off-roader’s relevant features and specs below, and we’ve also broken down the most comprehensive Land Rover Defender off-road reviews. So, if you’re ready to see this one-of-a-kind vehicle, then look no further. Get up-close and personal by reading on!

Land Rover Defender: Off-Road Features and Capabilities

The new Defender is just as well-suited to Edgewater or Crofton streets as it is to the backroads and trails far from home. If you’re looking to maximize your off-road capability, consider the Explorer Pack or the Adventure Pack. You might also want to spring for a specialized set of off-road tires, or learn more about the Land Rover Defender towing capacity.

Land Rover Defender Off-Road Specifications

The new Defender succeeds in all the areas where it really counts, besting many prominent rivals in the off-road market:

• Ground Clearance: 8.6 inches to 11.5 inches
• Maximum Wading Depth: 35.4 inches
• Approach Angle: 30.1 – 38.0 degrees
• Breakover Angle: 22.0 – 28.0 degrees
• Departure Angle: 37.7 – 40.0 degrees
• Wheelbase: 118.9 inches

Minimum measurements are achievable as standard, while the maximum measurements are those which you’ll achieve by maximizing your air suspension.

Land Rover Defender Off-Road Reviews

As the experts at Motor Trend point out, the “the new Defender eschews body-on-frame construction, live axles, and, in its most capable spec, even steel springs,”–all features that have traditionally been staples in the off-road market.

By launching a model that bucks this many trends, the designers at Land Rover have taken a big risk, but the results speak for themselves.

Wondering how the Defender compares to a top rival? 

• Motor Trendwas quick to point out that “The Defender 110 sports a 38-degree approach, 29-degree break-over, and 40-degree departure angle—the latter two angles beat the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon’s 20- and 37-degree breakover and departure angles, respectively.”

Some seasoned off-roaders have learned to prefer manual differentials in harsh conditions. How does the Defender model’s automatic-locking differential compare to the more traditional set-up?

• Motor Trend’s reviewer concludes: “Turns out there was no reason for such skepticism; the Defender’s two diffs are capable of acting as both limited-slip and locking-differentials, and they frequently (and more importantly, quickly) lock and unlock while driving.”
• They go on to say that “you end up using them far more than you would with manual lockers, which could be a minor inconvenience to toggle on and off.”

Seasoned off-roaders might also have reason to be wary of the new Defender model’s automatic air suspension, since steel springs are held to be more reliable in harsh terrain. Here too, the new Defender succeeded and surprised:

• “Where the Defender’s optional air suspension differs from prior systems is that it uses multiple stages in its long-travel air suspension. This means that even at max off-road height there’s still plenty of travel and impact absorption left in the suspension.”

Interested in overlanding or pushing the limits of the new Defender? A new Land Rover off-road test from Carfection paints a very nice picture:

• Henry Catchpoletook the Land Rover Defender off-road in Namibia, tackling some of the toughest terrain on earth. His three-day adventure highlighted the new Defender model’s “amazing” air suspension and reliable performance, along with its fresh-feeling and luxurious yet “utilitarian” interior.

Experience the New Land Rover for Yourself

If you’re ready to find out how the new Land Rover Defender handles the roads near Edgewater and Severna Park, start exploring our inventory and our Land Rover Defender lease offers today! We may not be able to take you off-road on your test drive, but we know you’ll love how you feel in the driver’s seat.