2023 Land Rover Defender 130 | Luxury Off Road Family Hauler
Today, I have an exciting (and slightly unique) car tour on deck! Usually I wait to save my opinions until the end, but this car is one of the coolest I’ve toured so far this year. The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is a luxury off-roading combination, full of the latest tech perfect for families. Let’s dive in so I can show you all it has to offer!
By the end of this post, you’ll understand all the features on the interior and exterior of the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 to see how it ranks with other three row family vehicles in the luxury category.
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2023 Land Rover Defender Exterior
The Land Rover Defender has been officially brought back to the states with a few models available: the 110 and 130 (the new model on the market). The 130 is the larger version of the Defender, with three rows of seating.
The front is simply stunning. It gives storm trooper, Ford Bronco, and Ford Flex had a baby in the best possible way. The car is a bit boxier in design, from the grill to headlights, but it comes off as really modern and sleek. I’m so happy to see after a while we are finally making SUVs that look like classic SUVs!
From a side view, you can truly see how large the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is. With air suspension put up all the way, it becomes quite a tall vehicle. None of this is to say the exterior skimps on luxury. The details present (especially in white) really pop out and give it that modern edge.
Maybe a hot take, but both my husband and I agree that the mirrors are a bit small for the size of the Defender. Not a deal breaker, but definitely worth noting for day-to-day commute.
Last thing to note is quite possibly my favorite tail lights I’ve ever seen on a car. The smaller squares are such a fun design that looks so good with the matching front lights. The full size spare on the back really completes the off-roading look and ups that cool look.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 First Row Details
Throughout this entire vehicle, there is a really great mix of a luxury and gritty feel that the Land Rover Defender is famous for. You can see especially in the first row how many “oh crap” handles are present throughout for that true off-roading experience.
The steering wheel is something that really grabbed my attention. When the vehicle is turned off, the buttons are really minimal and sleek. When turned on, the buttons are beautifully backlit to show an elevated touch. Little details like this are all over the Defender and make the expensive price tag feel justified.
The entire first row is full of storage options that are great for daily travel. The passenger side storage is amazing, but the middle console is just average size in my opinion. The wireless charger does make up for it, especially with such easy access to it.
Infotainment System
The completely digital dash has everything I look for in a 2023 vehicle, such as seat belt sensors. Even with a car seat installed, this feature works great.
As for the infotainment system itself, it seems to be pretty user-friendly. Although I don’t have a ton of experience with the Land Rover lineup, I enjoyed using it and think it looks really nice and high-end. It of course has Apple Carplay, Android Auto, all the things, but also includes some crazy cameras.
These cameras are most likely designed for off roading, but make parking such a large vehicle simple. With a 3-D 360 degree view of the vehicle, you’re able to see everything around you in clear detail.
You may or may not know, but I am very particular about buttons in the first row. Personally, I prefer features such as driving features and AC control out of the infotainment system for easier use when driving. The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 has exactly what I love and keeps the infotainment system itself really simple.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Second Row Details
So I said this vehicle is family friendly, and this bench seating blew me out of the water. I review so many midsize SUVs with so many different bench seats, and the Land Rover Defender 130 is one of the best I’ve seen on the market.
Across the bench, it has two sets of lower anchors and three tether anchors. With a variety of different brands of seats for each of my three kids, we have great clearance that can accommodate a ton of options.
Although this bench seating is not technically three separate seats, you’re still able to fold down each individual seat instead of two together. This allows for the pros of captain’s chairs without compromising the three across of a bench.
If you’re looking for an off-roading vehicle that can still have the accommodations of a family car, the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is the best choice over the Bronco and Wrangler 100%.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Third Row Details
Access to the third row is not my favorite. It doesn’t come with the classic car seat tilt, however this bench is so wide a carseat can be installed in the middle and you have third row access with the outer seat. It’s not the widest opening (I wish it is wider), but does the job.
Even though many midsize SUVs advertise their third row as comparable to the second row, more often than not that’s not the case. The Land Rover Defender 130 actually delivers on its promise of a usable third row. It comes with lower anchors on the outer seats and tether anchors across the back as well.
The space in the third row is okay. With the second row being pushed all the way back, my knees were braced against them. That being said, I do have decent leg room and amazing head clearance. Also, the sun roof in the third row is such an amazing touch!
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Trunk Details
The trunk is one of the refrigerator doors which I kinda like. If I had to pick, I’d probably choose overhead for more convenience, but with a car as cool as this the trunk adds to the overall vibe.
With the third row up, you get about 13 cubic feet of space which is not stellar. However, the third row can easily be folded down- I will say they don’t sit completely flat. Not quite as clunky as the Sequoia and does not bother me that much.
On the left inside of the trunk, you’re able to increase or decrease the suspension in the Defender, which makes it look really cool and works great for off-roading needs.
2023 Land Rover Defender 130 Wrap Up
The 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 is a beautiful combination of a luxury vehicle that prioritizes the off-roading experience. Although the third row and trunk are just average in comparison to others on the market, the stellar second row bench seat makes up for it. Overall, I think this vehicle is a great addition to the midsize SUV list and is just a really cool looking car you can drive day-to-day.
To view a complete walk through of the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130, watch my car tour here.
What do you think of the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130? Please let us know in the comments! And to see how other SUVs on the market compare, check out my latest car tours:
