Land Rover Defender History & Evolution

The original Land Rover Defender is a true classic in the automotive world. It’s been used by everyone from the British military to the British Royal family. Of course, it’s also commonly found in popular summer colonies, used as a practical no-nonsense vehicle to transport the whole family around from home to beach to restaurant to golf club and back. But there’s also a new generation of Land Rover Defender on the scene in Los Angeles and it’s got a lot of people talking. How did this model come to be? What does it offer? Learn more with Land Rover Anaheim Hills!

Land Rover Defender Origins: History of a Classic

Land Rover Defender history officially begins in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Defender name was adopted. But the first true Defender was almost entirely based on the military-inspired Land Rover Series I, Series II, and Series III SUVs:

• From 1948 to 1958, the Land Rover Series I started it all. Eventually, the Series II replaced it in 1958. Then came the Series III in 1971.
• From 1971 to 1985, the Land Rover Series III became an aspirational SUV for many Orange County and Corona drivers. 
• In 1983, two years before the Series III was retired, the Land Rover 110 went up for sale. The two-door Land Rover 90 would follow just one year later, in 1984. 
• From 1983 to 1990, the Land Rover 110 and Land Rover 90 were sold in the U.K. and elsewhere — but not in the United States!
• In 1990, the Land Rover 110 and the Land Rover 90 would both be given the Defender nameplate — its initial use.
• In 1993, the Defender 110 and the Defender 90 would go on sale for drivers near Los Angeles and Orange County, as well as elsewhere across the U.S.
• In 1997, the Land Rover Defender left the American market yet again, but continued to be sold through 2016 elsewhere.

Highlights the Classic Land Rover Defender

When the Land Rover Defender was released, it was hard to distinguish it from the Land Rover Series III, which actually remained in production until 1985. 

Series III and Defender models shared similar aluminum exterior paneling and almost identical powertrains. However, the Defender was distinguished by its newer grille and its longer hood.

The Land Rover 110 (the first Defender) also boasted:

• A two-speed transfer gearbox
• A lockable center differential
• Coil spring suspension
• Permanent four-wheel drive, as featured in the old Range Rover
• More luxurious interior features and appointments

Although the Defender was only available in the U.S. for four short years, it cemented its reputation as a capable off-roader, a quirky SUV with character, and a more upscale, rarefied alternative to vehicles such as the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, or even the Toyota Land Cruiser.

New Land Rover Defender: Features & Highlights

Motor Trend named the new Land Rover Defender its 2021 SUV of the Year. Why is that? The all-new Land Rover Defender comes in 90 and 110 variants, just like classic Defender models did. It of course, is available here in the U.S. And though it offers similar off-road capabilities as older models, it also has a modern flair all its own, not to mention a more comfortable, upscale interior.

Here are some features & highlights of the new Defender:

New Land Rover Defender Base Pricing

• Defender 90 Base Price: $47,700
• Defender 110 Base Price: $50,500

New Land Rover Defender Features

• Infotainment: Pivi Pro touchscreen system with an upgradeable 11.4-inch color display.
• Performance: Available six-cylinder, eight-cylinder, or four-cylinder engine options.
• Design: From available steel wheels to a rear-mounted spare tire and swing-out tailgate, to an available black or white color-contrasting roof, the Defender boasts unique touches that are both nods to previous models as well as unique selling points.
• Capability: We can’t forget to mention capability. The new Defender has it in spades. From wade sensing, which can actively measure water depth when fording to impressive approach and departure angles, to a configurable Terrain Response system that lets you adjust your vehicle’s handling over different off-roading conditions, the new Defender is as ready to it the trails as you are.

Your New Land Rover Defender is Here at Land Rover Anaheim Hills

Now that you’ve had a chance to read about the Land Rover Defender classic models and the general Land Rover Defender history leading up to the current model, we invite you to direct any additional questions to our team at Land Rover Anaheim Hills by calling (714) 646-6039 or reaching out online. Meanwhile, as you explore the new Defender for sale, we encourage you to value your trade online!