Landy Labs Guide – New Land Rover Defender (L663)

Model Overview

The current Land Rover Defender (internal code L663) launched for the 2020 model year, bringing back the Defender name after classic production ended in 2016. It is built on Land Rover’s D7x all-aluminum unibody platform and offered in three main body lengths: the three-door Defender 90, and the five-door Defender 110 and 130. It’s designed to combine modern safety and comfort with serious off-road capability.

All new Defenders use an eight-speed automatic transmission with a twin-speed transfer case (low range) and permanent four-wheel drive. Engine options include turbocharged petrol and diesel units, mild-hybrid six-cylinders, a plug-in hybrid (P400e on 110 in many markets), and high-output supercharged or twin-turbo V8s, depending on year and region.

Key Specs (Quick Reference)

Platform: D7x aluminum unibody (no separate ladder frame).
Drive: Front-engine, permanent 4WD, twin-speed transfer case.
Body styles: Defender 90 (3-door), Defender 110 (5-door), Defender 130 (extended 5-door).
Seats: 90 – typically 5 or 6; 110 – up to 5, 6, or 7; 130 – up to 8 in some configurations.
Wading depth: Up to 900 mm (about 35.4 in) with air suspension, across 90 / 110 / 130.
Off-road ground clearance: Roughly 8.6–11.5 in depending on suspension setting.
Towing capacity: Typically 7,716–8,201 lb (about 3,500 kg) when properly equipped.

Engine Families (Typical Line-up, May Vary by Market/Year)

Petrol / Gasoline:

P300 – 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (around 300 PS / 296 hp).
P400 – 3.0L turbocharged mild-hybrid inline-six (around 400 PS / 395 hp).
P400e – 2.0L PHEV (plug-in hybrid) on Defender 110 with combined output around 404 PS.
V8 / V8 OCTA – 5.0L supercharged V8 or newer 4.4L twin-turbo V8 on high-performance models.

Diesel (mainly outside North America):

D200 / D240 – 2.0L four-cylinder turbo diesels on early models.
D200 / D250 / D300 – 3.0L mild-hybrid inline-six diesels on later models.

Exact availability depends on model year and market; always confirm against the specific vehicle’s brochure or VIN decode.

Dimensions & Weights (Typical Values)

Numbers below are representative for a Defender 110; 90 is shorter, 130 is longer. Figures vary by model year and trim.

Defender 90 wheelbase: About 2,587 mm (≈101.8 in).
Defender 110 / 130 wheelbase: About 3,022 mm (≈118.9 in).
Defender 110 overall length: Around 197–198 in including rear-mounted spare.
Width (without mirrors): About 79 in.
Height: Around 77–78 in, depending on suspension and roof options.
Curb weight: Roughly 5,000–5,700 lb depending on engine and equipment.
Cargo volume (110): Around 34 cu ft behind the second row, up to roughly 78–79 cu ft with seats folded.

Off-Road Geometry (Typical 110 with Air Suspension)

Ground clearance (off-road height): Up to around 11.5 in.
Approach angle: Roughly 30–38 degrees depending on trim and bumper design.
Departure angle: Around 38–40 degrees on 90/110; slightly less on the longer 130.
Breakover angle: Around mid-20s degrees (varies by wheelbase and height).
Maximum wading depth: 900 mm (about 35.4 in) with air suspension.

Towing Capacity (New Defender)

Most new Defenders can tow up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) with the standard towing package. Some six-cylinder and V8 variants in 110/130 form are rated up to around 8,201 lb, depending on engine and market. Always check the VIN plate and local regulations for the exact tow rating of a specific vehicle.

Maintenance Intervals

Factory / Dealer Guidance

Official service intervals for the new Defender can vary by engine and region. Many Land Rover dealers publish the following rough guidance:

Four-cylinder petrol or diesel: Around every 2 years or 21,000 miles (≈34,000 km).
Six-cylinder mild-hybrid engines: Also around every 2 years or 21,000 miles.
V8 engines: Often listed as every 1 year or about 16,000 miles (≈25,000 km).

In addition to these engine-based intervals, many Land Rover maintenance schedules describe more traditional mileage/time-based servicing around every 10,000 miles or 12 months as a general rule of thumb. Some owners and independent specialists prefer shorter oil-change intervals (for example 7,500–10,000 miles or annually), especially for vehicles that tow or see regular off-road use.

Important: Always confirm the official maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual or online by VIN for the exact model year and engine, and follow any local warranty requirements.

Known Issues & Common Themes

The new Defender is still a relatively young model compared with the classic trucks. Large, long-term datasets are still developing, but some patterns have emerged from owner surveys and reliability reports. These do not apply to every vehicle, but they are useful areas to pay attention to.

1. Electronics & Infotainment

What: A portion of owners report issues with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, digital displays, and other electronics.
Symptoms: Slow or frozen screens, intermittent warnings, camera or sensor glitches.
Mitigation: Software updates from Land Rover have addressed many early issues. When buying used, confirm that all software updates and technical campaigns have been carried out.

2. Bodywork, Interior Trim & Minor Faults

What: Independent reliability surveys have noted that, where faults occur, they are often related to bodywork, interior trim, or minor electrical systems (rather than major engine or gearbox failures).
Symptoms: Creaks or rattles, wind noise, trim fitment issues, occasional electrical warning lights.
Context: In at least one large survey sample, the proportion of new Defenders reporting a fault was still under a quarter of owners, and many issues were resolved under warranty.

3. Water Ingress & Seals (Some Cases)

What: There have been documented individual cases of water ingress affecting components such as control modules or interior areas.
Symptoms: Damp carpets or trim, condensation, or in a few cases water-affected electronics.
Buyer tip: On any used Defender, check for signs of water leaks around doors, windows, roof rails, and the rear door area, and verify that any related warranty work or recalls have been completed.

4. General Land Rover Brand Reliability Context

Independent studies often rank Land Rover as below average for overall reliability compared with many other brands, especially in terms of electronics and minor faults. At the same time, owners who maintain their vehicles properly and work with a good dealer or specialist often report that the Defender’s core drivetrain and off-road systems perform well. As with most modern, complex 4x4s, consistent maintenance and prompt attention to warning lights are important.

What to Look For When Buying a New-Shape Defender

Software & updates: Confirm that all software updates and campaigns have been completed, especially for infotainment and driver-assistance systems.
Service history: Look for documented servicing at the correct intervals, including any additional oil changes for heavily used or off-road vehicles.
Signs of leaks: Check carpets, headliner and cargo area for water marks or dampness.
Electronics check: Test all cameras, parking sensors, keyless functions, climate controls, seat adjustments and window/mirror operation.
Suspension & steering: Drive at a variety of speeds; listen for knocks or rattles. Confirm air suspension (if fitted) raises/lowers smoothly with no warnings.
Towing use: If the vehicle has a tow bar, ask about towing history and check for any related service work on brakes, transmission or cooling system.
Off-road history: Inspect underbody protection, suspension arms and exhaust for impacts or heavy corrosion if the truck has had extensive trail use.

FAQs

What years is the new Defender (L663) built?

The new Defender entered production in 2019 for the 2020 model year and continues in production at the time of writing. It succeeded the classic body-on-frame Defender that ended production in 2016.

What’s the difference between the Defender 90, 110 and 130?

The Defender 90 is the short-wheelbase three-door model, focused on agility and a more compact footprint. The Defender 110 uses a longer wheelbase and five doors, and can be configured with up to seven seats. The Defender 130 extends the same wheelbase with a longer rear overhang to add even more passenger and cargo space, often with three rows of seating.

Is the new Defender still good off-road?

Yes. Despite switching to a unibody structure, the new Defender has strong off-road credentials: low range, locking center differential, available active rear diff, configurable Terrain Response modes, up to about 11.5 in of ground clearance in off-road height and a maximum wading depth of around 900 mm (with air suspension and Wade Sensing). It remains one of the most capable factory 4x4s on sale.

How much can the new Defender tow?

In most markets, Defenders with the P300 four-cylinder engine tow up to about 7,716 lb (3,500 kg). Models with the P400 six-cylinder and certain V8 versions can tow up to around 8,201 lb when correctly equipped, across both 90 and 110/130 body styles. Always check the specific vehicle’s tow rating before loading a trailer.

What are the recommended service intervals?

Many dealer schedules list the main services approximately every 21,000 miles or 2 years for 4- and 6-cylinder engines, and about every 16,000 miles or 1 year for V8 models. However, general Land Rover maintenance guidance and many owners aim for roughly 10,000 miles or 12 months for oil changes, or shorter intervals for hard use. The correct answer for any given Defender is whatever the owner’s manual and warranty specify for that specific engine and market.

Is the new Defender reliable?

Reliability reports so far are mixed but not uniformly bad. Some owner surveys show a relatively modest fault rate, with most issues relating to electronics, bodywork or trim rather than major mechanical failures. The brand as a whole still scores below average in many reliability rankings. Careful pre-purchase inspection, proof of correct servicing, and up-to-date software are important when evaluating any individual vehicle.

Interesting Facts & Trivia

D7x platform: The Defender’s D7x aluminum architecture is designed to be significantly stiffer than a traditional body-on-frame setup, helping both on-road handling and off-road durability.
Wading tech: Wade Sensing uses the 3D Surround Camera system to show live water depth as you cross streams or flooded sections.
Plug-in hybrid option: The Defender 110 P400e PHEV combines a 2.0L petrol engine with an electric motor and a high-voltage battery, giving a usable electric-only range for short trips along with strong combined power.
Roof load rating: Static roof load (parked) can be around 300 kg on many models, making it suitable for roof tents and expedition racks when correctly equipped.
Modern but familiar: Boxy proportions, upright glass, short overhangs and the rear-mounted spare wheel echo classic Defenders while meeting modern crash and aero requirements.

Always confirm exact specifications, capacities and maintenance schedules for a specific vehicle using its owner’s manual or an official Land Rover source.