What is a Defender? A Defender is an SUV built at Land Rover’s Nitra plant in Slovakia. The Nitra plant opened in 2018 and is one of several locations where Land Rovers are manufactured and sold worldwide. The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 is classified as a full size SUV and is an off-road capable vehicle with lots of passenger and cargo space.
On the 2025 Land Rover Defender 130, the 130 signifies that it is the largest body style available in the Defender lineup, meaning it has a longer wheelbase and can seat more passengers than the smaller Defender 90 and 110 models. It also has more cargo space and overall interior room and it indicates the vehicle’s size within the Defender family.
The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 is a luxury 5 door SUV with 3 rows of seats and seating for up to 8 people. It’s available in 5 models, including the Defender V8, Defender Outbound, Defender X, Defender X-Dynamic SE, and Defender S. The Defender X sits right in the middle of the model line-up in options, price and power.
This week, Land Rover sent me a Defender 130 SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this X model is $100,900. The options on the test SUV are: the towing pack for $1,294, the cold climate pack for $500, the 2nd row heated and cooled captains chairs for $1,000, the Wi-Fi package for $360, the interior protection pack for $310, the emergency pack for $75 and the Handover pack for $28. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,625 destination charge, is: $106,092.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your driveway total purchase price came to: $119,354. At just $646 bucks under $120 Grand, this full size SUV comes with every option Land Rover offers on this Defender X 130 model. At near $120,000, it is over the $100,000 threshold of the luxury class, and is in the ultra luxury class, costing between $100 Grand and up to $200,000.
This Defender 130 is powered by a 3.0 liter 6 cylinder gas engine with 395 HP with 406 lb-ft of torque, bolted to an 8 speed automatic transmission, routed into an all wheel drive (AWD) traction system running thru a twin speed transfer box. This driveline has terrain response with 2 selectable driving and off-road modes, with a rear electronic activated differential. Off road mode is assisted by hill descent control with active dynamics, and a 4 corner air suspension system on a set of 22″ silver alloy wheels.
As all Land Rovers are luxury vehicles, the Defender X has premium LED headlights with auto high beam assist, an X model interior and exterior, a panoramic roof, rain sensing wipers, privacy glass, a set of auto dimming power folding heated door mirrors with memory and approach lights, a Windsor leather interior, heated and cooled front seats with memory and lumbar support, heated 2nd row seats, a power adjustable leather wrapped steering wheel, 3 zone climate control, keyless entry, push button start, a 14″ center stack display screen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Meridian sound system with 400 watts of power driving 10 speakers and a subwoofer; offering a high quality audio experience with surround sound capabilities.
I liked that the 2025 Land Rover Defender X runs and drives with a blend of powerful acceleration with excellent off-road capability, thanks to its advanced suspension system and AWD; while still offering a surprisingly comfortable on-road driving experience, particularly with this X model, which prioritizes both performance and handling on diverse terrains. It is considered a very capable everyday SUV that’s able to tackle rough roads with ease, while maintaining a smooth ride on all paved surfaces.
A 2025 Land Rover Defender is a good choice if you want a luxurious SUV with exceptional off-road capability, a classic design, and a variety of body styles to suit your needs, while still offering a comfortable on-road driving experience. It’s a perfect choice for those who want a vehicle that can handle back roads and daily commuting, with the added bonus of a customizable interior and a range of engine options, including a 518 HP V/8 for those seeking maximum power output and torque.
