The Land Rover Defender 130 is the big dog of the Defender line-up. It’s bulky and long, roomy inside (with three rows of seats) and offers plenty in terms of onboard features and optional extras.
The latest generation has managed to retain the old beloved Landie spirit and combine it with contemporary styling.
But that’s not worth noting. What is worth noting right at the get-go is the fact that the last of the V8s on offer in the range – the 5.0-litre supercharged V8 pumping out 368kW/610Nm – is in our test vehicle, the Land Rover Defender 130 P500.
Also worth noting, the V8 has the option of 'Captain Chairs'. This second-row seating choice comprises two individual seats, with winged headrests and arm rests, separated by an aisle for walk-through access to the third row.
So, while the short-wheelbase Defender 90 is likely the best choice for the more adventurous off-roaders among us, is the Defender 130, as large and in charge as it is, the better choice for a family?
Read on.
Land Rover Defender 2025: 130 P500 V8 (368KW)
Engine Type | Supercharged V8, 5.0L |
---|---|
Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
Fuel Efficiency | 12.7L/100km (combined) |
Seating | 8 |
Price From | $216,197 |
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 7/10
7 / 10
The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $216,197 (excluding on-road costs). But because our test vehicle has a raft of options onboard – matte protective film ($6840), 'Carpathian' exterior pack ($2400), second row heated and cooled a pair of Captain Chairs with winged headrests as the second row ($1930), Carpathian grey premium metallic paint ($1040), and a rubber load space mat ($320) – it has a price as tested of $228,727 (excluding on-road costs).
The Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8's standard features include an 11.4-inch multimedia touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), wireless device charging, a head-up display, interactive driver display, as well as 22-inch satin dark grey wheels, quad outboard-mounted exhaust pipes, 'Terrain Response 2' with 'Dynamic Program', privacy glass, a heated steering wheel and an electrically-adjustable steering column.
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Also included are bright metal pedals, configurable cabin lighting, a load space cover, satin chrome gearshift paddles, illuminated metal tread plates (with V8 branding), four-zone climate control, 'Ebony Windsor' leather and Kvadrat (wool blend textile) seats, Meridian audio, 'Online Pack' (with data plan), a head-up display, a 12V power socket in the boot and the 'Pivi Pro' multimedia system.
Paint choices on the Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8 include 'Fuji White' (solid) or 'Santorini Black' (metallic with body-coloured roof) – or you can opt for 'Carpathian Grey' (premium metallic with black contrast roof), which is a $1040 option (price correct time of writing).
This Defender is available with the 'Extended Black Exterior Pack' ($1707) or the 'Carpathian Exterior Pack' ($2396).
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Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
8 / 10
The Defender 130 measures 1970mm high, 5358mm long (including rear-mounted spare wheel; 5099mm without), and 2105mm wide (with the wing mirrors out). It has a 3022mm wheelbase and a listed kerb weight of 2745kg (unladen).
It is big, but really it’s no more intimidating to drive than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series or Nissan Patrol.
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Upper large SUVs have a Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries-defined footprint bigger than 9801mm – think 300 Series LandCruiser (close to 5.0m long), Hyundai Palisade (almost 5.0m long) and Nissan Patrol (almost 5.2m long).
In terms of styling, the 130 strikes an effective balance between the distinctive shape and spirit of the old-school Defender with the new-generation’s pomp and presence – and the striking Carpathian Grey paint on this variant complements that blend.
The current-generation Defender is no city-soft shadow of its former adventure-tackling self that Landie lovers everywhere feared it might be. But it’s modern and sleek enough to put the minds of urban dwellers/weekend warriors at ease.
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Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10
8 / 10
The Defender 130 is well-suited to people-carrying duties thanks to its three-row seating.
And don’t forget this test vehicle has (optional) Captain Chairs in the second row.
The cabin has a distinctive premium look and feel about it, without sacrificing anything in terms of just how practical it all is. It’s a pleasant mix of durable materials – carpet mats and soft-touch surfaces – and stylish touches, such as a metal Defender-stamped section in front of the front passenger.
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Layout is user-friendly and this is an easy cabin in which to swiftly become comfortable as all controls easy to locate and operate even when busy negotiating with your teenagers who gets what song next.
Storage spaces include a deep centre console, glove box, twin cupholders between driver and passenger, sunglass storage, door pockets and shallow spaces positioned about the cabin for your everyday carry gear.
Charge points include USB-Cs up front and a wireless device charging tray.
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The driver and front passenger get ample room and plenty of amenities and those behind them also fare well with adequate room for everyone – even those in the third row.
All seats are comfortable and the front seats are 14-way power-adjustable with heating, cooling and memory.
The second row – two outboard Captain Chairs in this test vehicle – have a headrest and armrests for both passengers.
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The third-row seats are heated and configured in a 40/20/40 pattern.
The rear cargo area is small in this seven-seater, although it offers a listed 389 litres with all three rows up and in use. That area has a sliding cover (which conceals your valuables from the prying eyes of nefarious types), cargo-restraint points, power sockets and a shallow underfloor storage space.
With the third row folded down, there is a listed 1232 litres of space. The maximum loadspace volume behind the front row is a listed 2231 litres.
There is a lot more to admire inside this Defender’s cabin for those who love the interiors of plush SUVs, but rather than spending my time stroking leather accents, going ‘ohhhh-ahhhh’ over a sunroof or reflecting on the butt-warming benefits of a heated seat, I like to actually drive.
So I did. A lot.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 8/10
8 / 10
The Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8 has a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine (producing 368kW at 6000-6500rpm and 610Nm at 2500-5000rpm), an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive system.
This is a very effective and fun combination of gutsy V8 and clever auto.
The Defender has permanent all-wheel drive and a dual-range transfer case with high- and low-range 4WD.
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It also has Terrain Response 2, an off-road-focussed driver-assist system, which will make any off-roading newbie look and, more importantly, feel like a dirt-track driving champion.
The system includes switchable modes - 'Grass/Gravel/Snow', 'Sand', 'Mud and Ruts' and 'Rock Crawl'.
This tech optimises throttle response, engine outputs, transmission shifts and diff control to best suit the terrain. It also has centre and rear diff locks.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 8/10
8 / 10
What's it like to drive? It’s bloody great.
This is a big vehicle – have I mentioned that already? – but powered by this V8 the Defender 130 punches along with nary a care in the world.
Throttle response is crisp, and the 5.0-litre supercharged petrol’s 368kW and 610Nm are always readily available for a snap-punch standing-start, or to smoothly and safely overtake other vehicles on the open road.
This Defender has an official 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds and a listed maximum speed of 240km/h!
By the way, it doesn’t hurt that the V8’s growl is piped through quad outboard mounted exhausts.
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The eight-speed automatic transmission is supremely clever but the shifter’s stubby size and awkward location (under the multimedia system’s touchscreen) is annoying.
Otherwise, this V8 130 is smooth and refined, with tremendous road-holding abilities despite a Landie legacy of past-generation Defenders being about as composed as dodgy tractors.
What’s more, comfort levels are exceptional in a vehicle model once considered a form of punishment in which to travel.
Steering has a well-weighted driver-friendly feel to it and this upper large SUV never feels too cumbersome to navigate through even busy city streets, even though it has a turning circle of 12.8m.
Some body roll creeps in every now and again – especially when you become energetic throwing this giant around corners, etc – but otherwise this big bulky vehicle is well controlled and comfortable.
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The air suspension negates the majority of thumps and bumps you might be expecting to get from a vehicle riding on 22-inch wheels and low-profile tyres over irregular road surfaces.
Our test vehicle was on 22-inch rims and 275/45 R22 Continental CrossContact RX “SUV performance” tyres, which are fine for driving on sealed surfaces, but if you’re looking to do any off-roading in this Defender get a set of more appropriate all-terrains.
I wasn’t driving the 130 to test its 4WDing prowess this time, but it’s still worth noting the Defender’s off-road measurements include 293mm of ground clearance (with air suspension), a wading depth of 900mm, and approach, departure and ramp-over angles of 37.5, 25.8 and 27.9 degrees, respectively.
This Defender 130 has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3380kg and a gross combined mass (GCM) of 6380kg.
It has an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg, and braked towing capacity of 3000kg (with maximum 300kg on the towball), which is somewhat of a disappointment and sub-par for the upper large SUV segment.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 7/10
7 / 10
Fuel consumption is listed as 12.7L/100km and that's on a combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle. On this test I recorded 14.9L/100km.
The Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8 has an 90-litre fuel tank so, going by my on-test fuel figure, you could reasonably expect a driving range of about 604km from a full tank.
Fuel requirement is 95 RON premium unleaded.
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Warranty & Safety Rating
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10
8 / 10
The Defender 130 does not have an ANCAP safety rating but it does have plenty of safety gear as standard including a plethora of airbags (driver, front passenger, and first, second and third row (head) and side for first row passengers).
Driver-assist tech includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, driver condition monitor, blind-spot assist, lane keep assist, a 3D surround camera, 360-degree parking aid, traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter and more.
It has other tech, such as ‘transparent’ bonnet view, wade sensing, a tyre pressure monitoring system and tow hitch assist, which comes in handy for on- and off-road tourers.
It also has child-seat top tether anchorage points on the backs of both second-row seats and all three third-row seats. And there are ISOFIX anchors on the second and third row outer seat positions.
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Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10
7 / 10
The Defender has a five year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance included.
The vehicle will let you know when it needs to be serviced – isn’t it bloody clever? – and prepaid service plans are set for five years/130,000km (maximum km) at a total cost of $3750.
Verdict
The Land Rover Defender 130 P500 V8 is big, roomy and great to drive. It’s supremely plush without sacrificing practicality and if you’re in the market for a spacious, comfortable and refined package and aren’t afraid to open your wallet, then this long Landie is well worth your consideration.
Do you need the V8? Of course you don’t – and the diesel variants make a lot more sense anyway in terms of day-to-day fuel efficiency – but, geez, it's a lot of fun to drive.
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