2024 Defender 130 Outbound Review: Overflowing with Overlanding Opportunities

The Defender 130 is the longest variant of the rugged and well-appointed Defender lineup. The 200+ inch-long SUV is usually built as a three-row model, but the special Defender 130 Outbound does away with the back row, providing extra cargo space for carrying overlanding gear and other goodies. This configuration is also packed with premium equipment, making it the perfect combination of capability and comfort for adventure seekers.

Our test vehicle came in deep Carpathian Grey paint protected by a satin protective film that gives it a shine-free finish without the maintenance headaches that typically come with matte paint. The film also protects the factory paint from scratches and chips from off-roading. This film added $5155 to the price of the Defender, but it looks so good. Matte finish bumper covers and grille elements complement this look perfectly. The whole shebang rolls on 20-inch gloss black wheels wrapped in Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac all-terrain tires. Exterior features include a locking, folding ladder for rooftop access, a locking storage box, and a tailgate-mounted spare tire. If anything is missing, it’s a heavy duty roof rack, which I wish was included as standard.

Under the hood is a 3.0-liter, turbocharged 6-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. of torque. Power is plentiful, and there’s lots of low-end torque, which is handy when rock crawling, climbing steep hills, or towing. Speaking of which, the all-wheel drive Defender 130 Outbound can tow up to 8200 pounds. Despite its heft, it’ll get from 0 to 60 mph in about 6 seconds. The SUV has many off-road driving features, including a terrain response system with multiple drive modes and an adjustable air suspension. There are also locking center and rear differentials and a two-speed transfer case, which can dramatically improve traction in its low-gear mode. This specimen was also upgraded with the optional All Terrain Progress Control, which is basically like cruise control for low-speed trail rides, along with Terrain Response 2, which can automatically sense and adapt to different driving surfaces.

Like other Defenders I’ve driven, this one had no problem transitioning smoothly between highway driving to negotiating mud, ruts, loose dirt, gravel, and other environments. The air suspension system provides a smooth and comfortable ride whether on- or off-road, and the cabin is well insulated from wind noise and vibrations. I did find the rugged all-terrain tires to be a little noisy at highway speeds.

I’ve always liked the interior design of the current-gen Defender, which blends premium materials with a look of substance and utility. The dashboard has a purposeful look with a crisp, linear style highlighted with a powder-coated metal beam that runs across the dash and embossed with DEFENDER badging on the passenger side. Tech includes a digital instrument cluster and an 11.4-inch touchscreen backed by JLR’s Pivi Pro multimedia system, which includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. There are thoughtful touches like a passenger-side tray with a USB-C port for charging a phone and plenty of grab bars for holding on while riding on uneven terrain. An optional digital rearview mirror provides a crisp, wide-angle view unobstructed by backseat passengers or cargo.

The upright shift lever and adjacent control switchgear free up space in the center console, providing an open storage area between the driver and front seat passenger. The center stack houses USB-A and USB-C charging ports, and there’s a wireless phone charger behind the dual cupholders. An upgraded center storage box adds a refrigerated compartment, which I promptly used to keep chocolate bars from melting in the 100º Oklahoma summer heat.

Thanks to its boxy shape, the headroom is excellent, and the panoramic glass roof only adds to the sense of space. The front seats are wide and comfortable on long trips and covered with high-quality Windsor leather. The Premium Upgrade pack adds heat and cooling, as well as 18-way power controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and additional leather bits around the cabin.

The second row seats three adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. There’s a zoned climate control and vents on the back of the center console, along with dual USB-C ports for charging. Tall and boxy windows mean every seat in the Defender has a good view, which is especially nice when exploring nature.

Where the Defender 130 Outbound really shines compared to other Defender models is the extra cargo space. Since third-row seats take up no space, there’s 43.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and a whopping 89 cubic feet with the second row folded. The rear seats are backed with a durable rubberized coating that protects them from damage, and they fold in a 40/20/40 split, which lets you carry long items with up to four passengers aboard. Pack an air mattress, and you can easily sleep in the back with the seats folded. Rubber mats and rubber trim on the bumper provide added protection. The air suspension height can be adjusted here to ease loading and unloading cargo.

I’ve spent time behind the wheel of every kind of modern Defender besides the V8-powered variants and have always been impressed. The Defender 130 Outbound takes everything great about the Defender and packages it into the perfect overlander. It balances power, performance, capability, and luxury and provides extra space for hauling gear if you don’t need a third row. The 2024 Defender 130 Outbound base price is $84,500 before the $1475 destination and delivery fee. The heavily optioned vehicle tested here had more than $15,000 in upgrades, bringing its sticker price to $101,093.