2020 Land Rover Defender 110 First Edition

Available for the initial model year only, the Defender 110 First Edition is full of exclusive touches. From the First Edition badging and branded metal treadplates, to the 22in five spoke wheels in Gloss Sparkle Silver.

A distinctive silhouette makes the Defender instantly recognisable, with minimal front and rear overhangs providing excellent approach and departure angles for those who like to stray off the blacktop.

Land Rover’s designers have re-envisioned familiar Defender trademarks for the 21st century, giving the new 4x4 a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining the side-hinged rear tailgate and externally-mounted spare wheel that make the original so identifiable.

The result is a visually compelling vehicle that couldn’t be anything else but a modern Defender, for a world that has changed massively since the original was created.

With its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, the new Defender has toughness at its core, while its interior’s rugged, modular architecture embraces the spirit of adventure that has been a fundamental part of Land Rover DNA for more than 70 years. Does it look slightly as though it might be made of Lego too? We think so – certainly if you squint. It all adds to the Tomb Raider-style adventure vibe that attracts so many fans.

The high sills, short overhangs and externally mounted rear wheel are all geared towards all-conquering off-road capability, while its chunky yet sophisticated styling combines to capture the spirit of the original. It was a tough design brief, but we think Land Rover pulled it off with aplomb.

This machine is a testament both to the uniqueness of the original design and the modern embodiment of that in the new one – it really couldn’t be anything other than a Defender (albeit with a bit of a Lego vibe thrown in). There’s barely a car maker on the planet that doesn’t make some kind of 4x4 these days, yet none manage it with the style and integrity of Land Rover.

As you’d expect from a vehicle that’s not even two years old yet, the paintwork is superb. The Defender branded 22 inch alloy wheels are all also unmarked (with two new tyres on the front ones). And being a good distance from the ground, the nose has escaped any stone chips.

All in all, it looks like a new vehicle.

The stripped-back personality of the original Defender has been embraced inside the new vehicle, where structural elements and fixings usually hidden from view have been exposed, with the emphasis on simplicity and practicality. Innovative features include a dash-mounted gear shift to accommodate an optional centre front ‘jump’ seat, which provides three-abreast seating across the front – just like early Land Rovers.

As a result, the Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, with a load space behind the second-row seats of up to 1,075-litres and as much as 2,380-litres when the second row is folded.

User-friendly features include practical touches and advanced technological innovations. Durable rubberised flooring harks back to the very first Range Rovers. The cabin is beautifully designed – minimalist, functional, yet at the same time extremely classy. It looks like a design classic already.

The 2-litre turbo-diesel engine fitted to this Defender makes an impressive amount of grunt and gives it great performance, while the intelligent stop/start technology helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. The engine bay, just like the rest of the vehicle, is pretty much as new.

Underneath there’s no steel ladder chassis like Land Rovers of old, but an aluminium uni-body with air suspension that allows this Defender to wade through water nearly a meter deep. There’s a bit of dirt under here – it is a Defender after all – but nothing that a pressure wash wouldn’t remove, and the manufacturer’s factory labels are still present on many of the suspension components.

A large proportion of buyers of these vehicles will never get near the limits of its off road capabilities but all the same, if you do ever need to head off the beaten track, road test reports from 2020 assure you the Defender is unbeatable in this respect.

The original bill of sale lists the following options as being fitted.

• Wheel arch protection.
• Bright rear scuff plate.
• Front classic mud flaps.
• Rear classic mud flaps.
• Matte black bonnet decal.
• Portable rise system.
• Loadspace partition – full height.
• Silver locking wheel nut kit.
• Country pack.
• Pangea Green paintwork.
• 22 inch Style 5098 five spoke alloy wheels, gloss – Sparkle Silver.
• Three zone climate control with rear cooling assist.
• Khaki grained leather and robust woven textile seat facings.
• Advanced tow assist.
• Leather gearshift.
• Cabin air ionisation.
• Air quality sensor.
• Electrically deployable tow bar.
• Front centre console refrigerator compartment.
• 60:40 load through seats with manual slide and recline and centre armrest.
• 22 inch full size spare wheel.
• Manual third row seats.
• All-season tyres.
• Light Oyster Morzine headlining.

In total the vehicle was circa £48k base price with £17,000 worth of optional extras.

The first owner says.

‘It's been a great stead and I’ve replaced it with another like for like 110. The spec is great – I especially like the ease of the fully electronic deployable tow bar, the durability inside, with an easy to clean interior whilst plush, and the ease of the flexible seven seats.

‘The car was recently serviced by Dick Lovett Land Rover – I had it done slightly early because I am selling the vehicle. I also fitted two new front tyres.’

This is a bit of an unusual one for us as classic cars are our real passion, but we have to say that this is a mightily impressive piece of kit. Being big fans of the original Land Rover meant we were a little sceptical about anything called a Defender that didn’t have a steel chassis and live axles, but we’re totally sold on this thing.

From its tough looking exterior design, to the über–cool interior, plus all that tech and capability, there really is nothing to touch the Defender for style, ability, design and class. No other manufacturer could possibly have built this vehicle – it’s a Land Rover Defender through and through.

Our estimate for this car Is £65,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.