Ahead of its local introduction, we got behind the wheel of the Land Rover Defender Vertex in England. First impressions here…
What is new on the Land Rover Defender Vertex
Essentially, Vertex grade is a new package available with the current-generation Land Rover Defender. Included with the Vertex are redesigned front and rear bumpers, new 20-inch alloy wheels finished in Satin Dark Grey (22-inch items housing yellow brake callipers are available as an option), a new rear spoiler, and the choice of six new exterior colour options – the latter including the Patagonia White Matte Wrap pictured here. Inside, the Defender Vertex’s cabin features what Land Rover calls Ebony Forged textile, which is made from 100% polyester.
In addition, the Vertex introduces several new options to the Defender lineup. The latter includes the Expedition Roof Light (a duo of narrow LED lights that sits just above the windscreen and provides a combined 9 000 lumens) and Tail Door Gear Carrier, which allows for an additional 12 kg of lockable storage. Of course, the options can also be bundled in packs that suit whatever use you might have for your car.
What does the Land Rover Defender Vertex cost?
Vertex spec is available with just four models in South Africa, priced the same as the X derivatives. All Defender Vertex models ship with Land Rover’s five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and a warranty of similar duration and distance.
- Land Rover Defender 90 D350 Vertex – R2 243 700
- Land Rover Defender 110 D350 Vertex – R2 315 700
- Land Rover Defender 110 P425 Vertex – R2 399 700
- Land Rover Defender 130 D350 Vertex – R2 461 300
What are the Land Rover Defender Vertex’s Rivals?
If it’s the 90 you’re talking about, forget about looking for a rival because no other three-door SUV – except for the Suzuki Jimny, which is a fifth of the price – exists in our market. For the 110, there’s the likes of the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE when it comes to more motorway-biased rivals, while the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Lexus GX 550 Overtrail, Ineos Grenadier, and Jeep Wrangler represent the 110’s off-roading competition. For the 130, there’s the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Toyota Land Cruiser 300.
What is the Land Rover Defender Vertex like to drive?
It was an interesting exercise to drive the 90 Vertex in P380 guise. The P380 inline-six turbocharged petrol powertrain produces 279 kW and 550 N.m of torque. As you may have noticed, this unit is not available in our market. Nonetheless, it felt as brisk as any of the V8-engined models I’d driven before (except the Octa, of course). The engine is tractable at low speed, which I was mostly limited to in the English countryside. However, when moments to overtake on the motorway presented themselves, all I needed was a flex of the right foot to pass the odd lorry.
For a three-door vehicle, the Defender 90 Vertex is surprisingly chunky, though still compact enough to make parallel parking manoeuvres relatively easy. I don’t think the ClearSight rearview mirror (included as part of the technology pack) is a necessity on this Defender, but it does come in handy when you want to avoid looking into the eyes of the driver behind you.
I wasn’t all that taken with the Defender’s air suspension on the narrow English lanes, but perhaps that’s owing to the fitment of 275/45-size low-profile rubber on the press unit’s 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. What seemed even the subtlest of bumps reverberated through the cabin. This sentiment soon changed, though, as soon as we were off the beaten track. The 22-inch wheels, as well as favourable approach, break-over and departure angles, helped the Defender 90 Vertex through obstacles. In addition, the latter can be significantly increased when the Defender’s air suspension is raised to its maximum 291 mm ground clearance. I’d personally still opt for the 20-inch items with chunkier all-terrain rubber for everyday use and the occasional bundu-bashing.
Verdict
Vertex grade adds bespoke niceties to what is already a niche product in Defender, but that conclusion is through the eyes of my South African context. Seeing how popular the Defender is in its home market, especially the English countryside, has shifted my opinion of this model. It’s arguably prettier than ever before, but no less capable – particularly so when venturing off-road. Going through its list of competition, I’m grateful that there’s still a product that offers massive kerbside appeal, as well as overlanding capability across three body styles. And the consumer is spoiled for choice, as the new Vertex models now boost the Defender model tally to 28.
