Some vehicles don’t need an introduction. They’ve earned their reputation the hard way — through decades of dirt roads, farm tracks, expedition routes, and the kind of real-world punishment most SUVs will never see. The Land Rover Defender is one of them. But the 2025 Defender 130 D350 X-Dynamic SE isn’t just a throwback to that legacy. It’s what happens when Land Rover takes that iconic toughness and stretches it into something bigger, more refined, and far more family-ready. It’s the Defender for people who want the adventure… without leaving half the crew behind.

This is the long-wheelbase Defender. The “bring everyone” Defender. The one built for families who want real space, real comfort, and real capability, without giving up that unmistakable Land Rover charm that feels equal parts luxury hotel and expedition vehicle.

Whether you’re doing school drop-offs, hauling the whole crew to the coast, or disappearing into the bush for a long weekend, the Defender 130 makes every journey feel like an event.

Price & Key Specs:

Price: From approx. $150,000+ (Plus On-Road Costs, plus options)
Engine: Ingenium 3.0 litre 6-cylinder 257kW Twin Turbocharged Diesel MHEV (Automatic) All Wheel Drive
Power/Torque: 257kW / 700Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel Use: ~8.0–9.0L/100km (claimed, depending on spec/tyres)
Seating Capacity: Up to 8
Warranty: 5 years / unlimited km (Australia)

Design:

The Defender 130 doesn’t try to be sleek. It doesn’t chase the “sporty SUV” look either. It stands tall, wide, and unapologetically squared off, like it was carved out of one solid block.

The X-Dynamic SE trim gives it the right amount of attitude without going full “look at me.” You get darker exterior accents, a tougher visual edge, and that signature Defender silhouette that somehow looks equally at home outside a five-star hotel or parked on a muddy track with recovery gear in the back.

And the best part? It doesn’t look like a stretched wagon trying to hide its size. The 130 wears its extra length with confidence, almost like it was always meant to be this big.

Interior & Practical Features:

Step inside and the Defender 130 immediately feels like a premium command centre. Rugged in design, but unmistakably modern in execution.

The cabin layout is clean, functional, and built around the idea that this car is meant to be used. Big surfaces, strong materials, smart storage solutions, and a sense of durability you don’t always get in luxury SUVs.

The front seats feel properly supportive for long trips, the driving position is tall and commanding, and the visibility is outstanding for something this big. You sit above the chaos, looking out over the world like you’re in control of it.

The infotainment system is sharp, responsive, modern, and unlike some “luxury” setups, it doesn’t feel like you need a 6 month TAFE course to change the fan speed.

Then there’s the big selling point: space.
The 130’s longer body means the third row isn’t just a “just in case” row. It’s genuinely usable. Kids? Easy. Teenagers? Fine. Adults? Still doable without feeling like you’ve been punished for turning up late.

Cargo room is strong even with the extra seats in play, and when you fold things down, it becomes the kind of load space that makes you stop worrying about what you can bring.

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Practicality & Everyday Use:

Here’s the thing about the Defender 130. It’s a luxury SUV, but it behaves like a tool when you need it to.

It’s the kind of vehicle that makes daily life easier because it doesn’t feel fragile. You don’t feel like you’re constantly protecting it from life. School bags, sports gear, sandy feet, weekend luggage. It’s all part of the deal.

Storage is everywhere. Cupholders, bins, shelves, trays, you name it - the Defender feels designed by people who actually live in the real world.

And because it’s a 130, you don’t have to choose between comfort and capacity. You can carry people and still have room for everything they bring with them. That’s the difference.

It’s also the kind of SUV that makes long family road trips feel calmer. Everyone has their space, the cabin feels airy, and the ride has that big-body stability that settles the whole experience down.

With all seats in place, the Defender 130 still leaves you enough room in the back for everyday family life. School bags, groceries, a pram, or the weekend sports kit all fit comfortably without the need to play Tetris.

Fold the third row down, and the boot becomes properly usable for road trips. The kind of space that swallows suitcases, camping gear, and all the “just in case” extras that somehow always come along.

And if you drop both the second and third rows, the Defender turns into a full-length load bay that feels more like a premium cargo hauler than a luxury SUV. Perfect for those bulky IKEA flatpack runs, moving house essentials, or loading up for a proper escape.

Cargo capacity (approx.):

Behind 3rd row (all seats up): ~389L
Behind 2nd row (3rd row folded): ~1,232L
Max space (2nd + 3rd rows folded): ~2,516L

Driving Impressions:

Let’s be honest: you don’t buy a Defender 130 D350 because you want it to feel like a hot hatch. You buy it because you want a vehicle that feels unstoppable.

And that’s exactly what the Defender 130 D350 delivers.

The 3.0-litre inline-six diesel has a serious amount of power and torque on tap. 257kW and 700Nm is the kind of number you don’t just read on a spec sheet, you feel it. It pulls hard and smoothly, even when the car is loaded up with passengers, luggage, and the kind of “just in case” gear families always bring.

The 8-speed auto is smooth and well matched, and the whole powertrain feels effortless, like it’s barely working most of the time.

Around town, you’re always aware of the size, but the Defender never feels intimidating. It’s surprisingly easy to place, the steering is light enough, and the driving position gives you confidence.

On the highway, it settles into a calm, quiet cruise. It feels planted, composed, and premium. Like the car was built for long distances. And in a world where so many big SUVs feel floaty or vague at speed, the Defender 130 feels reassuringly solid.

And off-road? This is still a Defender. It’s not pretending. The capability is real, and even if most owners never push it to the limit, there’s something deeply satisfying about knowing it could handle far more than your average weekend escape.

Safety Tech:

Land Rover doesn’t skimp here. The Defender 130 comes loaded with modern driver assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a full suite of airbags and stability systems.

It’s the kind of safety package that quietly does its job in the background. Which is exactly how it should be in a vehicle designed to carry families.

Ownership Experience:

Owning a Defender 130 isn’t about being “sensible.” It’s about choosing a premium SUV that offers something most rivals don’t: true character.

Servicing and running costs won’t be budget-friendly, and options can push the price up quickly, but that’s part of the Land Rover world. You’re paying for the experience, the design, and the capability.

The upside is that it feels like a vehicle built for the long haul, both in durability and in the way it fits into your lifestyle. It’s not a car you get bored of quickly. It’s a car that becomes part of the story.

How it stacks up against the competition:

In the large luxury SUV space, the Defender 130 doesn’t just compete — it offers a completely different flavour. Most rivals chase sleekness and street presence first, with capability as an afterthought.

The Defender flips that. It’s built from the ground up to be adventure-ready, then layers luxury on top.

It doesn’t aim to be the cheapest, the most efficient, or the most subtle. What it does do exceptionally well is blend true off-road DNA with genuine family-sized comfort.

More modern and design-led than the LandCruiser 300 Sahara.
More refined and family-friendly than the Ineos Grenadier.
More “special” in day-to-day driving than most large SUVs.
Still tough enough to back up the Defender badge when the road disappears.

If you want a vehicle that feels equally at home on a dirt track, a long-haul road trip, or outside a premium hotel, the Defender 130 sits right in that sweet spot.

Verdict:

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 D350 X-Dynamic SE isn’t about blending in. It’s about doing life bigger.

It’s a proper long-body luxury SUV that still feels like a Defender should. Tough, confident, and ready for anything, while giving you the space and comfort to carry your family, your mates, and your gear without compromise.

For the drivers? Not in the tyre-shredding sense.
But if your idea of a great drive is commanding the road, owning the journey, and knowing you could take the long way home every single time… the Defender 130 makes every kilometre feel like it matters.