The rugged Land Rover Defender has always been a diverse product offered in a two-door layout (90 Series), a more traditional four-door spec (110 Series), and an eight-passenger 130 Series model with an extended roofline, more trunk space, and better third-row accommodations. For 2024, the 130 Series gets an exclusive Outbound package, which Land Rover claims to be a kind of luxury explorer. Outbound adds Goodyear Wrangler Territory Duratrac all-terrain tires (all-seasons are still available), body-coloured rear window panels, and the deletion of the third row of seats. That means extra cargo space rated at 2,516 litres but also less passenger-ferrying capability.

Also exclusive to Outbound is a Shadow Atlas Matt finish to the exterior elements, such as the bumpers, grill insert, and wheel spokes. Paint colours are limited to four: Santorini Black, Eiger Grey, Carpathian Grey, and the Fuji White on our test vehicle. But it’s not often that you see a Defender optioned with a matching roof colour instead of a contrasting black. The Outbound package also covers the rear windows in the body paint colour, in this case, Fuji White. It’s a unique look that gives it Ford Flex vibes from the side but admittedly looks a bit naked and bare without any of the optional roof racks, mud flaps, or a side-mounted carrier box. These can be equipped on the Outbound via the Explorer Pack ($5,159) or Adventure Pack ($2,268). Of note, the Defender 130 is 337 mm longer than the 110 and the majority of that length is added behind the rear axle, exaggerating the rear overhang like a loaded diaper.

The interior is largely unchanged. We enjoy the Ebony black trim and there are swaths of leather on every surface including the steering wheel’s airbag cover courtesy of the Extended Leather Upgrade ($1,500), an option we highly recommend to give the cabin an upscale vibe. Exposed screws offer a rugged visual touch and bare panels coated in the exterior paint colour (Fuji White in this case) remind us of Jeep Wranglers and Mazda Miatas. Storage cubbies are aplenty as well, with clever areas to store your items and phone on the dashboard ledge, behind the 11.4-inch center touchscreen, and in the center console fridge compartment.

The decision to block out the rear windows is an eyebrow-raising decision but it does make the Defender appear more rugged and utilitarian. There’s no skylight for the second row of seats either, but the third row does get its own sunroof. At least this way, any prospective thieves won’t be able to peer into the cargo bay and shop for what items to steal. Furthermore, exiling the third row of seats has remedied one of our main concerns of the standard 130. With all the seats up, there was very little trunk space available. That’s not an issue in the Outbound.

The Outbound only allows for the P400 powertrain and can’t be equipped with the P500 or P525 V8 engines. We’re not complaining as this unit is more than up to the task. It’s a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six married to a mild hybrid system and an electrically-driven supercharger to eliminate turbo lag and ensure seamless transitions during stop-and-go procedures. The engine produces 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque and will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, five-tenths slower than the equivalent Defender 110 P400.

On the open road, the 130 does not feel much slower and it rides better than the 110 with greater high-speed stability. The 130 is about 70 kg heavier but remains lively under acceleration thanks to the engine’s quick pick-up and lack of turbo lag. It fails to exhibit any of the lethargy and hesitation that you would expect from a large SUV, and its long pedal travel means you can modulate and fine-tune your inputs with care. Our only real criticism of the engine is the unflattering noise it makes. Tractor and diesel-like, it clatters and clanks incessantly and isn’t the most pleasant to listen to, especially on cold starts.

The 8-speed automatic is a pleasant companion and shifts behind the scenes with a polish not commonly found outside of the German IP. The brakes are linear and forgiving yet full of bite. While not essential, we think the 130 would be even better suited to a diesel option for maximum hauling range, or the new V8 P500 option, which is unfortunately not available for the Outbound spec.

Equipped with a standard four-wheel drive system, a two-speed transfer case, locking differentials, and an adaptive air suspension, the 130 is not only off-road capable but rides very nicely on suburban roads. The Defender 130 we drove before wore Pirelli Scorpion winter tires and wafted around nicely and adeptly neutralized road oscillations better than any pick-up truck on the market, also thanks to its independent suspension and unibody construction. This Outbound wears Goodyear Wrangler Territory Duratrac all-terrain tires instead, and the ride quality is minorly impacted. Vertical oscillations are slightly more apparent and there is elevated tire noise seeping into the cabin, but it’s not severe enough to warrant a complaint.

Body roll is effectively kept in check and while there is obvious leaning and unwieldiness when you enter a corner at speed, it’s stable and you never get the feeling of tipping over. The quick steering rack makes it easy to control and navigate through tight spaces as well. We did not find it any more difficult to drive than the 110 but for an SUV of this size, we wouldn’t mind some rear-wheel steering to shrink down its maneuverable footprint – a night and day difference coming out from the more agile Mercedes GLS. Furthermore, we averaged an impressive 13.3 L/100km as well, with a heavier bias for highway driving. That’s more efficient than the Defender 130 P500 (17.2 L/100km), 110 six-cylinder (15.1), and even the 110 four-cylinder (14.9).

The Defender 130 Outbound is for a specific type of customer, those who value cargo space and don’t require ferrying around an extra pair of passengers. The unique spec gives it some added road presence with the matching roof and rear window panels, and we continue to adore the ergonomically sound and visually pleasing cabin and its amenities. There’s always been a Defender for everyone, whether it’s a two-door variant or a V8-powered rocket, and the competent Outbound model adds to that growing list.

Specifications:

Model: 2024 Land Rover Defender 130 P400 Outbound
Paint Type: Fuji White
Base Price: $99,400
Price as Tested: $110,080
Wheelbase(mm): 3,022
Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,099 / 2,008 / 1,970
Curb weight (kg): 2,527
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six
Horsepower: 395 hp @ 5,500 – 6,500 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 2,000 – 5,000 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, 4WD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 13.3
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory Duratrac