Ah, the humble Land Rover Defender. Never before has a car existed with such a strong, clear purpose, yet such a conflicted and confused identity in the eyes of others.
Everyone has their own opinions about the plucky Defender. Forum dwellers believe they are the salt-of-the-earth, a no-nonsense staple of British farming life. Others believe they’re lifestyle accessories, used for hopping curbs in the city or taking the kids to school. Collecting Cars bidders believe they’re the next 250 GTO, and actual farmers seem to prefer the Toyota Hilux.
But perhaps this identity crisis isn’t just in the eye of the beholder. Maybe it’s baked into the Defender itself, especially when you see the two generations parked nose-to-nose. They’re both called Defender, and share the same badge and a vague silhouette. But on the tarmac, they’re worlds apart.
The older one here looks purposeful and utilitarian. Keswick Green paired with silver wheels contrasts today’s triple-black specced successor, whilst wide arches and branded mudflaps add some attitude to the otherwise unadorned bodywork. A well-used towbar and a set of mud-and-snow tyres imply this workhorse gets used as intended, absolving it of the poser status its successor perhaps attracts.
The successor is a more sculpted chassis. Curvaceous lines adorn the front fascia, unlike the boxy silhouette of its predecessor. Road tyres contrast mud-and-snow. An exposed spare wheel adorns the rear profile, and side steps assist with ingress. This example is specified for a different job – driving down Wiltshire single-carriageway lanes, or sitting proud in a grassy National Trust car park.
But the truth is, the new Defender is a better car. It doesn’t ride like a bag of nails, it’s more capable off-road, and the interior is far more comfortable and refined. But it has less soul. If I were heading out for a short drive, I’d pick the old one every time. It’s got more character and more involvement – something that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern vehicles.
So people may disagree on what Defenders are really used for these days, but when it comes to their status as a design icon, the consensus is clear.
Short drive hahaha LOL