Land Rover Defender review - iconic 4x4 reinvented
Top 10 best 4x4s 2024
Need something rugged, dependable and capable of tackling the rough stuff? Check out these 4x4s…
Almost every new car claims to be an SUV these days, but if you plan to head off the beaten track, then you’ll want a proper 4x4.
The best 4x4s stand apart from typical SUVs with a rugged build, dependable engine and the capability to head off-road. You may think that every high-riding, chunky-looking SUV will tick all of those boxes, but many are based on regular hatchbacks and aren’t built to withstand unforgiving conditions off the tarmac. Many are two-wheel drive as well, limiting their off-road abilities.
Four-wheel drive is pretty much essential if you plan to head off the asphalt and tackle tough terrain. It provides greater traction on loose surfaces, but also provides extra security in wet and slippery conditions on-road. The added traction of four-wheel drive makes many 4x4s a great option for towing, too.
The best 4x4s on sale today
We’ve picked out the best 4x4 on sale now, prioritising their off-road ability, but also factoring in comfort, the on-road driving experience and cost. You might also want to check out our list of the best cars for winter. If you like the look of a 4x4 but probably won’t be heading off-road, check out our best family SUVs and best large SUVs.
- Priced from £63,670
The original Defender was a motoring icon, so when it came time to replace it in 2019, Land Rover spent plenty of time to make sure the new model was a 4x4 worthy of the famous name. If you’re used to the spartan charm of the previous version, you’ll scarcely believe the amount of tech on board, making the Defender an undeniably upmarket SUV that’s perfectly at home on-road. It’s fitted with Land Rover’s latest Terrain Response system, which – combined with a 900mm wading depth and low-range gear ratios – makes the Defender practically unstoppable off-road, too.
One of the Defender’s key selling-points is the wide scope for customisation offered by Land Rover. Like the old car, you can choose from three-door ‘90’ and five-door ‘110’ and ‘130’ body styles. There’s a selection of punchy petrol and diesel engines, plus a 525bhp V8 version for those not worried about sky-high fuel prices. If you do want to keep running costs down, there’s also a plug-in hybrid P400e option – it gets a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor producing a combined 398bhp, and can travel up to 32 miles on electric power alone thanks to its 19.2kWh battery, meaning you could do a few trips around town per week without using any petrol at all.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which bodystyle or engine you pick for the Defender. All are hugely capable off-road and sturdily built without compromising everyday usability – a combination that puts it at the top of this list.
- Priced from £74,995
The Toyota Land Cruiser is Japan’s solution for those who need a go-anywhere SUV and has long been a fierce rival of the Land Rover Defender. The latest model boasts all the off-roading talents of its predecessors, but a renewed focus on cabin quality, technology and refinement has made it a better road car than ever before.
The Land Cruiser wasn’t phased by any obstacle it came across during our in-depth test, with its computer-controlled four-wheel drive system keeping it firmly out of trouble. If the going gets particularly tough, the Land Cruiser’s locking differentials and disconnecting anti-roll bars can provide it with extra traction and dexterity over rocks and steep inclines. Like the Defender, it can tow up to the legal limit of 3,500kg, and its massive boot solidifies its place as one of the most practical cars on sale.
While the Land Cruiser makes for a great road car, the Defender still offers an edge of luxury that the Toyota can’t match. Plus, there’s only one engine to choose from – a 200bhp 2.8-litre diesel shared with the Hilux pick-up truck. At £75,000, the Land Cruiser is the more expensive of the two, as well.
- Priced from £61,125
The name Jeep is synonymous with 4x4s, and for good reason. The American firm has been building off-roaders for decades, with the Wrangler serving as the successor to the famous WWII ‘Willys’ Jeep. It’s remained in production since 1986, but the latest model has been thoroughly overhauled for the modern age with more interior tech and bags of retro style. Importantly, the Wrangler is still just as impressive off-road, although this does come at the expense of on-road comfort.
There are few modern cars as adaptable as the Wrangler. You can remove the entire roof to feel the wind in your hair, remove the doors, and even fold the windscreen flat should you wish. It’s built to be tough, happily crawling over rocks, wading through water and hauling itself up slopes. By prioritising strength over suppleness, the Wrangler understandably feels less at home on the road. The sole engine option is quick enough, but there’s noticeable body roll and the steering requires a lot of input.
That being said, the Wrangler’s on-road foibles won’t be of huge concern for buyers looking for the ultimate old-school 4x4, but it’s a niche proposition for the mass market – especially at over £60,000.
- Priced from £64,500
If you were disappointed when Land Rover discontinued the long-running classic Defender, then the Ineos Grenadier could be the off-roader for you. Heavily inspired by the original Land Rover, the Ineos Grenadier takes a more traditional, utilitarian approach which flies in the face of more high-tech, comfort-focused modern SUVs and 4x4s, including the latest Defender.
The Grenadier won’t be as comfortable as many more modern 4x4 SUV designs, although it’s not as bad to ride in as you might think. Obviously it’s designed with off-roading in mind first and foremost, however, and it’s incredibly capable as you’d expect from a spiritual successor to the classic discontinued Defender. Ineos has unveiled a pickup variant with five seats and a load bay at the back if you need the extra practicality.
- Priced from £60,625
One of several Land Rovers on this list, the Discovery is one of the most capable vehicles on the planet and can cover all but the most inhospitable terrain while transporting up to seven occupants in comfort. With the most recent Defender proving itself as an incredibly capable offroader with more tech and luxury than before, the Discovery’s place in Land Rover’s range has been put somewhat in question, but it’s still one of the best 4x4s you can buy.
Land Rover’s Terrain Response system is set up for sand, mud, rocks and other landscapes, plus there’s sophisticated suspension and a wading depth of up to 900mm. It still has a mighty 3.5-tonne towing capacity, but the latest Discovery is a massive 450kg lighter than its predecessor. That weight saving helps both fuel-economy and on-road behaviour – both areas that the Discovery performs surprisingly well. Every engine has plenty of power, and most models have leather upholstery and high equipment levels.
- Priced from £33,060
The Ford Ranger is our favourite pickup truck, and the latest version is tough off-road and feels more refined than before. All Rangers get plenty of interior tech, feeling far more in-keeping with today’s family SUVs, rather than the utilitarian truck it used to be. That move upmarket hasn’t sacrificed the Ranger’s off-roading prowess, although it feels surprisingly good to drive on the road for a pickup of this size.
If you want the best of on-road performance and off-road ruggedness, you could be tempted by the hot Ranger Raptor. This sporty model gets a 3.0-litre V6 engine with 288bhp, along with a host of suspension upgrades designed to further boost its all-terrain capabilities. The sportiest drive mode stiffens up the suspension and means the large pickup feels more agile than you’d expect, while its off-road setting allows it to keep up with the aforementioned 4x4s when you head off the tarmac.
As fun as the Ranger is to play with on or off road, all its engines – even those in the more pedestrian models – are pretty thirsty, so it won’t be cheap to run, but all-in-all it’s a very impressive pickup. If you’re looking for even more refinement and a premium feel, Volkswagen’s Amarok pickup is heavily based on the Raptor, but adds a touch of class to the recipe, albeit at a higher price.
- Priced from £104,025
The Range Rover may now be a rival to opulent cars like the Mercedes S-Class and Bentley Bentayga, but it’s still one of the most capable off-roaders – even if many owners won’t leave the confines of a city in it. Those drivers will be pleased to know it's surprisingly nimble, thanks to clever rear-wheel steering, while its air-suspension and road monitoring camera make it one of the comfiest cars for motorway cruising.
But the Range Rover’s 4x4 tech is arguably just as impressive. It can practically drive itself off-road, using a myriad of sensors and computers to climb hills, traverse rocks and descend slippery slopes. Whether you’re navigating the Mojave desert or the M6, few cars will get you to your destination in as much comfort as the Range Rover.
There are reasonably sensible diesel engines (and a plug-in hybrid) and a couple of 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines that launch the Range Rover from 0-62mph in as little as 5.4 seconds. Like its Land Rover siblings elsewhere in this list, the Range Rover also impresses with a huge towing capacity, a plush interior and lots of high-end kit. An electric variant is on the way this year, too, promising to deliver the same go-anywhere abilities but with zero tailpipe emissions.
- Priced from £17,295
As the most affordable car on this list, the Dacia Duster misses out on some of the clever 4x4 tech that pricier off-roaders come equipped with, but don’t assume it lacks their all-terrain abilities. Sure, it can’t tackle slopes and rocks with the same ease as a Land Rover Defender, but it’s far more capable than any other SUV at this price point. An all-new model was released in 2024, making the Duster an even better road car, with more interior tech, sharper looks and the option of a 1.6-litre hybrid engine.
It’s only the smaller 1.2-litre petrol engine that comes with four-wheel drive, however, and that’s the model you want if you plan to head off-road. You get a selection of drive modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand and Off-Road to help tackle any difficult terrain that comes your way. Even on regular all-season tyres, we were mightily impressed by the Duster’s ability to take on tricky obstacles during our first drive.
- Priced from £37,990
The Subaru Forester sits on the same underpinnings as the Subaru Impreza, meaning that it feels much more like a regular car to drive on-road than the old model, as well as many of the other 4x4s on this list. Off the beaten track is where it really shines, though, with good ground clearance and multiple sophisticated off road settings, such as the Snow or Mud mode and a hill-descent control feature.
It’s not perfect, however – some may not be a fan of its conservative styling which makes it look fairly generic against other rivals, and despite a new mild-hybrid powertrain, the Forester is still fairly expensive to run. Build quality is very good however and the interior is much nicer than that of the old model, plus its off-road capability means this family SUV is actually more rugged than its looks might suggest.
- Priced from £136,690
The original Mercedes G-Class was primarily designed as a military vehicle but became much more fashionable towards the end of its 37-year lifespan. Released in 2018, the new model still has the off-road ability that forged the reputation of the last one, even on massive gleaming alloy wheels. It has three locking differentials, a low-range gearbox for slow but steady off-road progress, and a greater maximum wading depth than the last model. The new one was designed to be much more spacious than its predecessor, and its interior is upmarket enough to rival the Range Rover and Bentley Bentayga.
It’s been facelifted for 2024, although you’ll struggle to spot any visual differences. In fact, the G-Class’s looks have hardly changed since the first model appeared back in 1979. For many buyers, the utilitarian styling is part of the charm, although a starting price of nearly £140,000 puts it out of the reach of all but the wealthiest of 4x4 fans. If you don’t fancy the V8 model with its rumbling soundtrack and side-exit exhausts, Mercedes sells a sensible diesel variant, as well as the electric G580 with EQ Technology.
Looking for a big car but planning to stay on-road? Read our list of the best SUVs…
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