The Land Rover Defender debuted in the 1980s, part of a series of British off-road cars and trucks dating back to 1948 that became preferred vehicles for safari participants and varied military operations. The brand and its lineup have undergone several iterations, with the manufacturer’s vehicles now viewed as luxury haulers for adventurous families. Visits to the African outback aren’t required.

Rugged, utilitarian and fueled in part by testosterone, the 2024 Defender 130 Outbound is equipped with a three-liter, six-cylinder gas engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has 20-inch wheels and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Electric power-assisted steering, hill descent control and air suspension add to the Land Rover’s dual personality.

Because beyond its off-road learnings, the Outbound is also a luxury vehicle. It has top-line leather seats, a leather steering wheel and a refrigeration compartment. There’s some plastic, too, but the ease of the adjustable seating configurations and overall interior design combine to give the vehicle its allure. It’s outdoorsy, and also classy when arriving at a gathering with valet parking.

The SUV’s performance is impressive for its segment, including its 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity. The Outbound also has 8.5 inches of ground clearance, which helps the navigation of uneven terrain. The exterior has solid rear panels and two unique items are attention-grabbers: There’s a protruding lockable side-mounted storage bin on the passenger side and a folded ladder on the driver’s side.

While other Defender 130 models have three rows of seating, the Outbound only has two rows. It’s not a bad thing; the two-row version provides more cargo space, albeit for fewer occupants.

Competition is stiff in the off-road vehicle segment, which translates into more manufacturers offering more standard equipment. The Defender lineup offers plenty: LED headlights, rain-sensing front wipers, heated door mirrors and electric memory front seat with lumbar and driver memory.

Three-zone climate control with rear heating, cooling assist, cabin lighting, keyless entry, a push-button start and a Meridian sound system add to the vehicle’s appeal, though the stereo can get lost in the noisy SUV.

Safety and security features are another Land Rover strength. The Defender’s include front airbags with passenger seat occupant detector, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, an anti-lock braking system and emergency brake assist.

Several remote systems (emergency collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and remote start), adaptive cruise control, a 3D surround camera, 360-degree parking aid, blind spot assist, rear traffic monitor, lane keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition and an adaptive speed limiter bring the options to the brink of technology overload.

With its combination of off-road brawn and luxury, the Land Rover Defender 130 Outbound is at its best when used for recreation and adventures in the urban wilderness, not as a daily driver. It’s also a strong choice for a niche market but isn’t for bargain hunters. It’s a lot of vehicle for a lot of money: The 2024 Land Rover, with its various options, costs more than $95,000. The tally is likely satisfactory for some buyers, but bound to be a dealbreaker for a larger share of potential adventurers.

Facts & Figures

Acceleration: 0-60 mph, 6.4 seconds

Airbags: 5

Gas mileage: 16 mpg city, 18 mpg highway

Horsepower: 365

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $84,500

Price as tested: $95,339

Manufacturer’s website: landroverusa.com

Warranty: Bumper-to-Bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Drivetrain, 4 years/50,000 miles; Corrosion, 6 years/unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles; Federal Emissions, 8 years/80,000 miles