1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender
View the Photo Gallery
View the Photo Gallery
1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender
- Price Range: $11,800 - $18,400
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Land Rover Defender
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Trailer-towing capability
- Low-speed acceleration
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Noise
Vehicle Highlights
Descended from the old slab-sided, utilitarian Land Rovers of the distant past (last sold in the U.S. in 1974), the Defender 110 appeared as a limited edition for 1993. The 4-door wagon was designed primarily for off-road use, and powered by a 3.9-liter V8 engine that made 182 horsepower. Only 500 were built for 1993, the model's sole season on the market. With a 110-inch wheelbase, the Defender 110 was 10 inches longer between the axles than a standard Range Rover, and 2 inches more than the new long-wheelbase version of the Range Rover. Overall length ranked between the two Range Rover models. Defender's V8 engine was similar to the one used in the Range Rover County. Only a 5-speed manual transmission was offered. Permanently engaged 4-wheel drive was standard. Body panels were made of aluminum. Seating for nine was standard, including two front buckets, a split folding middle bench, and four folding side-facing jump seats in the cargo area. Standard equipment included air conditioning, a front brush guard, rear step bumper, rear defroster, tinted glass, roof rack, cassette stereo, running boards, and ride-leveling suspension.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Land Rover Defender Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 34 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender.
Year to Year Changes
1994 Land Rover Defender:
A different sort of Defender debuted for 1994. Dubbed the Defender 90, this one was a 2-door convertible. It was the first product marketed under the new company name in the U.S.: Land Rover North America. Considered Land Rover's entry-level model, the Defender 90 was the only convertible sport-utility vehicle in the U.S. with a V8 engine. Like the V8 in the previous Defender 110 wagon, the 3.9-liter engine developed 182 horsepower. A 5-speed manual was the only transmission offered. Somewhat stubby in appearance, the new convertible was roughly comparable to the Jeep Wrangler--which of course had no V8 engine. The Defender 90 was 7 inches shorter in wheelbase, and 14.5 inches shorter overall, than a regular Range Rover County. At 92.9 inches, its wheelbase was just a tad shorter than a Jeep Wrangler, but the Defender 90 measured 8.6 inches longer overall. A full tonneau cover protected the interior, but the basic Defender 90 came without a roof. A removable, full fabric top with plastic side and rear windows was a dealer-installed accessory. So was a "bikini" half-top. Standard equipment included a front brush guard, rear step bumper, front/rear antisway bars, cassette stereo, front/rear mud flaps, swing-away rear-mounted spare tire, and an 8000-pound winch. The Premium Sort Top package included a full safari cage. Aluminum body panels were attached to a steel frame. All-disc brakes were used, but without antilocking. No airbags were installed. Only two front seats were included with the Defender 90 as it came from the factory. A 2-place folding rear seat was a dealer-installed option. So were air conditioning and full carpeting. Spring of 1994 brought a new manual transmission to the Defender 90.
1995 Land Rover Defender:
A new "fastback" soft top featured plastic sliding windows. As before, an optional plastic top could be dealer installed, as could a surrey-style full fabric top or a fabric half top. Importation of the Defender 90 ceased at the end of 1995, but the vehicle would earn a brief reprieve later. Final '95 versions had standard air conditioning, a more powerful cassette stereo, and newly optional 5-spoke alloy wheels.
1996 Land Rover Defender:
No new Defenders were imported in 1996, but final examples of the limited-edition hardtop model from '95 could still be found at dealerships. They featured a permanent aluminum hardtop with pop-up sunroof, an internal/external safari cage, and four center-facing rear seats.
1997 Land Rover Defender:
After a year's absence, Land Rover resumed importation of the Defender 90, built by the Rover Group (now owned by BMW). A slightly larger 4.0-liter V8 engine went under the hood, along with a 4-speed automatic transmission, both borrowed from the larger Discovery wagon. A hardtop wagon went on sale first, which Land Rover announced would be followed by a soft-top convertible. Enhanced-capacity air conditioning was optional, and a CD changer was standard. So were driving lamps and a 9000-pound winch, in case of difficulty in the wilderness. Neither airbags nor antilock brakes were available, but permanent 4-wheel drive and all-disc braking were standard. The six-passenger Defender 90 wagon had a fixed aluminum roof, swing-out tailgate, roll-down door windows, and sliding rear side windows. Four-passenger convertibles had half-height doors, removable sliding side windows, and a manual canvas roof that fit over the integral roll cage.
Our road test for the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Seldom seen, due its limited production run, the 1993 Defender 110 wagon was a unique vehicle in it price range. That meant the Defender 110 would appeal to a very narrow audience, when it was new as well as later on. Safari-ready styling was accompanied by a utilitarian cabin and an exposed roll cage. Not as crude or noisy as its back-to-basics appearance would suggest, the Defender 110 was nevertheless not well-suited to everyday on-road driving. Gas mileage is no bonus, either. We averaged just 12.5 mpg, in mostly in-town driving. As for the Defender 90, a few more examples might be found on the used-car market--but not many. Land Rover sold just 1468 Defender 90 convertibles in the U.S. in 1994, followed by 1571 in 1995. This was also a low-production vehicle, aimed at a select audience. Not many ordinary sport-utility buyers, after all, would be content with a vehicle that came from the factory without a roof or back seat and with carpeting an option. A stark, less-than-basic interior also limited the Defender 90's attractiveness. By comparison, a Jeep Wrangler of this period looks practically lavish and refined. On the plus side, its V8 engine gives the Defender 90 a healthy dose of power, which can be most welcome when traversing difficult off-road terrain, and also back on the highway.
Value for the Money
Defender 110 wagons, if one can be found, appeal mainly to people who appreciated the merits of the old Land Rovers, seen in many movies forging their way through African jungle. The Defender 90 ranked more as a lifestyle accessory for "high rollers" than a real sport-utility value. After all, the convertible cost $27,900 in 1994, without a roof or back seat. Neither qualifies as acceptable value today.
Defender 110 wagons, if one can be found, appeal mainly to people who appreciated the merits of the old Land Rovers, seen in many movies forging their way through African jungle. The Defender 90 ranked more as a lifestyle accessory for "high rollers" than a real sport-utility value. After all, the convertible cost $27,900 in 1994, without a roof or back seat. Neither qualifies as acceptable value today.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Land Rover Defender Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 5 | |
| Fuel Economy | 2 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 2 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 2 | |
| Total Score: | 34 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Land Rover Defender includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Land Rover Defender .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Fuel pump:
The fuel pump will quit because the 7.5-amp fuse, which is too small for the circuit, blows. A 10-amp fuse is necessary and a notation should be made in the owner's manual. (1996-97)
Ignition switch:
Unless it is repositioned away from the distributor, the ignition module may overheat (and even melt) causing a no-start situation. (1994-97)
Poor drivability:
Several drivability problems are caused by defects in the Mass Airflow (MAF) system. The plating on electrical connectors is too thick (1993-94) or not gold plated as is necessary. (1997)
Tail/brake lights:
Hazard flasher can blow without blowing their fuses leading to a difficult diagnosis of the problem. (1997)
Transmission noise:
Unless the transmission number has an F suffix, it may suffer from excessive backlash that causes clunking noises--especially in stop-and-go traffic. (1996-97)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $560 |
| Alternator | $320 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $955 |
| Brakes | $490 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $730 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $800 |
| Exhaust System | $525 |
| Radiator | $570 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $340 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $320 |
Our price chart for this generation Land Rover Defender details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1997 | |||
| Defender 90 | $18,000-20,000 | $16,600-18,400 | $11,500-12,800 |
| 1995 | |||
| Defender 90 | $15,000-17,000 | $13,700-15,500 | $9,500-10,700 |
| 1994 | |||
| Defender 90 | $13,000-14,500 | $11,800-13,200 | $7,500-8,400 |
| 1993 | |||
| Defender 110 | $15,000-16,500 | $13,700-15,000 | $9,500-10,400 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Land Rover Defender include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door wagon | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 92.9 | 92.9 | 110.0 |
| Overall Length, in. | 157.1 | 157.1 | 181.1 |
| Overall Width, in. | 70.5 | 70.5 | 70.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 80.2 | 80.2 | 84.1 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3913 | -- | 4840 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | -- | -- | -- |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 15.6 | 14.5 | 20.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 6 | 4 | 9 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 57.0 | 57.0 | -- |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | -- | -- | -- |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | -- | -- |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | -- | -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Land Rover's 3.9-liter V8 engine produced 182 horsepower. Both the Defender 110 wagon and early Defender 90 models came only with 5-speed manual shift. When Land Rover resurrected the Defender 90 for 1997, it had a 4-speed automatic transmission instead, as well as a revised 4.0-liter V8 engine.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V8 | 3.9 / 240 | 182 | 232 | 5-speed manual: 13/16 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| ohv V8 | 4.0 / 241 | 182 | 233 | 4-speed automatic: 14/17 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: England
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Land Rover Defender include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1993-1997 Land Rover Defender 110/Defender directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1992-95 Defender:
"Hazardous Substance Label" warning was not installed on batteries.
1995 Defender:
When driveshafts were reinstalled during a quality overcheck at port of entry, the wrong-sized nuts were used; those nuts can loosen, ultimately causing disconnection of one or both driveshafts.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
