Review of the Land Rover Defender Commercial

The Land Rover Defender Commercial, also known as the Hard Top, is a 4x4 that blends regular performance with off-road excellence. With loads of equipment and generous cargo space, the Defender Commercial is a force to be reckoned with. 

Rivals to the Defender Commercial include the Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial, Dacia Duster Commercial, Jeep Wrangler, and Suzuki Jimny Commercial. 

Our Land Rover Defender Commercial review covers:

• Typical boxy Defender design, albeit with solid panels replacing the rear windows 
• Luxurious and well-built interior 
• Up to 2,059 litres of load volume
• Two diesel engines available 
• Five trim levels 

Pros:

• Excellent off-road performance 
• Composed when driving around town
• Practical interior and generous load space 

Cons:

• Expensive
• Only two engines available 
• Pickups are a more sensible option if you need load space 

The Defender Commercial is undoubtedly one of the best-looking commercial 4x4s on the market. On the outside, it looks very similar to the passenger car, with a horizontal front grille and a boxy rear end. The main difference is that the rear side windows are replaced by solid panels.  

The Defender Commercial is the same as the regular Defender in that it's available as either a three-door '90' or a five-door '110'. Whatever configuration you go for, the Defender Commercial is extremely spacious in every direction, and even those who exceed six feet have enough space to get comfortable. 

Unlike the standard Defender, the Defender Commercial has nothing behind the seats. They're replaced by a flat load bed that can be accessed by the side-opening tailgate or bulkhead behind the front seats. Total load volume comes in at 1,355 litres in the 90 and 2,059 litres in the 110.

The inside of the Defender Commercial is fantastic. The dashboard is fit for purpose, with immense build quality complimented by practical buttons that you can easily use while on the move. It's a bit more rugged than the standard Defender, but that's what makes a 4x4 so special. 

On the dashboard, you get a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment with a DAB radio, sat-nav, and smartphone mirroring. It responds quickly to touch and displays razor-sharp graphics that are easy to rear. From the HSE trim and above, it gets upgraded to an 11.4-inch screen. 

You also get loads of other tech as standard, such as a 3D surround camera system and a 12.3-inch digital driver display that allows you to customise the vehicle and journey data shown. 

Five trim levels are available for the Defender Commercial: Hard Top, SE, HSE, X-Dynamic HSE, and X. 

Hard Top has 18-inch steel wheels, LED lights, two-zone climate control, eight-way heated semi-powered front seats, Ebony fabric seats, an Ebony interior, cabin walk-through, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, a 3D surround camera, cruise control, a 360-degree parking aid, and wade sensing. 

SE has 20-inch steel wheels, LED headlights with signature DRL, 12-way heated electric driver memory front seats with 2-way manual headrests, a Meridian sound system, blind-spot assist,  and a rear-traffic monitor. 

HSE adds Ebony Windsor leather seats, 14-way heated and cooled electric driver memory front seats with 4-way manual headrests, an 11.4-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, and a rear collision monitor. 

X-Dynamic HSE has 20-inch satin dark grey alloy wheels, Ebony Windsor leather and Robustec seats, and configurable cabin lighting. 

X adds 20-inch diamond-turned wheels with a gloss dark grey contrast, matrix LED headlights, Ebony Windsor leather and Kvadrat textile seats, a leather steering wheel, and an intrusion sensor. 

Two 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel units make up the engine range for the Defender Commercial, the D250 and D300. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive and feature mild-hybrid technology. 

For an entry-level unit, the D250 certainly packs a punch and is our pick of the two. With a power output of 249hp and achieving 0-60mph in just 7.6 seconds, it has no issues accelerating with a full load in the rear. It also makes a fantastic noise, which can't be said about the Ford Ranger or Toyota Hilux pickups. 

The other option is the D300, which increases power output to 300hp and shoots from 0-60mph in just 6.5 seconds. It has all the power you could possibly want in a 4x4 and is no doubt a great engine, but it falls short of the entry-level unit based on how much more it costs. 

Both units use mild-hybrid technology to save fuel and provide a little extra acceleration, contributing to a fuel economy of around 33mpg. 

The Defender Commercial is a versatile 4x4 that is equally as good cruising at low speeds as it is off-road. Find yourself around town, and the Defender Commercial is comfortable and deals with bumps in the road well. The non-existent rear visibility takes a bit of getting used to, but the range of cameras and sensors helps make parking just as easy. 

On the motorway or a country road, the Defender Commercial is keen to be driven. The automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, and the steering is well-weighted and engaging. 

Go off-road, and the Defender Commercial is in its element. The Terrain Response system it features makes it simple to set up the car for different conditions, and its highest suspension setting tackles deep potholes and boulders with relative ease. 

Prices for the new Land Rover Defender Commercial start from £57,030.00 OTR* or to lease from £477.76 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Land Rover Defender Commercial? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.