Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The force behind the Land Rover Defender 90 Station Wagon is a powerful, 4-cylinder, 16-valve 2198cc turbodiesel engine. It packs 266 lb-ft of torque and produces 120bhp. Its power rating is nothing special but it gives amazing pull thanks to its mountain of torque. The Defender 90 Station Wagon really will climb ev'ry mountain and ford ev'ry stream.

It has high levels of grip and handles superbly. The transmission is smooth with the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 4-wheel drive uses a two-speed transfer system to distribute power to all four wheels at once, and this helps the vehicle remain competent in difficult terrain.

Anti-roll bars help the Defender cope with on-road demands. It is flexible and accelerates at a modest rate, reaching 62mph in 14.7 seconds and a top speed of 90mph. Approach corners at low speed to avoid body lean.

The Defender is noisier than the average car, whether you are crawling or cruising at top speed, so you learn to get used to the noise. Wind and road noise are always obvious but all-round visibility is good.

The Defender 90 Station Wagon bears that iconic, rugged Land Rover look, but it is practical in its design, providing plenty of space inside. It is a 2-door, 4-seat 4x4 with a very basic build and an even more basic cabin. It has the smallest wheelbase in the range, at 90 inches, which also means it is the least spacious but it proves to be the most capable off road.

The Defender is void of equipment. Creatures comfort are available on the options list but standard equipment consists of four wheels and a roof.

The Defender 90 Station Wagon is built to last. Stable, steady and strong, buy a Defender and the chances are it'll probably outlive you.

Even with its legendary reliability, it is hard to ignore the fact that safety equipment is not available, especially because rivals come packed with kit. ABS and traction control are available as optional extras, however.

The driving position is set high and provides a good view of the road ahead. Unfortunately, the seat can only be moved forwards and backwards; you cannot adjust the height, and neither can you adjust the steering wheel. The dashboard is simple and the controls are within easy reach.

Four adults will sit (relatively) comfortably, and there is enough head and legroom both in the front and rear. Unsurprisingly, there is plenty of storage space.

The Defender 90 Station Wagon does not come cheap. A new model costs £23,795 but residual values should be strong. Off-roaders are ever in demand and the Defender is one of the most sought after 4x4s. Even if you are not looking to sell, you can be assured that the vehicle will serve you well for decades. A 3-year, unlimited mileage warranty will ensure that the manufacturer takes care of any problems you face during those initial years of ownership.

Fuel economy is not great. At best, you'll get 27.7mpg on average. Due to the size of the engine, emissions are also pretty high. It gives off 269g/km, which is among the highest in any class. You will pay the highest VED - £1,000 in the first year and £460 annually thereafter.