2022 Land Rover Defender 110 XS: Luxury Meets Adventure

The resurrected Land Rover Defender has become a defining vehicle in the modern SUV landscape, successfully balancing contemporary luxury with legendary off-road heritage. The introduction of the XS Edition trim level represents Land Rover’s commitment to providing buyers with a comprehensively equipped option that doesn’t compromise on either comfort or capability. This fourth-generation Defender 110 XS delivers an impressive combination of amenities that appeal to buyers seeking a vehicle equally at home navigating urban streets or tackling challenging terrain.

Comprehensive Trim Level Enhancement

The XS Edition represents a significant step up in terms of standard equipment and passenger amenities compared to base Defender models. Land Rover designed this trim specifically for buyers who want a thoroughly appointed vehicle without the complexity of extensive option selection. The XS Edition bundles together heated and cooled front seats, premium leather-and-cloth upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, adjustable air suspension, and adaptive cruise control as standard features.

This comprehensive approach to equipment means that XS owners gain access to features that typically require costly option packages on competing vehicles. The inclusion of these amenities at the trim level rather than as individual options provides better value proposition and streamlined selection process for discerning buyers.

Interior Refinement and Climate Management

The cabin of the Defender 110 XS prioritizes passenger comfort with several advanced climate and seating technologies. The heated and cooled front seat functionality provides year-round comfort, adapting to seasonal conditions and individual preferences. The three-zone automatic climate control system ensures that front and rear passengers can maintain independent temperature preferences, a feature particularly valuable on extended journeys with diverse passenger preferences.

The leather-and-cloth upholstery creates a premium aesthetic while maintaining practical durability for vehicles destined for both urban and wilderness use. The combination of materials provides visual sophistication while the cloth elements enhance grip and reduce heat absorption compared to full leather surfaces. Additional comfort features include:

• Heated steering wheel for cold-weather driving
• Panoramic glass roof with tilt and slide functionality
• Center console refrigerator for beverage and food storage
• Wireless mobile charging pad integration
• Premium Meridian sound system for audio enjoyment

Suspension Technology and Ride Quality

The Defender 110 XS comes equipped with adjustable air suspension as standard, a feature that distinguishes this trim from base models relying on conventional coil springs. This suspension system provides multiple functional advantages beyond conventional comfort enhancement. The air suspension enables riders to adjust vehicle height, lowering the Defender for highway driving to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel economy, then raising it when approaching rough terrain to increase ground clearance and approach angles.

Modern air suspension technology delivers smoother ride quality across varied road surfaces while maintaining the structural rigidity necessary for off-road performance. The system automatically compensates for load variations, maintaining consistent ride height regardless of passenger count or cargo weight. This technology particularly benefits SUV owners who frequently transition between highway and off-road environments.

Safety Architecture and Driver Assistance Systems

The 2022 Defender 110 XS incorporates comprehensive safety technology as standard across the lineup. Land Rover equips all Defender models with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 360-degree camera system provides crucial situational awareness, particularly valuable when navigating tight urban spaces or off-road obstacles.

Additional available safety enhancements include automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control, technologies that reduce driver workload on extended highway journeys. The adaptive cruise control system makes appropriate speed corrections smoothly, responding to changing traffic conditions and maintaining safe following distances automatically. The surround-view camera system delivers comprehensive visualization of surrounding obstacles, beneficial both in parking scenarios and during off-road navigation.

Performance and Engine Selection

The Defender 110 platform accommodates multiple engine options, providing buyers with choices suited to different driving priorities. The base powertrain consists of Land Rover’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, capable of accelerating the Defender 110 to 60 mph in approximately 7.7 seconds. This efficient engine option emphasizes fuel economy and lower operating costs.

Buyers prioritizing performance capabilities can select the inline six-cylinder engine developing 395 horsepower, which Edmunds testing confirmed achieves 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.7 seconds for the four-door configuration. For those seeking maximum performance, Land Rover offers a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 producing 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. This eight-cylinder engine generates 0-60 mph performance in approximately 4.4 to 4.9 seconds depending on testing methodology, positioning the V-8 Defender as a credible performance alternative to traditional sports utility vehicles.

Fuel Efficiency Considerations

The Defender 110 demonstrates typical fuel economy expectations for a mid-size luxury SUV with substantial curb weight. EPA ratings for the four-cylinder model range from 17-18 mpg city to 20-21 mpg highway, with combined estimates approximately 19 mpg. The six-cylinder engine naturally consumes additional fuel, reflecting its increased performance capability. The supercharged V-8 option carries EPA ratings of 14-15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, comparable to other high-performance off-road SUVs.

While fuel economy does not rank among the Defender’s strongest attributes, the consumption rates remain reasonable given the vehicle’s size, weight, and capability. Buyers prioritizing efficiency should evaluate the turbocharged four-cylinder option, while those emphasizing performance acceptably compromise on fuel economy when selecting larger engines.

Off-Road Capability and Terrain Management

Despite its modern unibody construction, the Defender 110 retains the legendary off-road capabilities associated with the brand’s heritage. The vehicle provides 11.5 inches of ground clearance and can ford through water depths reaching 35 inches. The fully independent suspension replaces traditional solid axles found on earlier Defender generations, delivering improved on-road refinement while maintaining serious off-road performance credentials.

The adjustable air suspension on XS models particularly enhances off-road versatility by enabling height adjustment to optimize approach angles and departure clearance when traversing challenging terrain. This technology allows drivers to lower the vehicle for daily driving and raise it when backcountry conditions demand maximum ground clearance. The Defender competes directly with other capable platforms including the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Lexus GX in the adventure-focused SUV segment.

Interior Space and Cargo Flexibility

The Defender 110 four-door configuration seats seven passengers across three rows, providing comprehensive transportation capacity for families and group adventures. The center tunnel design minimizes intrusion into rear legroom, allowing three rear passengers to sit comfortably without awkward positioning. Quarter windows admit additional light into rear seating areas, enhancing the sense of spaciousness within the cabin.

Practical storage solutions include center armrests with integrated cup holders for rear passengers, climate control vents serving all seating rows, and intelligent cargo management. The wireless charging pad integrated into the interior accommodates modern mobile devices, addressing the practical needs of contemporary drivers.

Exterior Styling and Paint Options

The Defender 110 XS carries multiple distinctive exterior treatments that enhance visual appeal. Special paint options complement the modern design, with Carpathian Gray exterior finish paired with black-painted roof and tailgate on certain configurations. The XS Edition features distinctive badging that communicates trim-level positioning to observers.

Functional exterior elements include black-painted tow hooks and Xenon Blue brake calipers, combining aesthetic distinctiveness with practical utility. The 20-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels provide striking visual presentation while supporting the vehicle’s capability focus.

Technology Integration and Infotainment

The 2022 model year introduces an enlarged 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system available on XS models, providing superior control over vehicle functions and entertainment systems. The interface integrates climate control, audio systems, navigation, and vehicle diagnostics into a unified digital environment. Premium audio comes via the Meridian sound system, engineered specifically to suit the Defender’s cabin acoustics and provide high-fidelity audio reproduction.

The ClearSight rear-view camera system, featured on XS editions, replaces the conventional mirror with a digital display showing an unobstructed rearward view. This technology eliminates visual obstruction from tall passengers or cargo, providing clearer sightlines for parking and reversing maneuvers.

Vehicle Construction and Reliability Foundations

The modern Defender 110 employs unibody construction methodology rather than the body-on-frame architecture of its predecessor, representing a fundamental engineering shift. This design approach enhances on-road refinement and structural rigidity while supporting the vehicle’s sophisticated suspension system. The fully independent suspension architecture replaces traditional solid axles, delivering improved ride quality and handling precision.

Land Rover backs the Defender with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty, providing initial ownership security. As with many vehicles featuring complex technological systems and demanding design parameters, long-term reliability remains a consideration for prospective buyers researching ownership costs and durability expectations.

Competitive Positioning and Market Context

The Defender 110 XS Edition competes within a specialized market segment combining luxury amenities with serious off-road competence. This positioning appeals to affluent buyers seeking adventure-capable vehicles without sacrificing contemporary comfort and technology. The XS trim specifically targets buyers desiring comprehensive equipment packages that simplify decision-making compared to extensive à la carte option selection.

Car and Driver awarded the 2022 Defender strong marks for ultra-capable off-road performance, surprising on-road refinement, and well-equipped interiors, though highlighting disappointing fuel economy and premium pricing for desirable features. MotorTrend recognized the Defender as a successful modern reinterpretation of an iconic vehicle, earning 2021 SUV of the Year recognition for the revised platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguishes the XS Edition from base Defender 110 models?

The XS Edition bundles numerous standard features including heated and cooled front seats, premium leather-and-cloth upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, adjustable air suspension, and adaptive cruise control, providing comprehensive equipment without extensive option selection.

Which engine option provides optimal fuel efficiency?

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers the best fuel economy, achieving approximately 17-18 mpg city and 20-21 mpg highway ratings. This option suits buyers prioritizing efficiency over outright performance.

How does the adjustable air suspension enhance capability?

The air suspension system enables height adjustment, allowing drivers to lower the vehicle for highway driving to improve aerodynamics and fuel economy, then raise it for off-road situations requiring maximum ground clearance and approach angles.

What warranty coverage does Land Rover provide?

The Defender comes with a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty providing initial ownership protection against manufacturing defects.

Can the Defender handle serious off-road challenges?

Yes, the Defender 110 provides 11.5 inches of ground clearance and can ford through water depths reaching 35 inches, complemented by fully independent suspension and available all-terrain capabilities.