Land Rover Defender 3rd Row Seating Review
The Land Rover Defender’s third-row seating has been laughable in years past, but the 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 boasts plenty of room for everyone.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With an anticipated 36.6 inches of legroom in the third row, the 2023
Land Rover
Defender 130 is a good three-row SUV. It will best most midsize SUVs in terms of third-row passenger space.Prior to 2023, folks looking for a Land Rover Defender with a third row had to opt for the Defender 110. The 110 comes with a folding jump seat squeezed into the space previously reserved for cargo—but no more.
It’s been teased since early 2021, but the true three-row Defender 130 is finally available for pre-order.
If you’re considering a Land Rover,
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
, is here with the Land Rover Defender’s third-row seating review, including dimensions for the 130’s full third row. Plus, we’ll take a look at how the 2023 Defender stacks up against the competition.What is the Land Rover Defender’s 3rd row like?
If we’re being honest, before 2023, the Land Rover Defender’s third row is laughable at best. Some reviews call it pointless, while others refer to it as torturous.
Not only do 2022 and prior models’ third rows seriously diminish cargo capacity, but they also can’t be saved for small children—they lack LATCH connectors and tether anchors for child seats.
With the addition of the Defender 130 to the 2023 lineup, those days are over. Third-row passengers get nearly as much legroom as those in the second row, and the eight-passenger 130 lacks nothing for cargo space.
For added comfort, third-row passengers in the new Defender 130 even get the same climate features and armrests with cup holders as second-row passengers.
Space and comfort
When it comes to third-row seating in an SUV, comfort is key. Land Rover drivers have long wished for a comfortable—or even a truly usable—third row of seats in the Defender. With the 2023 release of the Defender 130, they’ll finally have it.
Let’s look at the projected dimensions for the Land Rover Defender 130:
- Third row: 36.6 inches of legroom, 38.6 inches of headroom
- Second row: 39 inches of legroom, 38.6 inches of headroom
- First row: 39 inches of legroom, 40.6 inches of headroom
- In addition to tons of passenger space, the Defender 130 will feature up to 88.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down and 13.7 cubic feet with all three rows in place
As you can see, passengers in the Defender 130’s third row get almost the same amount of space as those in the first two rows. While the particularly long-legged may feel a bit cramped in the third row, the proposed Defender 130 should offer plenty of room in all three rows for most people to travel in comfort.
It’s tough to beat the Land Rover Defender in headroom, thanks to its boxy design, but if you’re looking for additional legroom, you’ll need to look at full-size competitors like the
Lincoln Navigator
. For a better indication of where the Defender 130 lands in terms of passenger volume, take a look at the table of competitors below.
Model | Starting price | Third-row legroom | Third-row headroom | Total passenger volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Land Rover Defender 130 | $54,975 | 36.6 inches | 38.6 inches | Not calculated |
Genesis GV80 | $51,295 | 30.3 inches | 34.3 inches | 108.7 cubic feet |
$54,535 | 29.2 inches | 36.9 inches | 144.7 cubic feet | |
$51,995 | 31.9 inches | 36.3 inches | 103.8 cubic feet | |
$49,045 | 28 inches | 35.7 inches | 133 cubic feet | |
$49,195 | 29 inches | 36.2 inches | 132.7 cubic feet | |
$88,245 | 22.6 inches | 34.8 inches | 99.8 cubic feet | |
Cadillac XT6 | $49,990 | 29.5 inches | 37.2 inches | 149.9 cubic feet |
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Is the Land Rover Defender good for big families and long trips?
The Land Rover Defender’s third row offers enough space for the whole family and comfort for average-sized adults on long trips.
Upon its release for the 2023 model year, the Land Rover Defender 130 will have more third-row legroom than any competitor in its class. That said, it can’t beat full-size SUVs like the Ford Expedition or Chevrolet Suburban when it comes to offering road-trip comfort to anyone in any row.
How to find affordable car insurance for your Land Rover
The Land Rover Defender is not only a great three-row SUV, but it’s also an excellent option for off-roading. With a luxury price tag and off-road equipment, you can expect your
car insurance
to be expensive. But you can still save money on coverage by shopping with Jerry
. It’s simple: just download the free Jerry app, answer a few questions, and in 45 seconds, Jerry will scan quotes from over 55 top providers to find the best deals on the best coverage for you. Just tap your top pick, and Jerry will take it from there, setting up your new policy and even helping you cancel your old one.
But what about those savings? How does over $800 a year sound? That’s how much the average Jerry user saves on insurance premiums each year!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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