If any vehicle can turn an impossible 4 wheel drive situation into the possible anywhere from Australia to Zambia and almost every country in between, it’s the legendary Landrover Defender.

For well over 50 years the Defender in its various forms has had terrain traversing talents that are only matched by mountain goats. This vehicle is 4WD old school and wears it proudly likely a badge. There are thousands of admirers around the world rapt it is still out their pulling off deeds that are the sort of stuff that super serious 4WD folklore is made of.

Like all legends, this one to must come to an inevitable end. That day is rapidly approaching for the Defender, and is being hastened by a variety of forces including decreasing sales, tougher engine emission and crash standards. The latter is becoming a real issue. As country’s raise their crash testing standards, the Defender with its minimalist safety equipment is being squeezed out of a growing number of markets, among them, the United States.

An all new replacement is expected in 2014/15.You have to admire the turtle like longevity of the Defender that on-road anyway moves with the speed of one as well. Over 60 years on the market in various forms is a great innings that verges on freakish, which the Defender has plenty of in its DNA, with its ability to claw, clamber and scramble out of doom like 4WD mires.

Over the years the Defender has changed on the inside but has had deviated little from its instantly recognisable squared off iconic silhouette. The Jeep Wrangler is the only other model market that could stake a genuine claim for similar status. Changes to the Defender have move at glacial speeds and that was obvious in the 110 Defender Station wagon I test drove recently. The latest changes are a new 2.2 litre Puma turbo diesel engine and anti skid brakes and traction control are now offered. That is the good news; the bad news is they are a $4000 extra about the same price you will pay for the optional heavy duty suspension.

A factor that is dulling the appeal of the Defender is its price that is on the steep side for a vehicle largely based around technology that is several decades old. The cheapest model is the single cab and chassis costing $61,500, the test vehicle retails for $71,500 a price it shares with the two well side double cabs variant that are offered. Rounding out the range is the short wheel base station wagon – but hardly a bargain at $68,500.

It’s advancing years and senior 4WD citizen status certainly has not blunted the Defender talents as a “Go anywhere” 4WD. “On-road” driving in the test vehicle is where you really see where time is snapping and almost gnawing at the heels of this model. It was apparent several areas. The most obvious being the sluggish performance from what is supposedly a new engine and a hefty and ponderous gear change. The suspension seemed to break into a nervous sweat on uneven road surfaces at anything above modest speeds. 

Ride and road holding is still a work in progress and one that will never be completed before the all new model arrives. While it’s easy to be critical of the new engine it’s much better than some of the motors that have blighted this model over the years. The latest 2.2 litre common rail turbo diesel is good for 90kw, although barely enough to move this 4WD heavyweight. This latest power source has a much stronger greener tinge, meeting Euro four engine emission standards. There is also a decent wedge of torque to carve into with 360 Nm of torque from 2000rpm.

Passing slower moving traffic is something you need to carefully consider, with plenty of clear road ahead needing to be factored into your overtaking equation. With its pedestrian performance its really is part of the slower moving traffic crowd and is not designed to bound effortlessly past dawdling vehicles. Noise levels have been cut with a lot less engine drone at open road speeds. The six-speed manual is much better than any other Defender but still fairly unrefined by today’s gear changing standards.

A dated cabin has a kind of old world charm that still works in the 21st century. This most recent make over the Defender saw some worthwhile improvements in the passenger compartment including a more modern dash design and stalk controls for the indicators and wipers. The seating configuration has changed passenger numbers dropping back to seven from the 10 you could pile in with the help of the bench seats along each side of the rear of the vehicle. These have been replaced by a couple of conventional forward facing seats.

On-road ride and handling is at best competent. To be fair you would not expect much more from a vehicle built first and fore most as an out and out off-roader and one of the best in the business. Piloted thorough corners with the restraint and consideration such an automotive veteran deserves and there are no issues. The Defenders height, basic suspension, narrow track and lifeless steering, all provide compelling reasons for the driver to take a “Softly softy” approach to negotiating curves.

What’s the verdict? Brilliant off-road, mediocre on-road, but still remains a true 4WD icon.