This nameplate was introduced for the 1990 model year, when Land Rover renamed its long-running coil-sprung utility vehicles and launched the Defender 90, 110 and later 130. Although the Defender badge itself is relatively recent, the model’s history reaches back to the original Land Rover of 1948, which established the basic recipe of simple construction, compact dimensions, serious off-road ability and a highly practical, go-anywhere character. The Defender name was chosen to reflect what the vehicle had already become around the world: dependable, rugged and built for work in the harshest conditions.
The classic Defender era ran as a single, continuous production line from 1990 until 2016. During that period, Land Rover steadily evolved the formula rather than replacing it, refining engines, interiors and body styles while keeping the unmistakable boxy shape and utilitarian mission intact. It became one of the most recognized 4x4s on the planet, used by farmers, aid organizations, military customers, explorers and enthusiasts, while also earning a place in British cultural life and royal service.
After the original run ended in 2016, Land Rover revived the Defender as an all-new model for the 2020 model year. The modern Defender carries the same name and off-road focus, but it is a thoroughly redesigned vehicle built for a different era, with a more modern structure, broader model family and a stronger emphasis on everyday usability alongside extreme capability. Together, the classic and modern versions make the Defender one of Land Rover’s most important and enduring nameplates.