5 July 24th - July 30th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2025 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110: POLISHED ENOUGH FOR TEA, TOUGH ENOUGH FOR WAR 2025 HONDA CR-V HYBRID If James Bond went off- If James Bond went off- grid and joined a survivalist grid and joined a survivalist commune, he’d drive the commune, he’d drive the 2025 Land Rover Defender 2025 Land Rover Defender 110. This thing is a five- 110. This thing is a five- star hotel wrapped in a riot star hotel wrapped in a riot shield. Rugged? Absolutely. shield. Rugged? Absolutely. Refined? Shockingly. The Refined? Shockingly. The 110 body style stretches it 110 body style stretches it out for extra space, extra out for extra space, extra style, and extra “don’t even style, and extra “don’t even think about tailgating me” think about tailgating me” energy. It looks like it could energy. It looks like it could win a Dakar Rally in the win a Dakar Rally in the morning and valet at a Ritz- morning and valet at a Ritz- Carlton by dinner. Carlton by dinner. Power comes from a Power comes from a 3.0L mild-hybrid inline-6 that 3.0L mild-hybrid inline-6 that kicks out 395 horsepower kicks out 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque— and 406 lb-ft of torque— enough to move this beast enough to move this beast with confidence whether with confidence whether you’re fording rivers or just you’re fording rivers or just merging onto I-10. You’ll merging onto I-10. You’ll get 18 MPG city, 20 on the get 18 MPG city, 20 on the highway, and a big dose of “I highway, and a big dose of “I drive a Defender” pride every drive a Defender” pride every time you fill the tank. Starting time you fill the tank. Starting at $86,725, it’s not cheap, at $86,725, it’s not cheap, but neither is your taste but neither is your taste in outerwear or espresso in outerwear or espresso machines. machines. Inside? It’s a luxury Inside? It’s a luxury bunker. Think high- bunker. Think high- end materials, a huge end materials, a huge touchscreen, grab handles touchscreen, grab handles galore, and just enough galore, and just enough utilitarian edge to make you utilitarian edge to make you feel like you might actually feel like you might actually take it off-road. Add in Land take it off-road. Add in Land Rover’s Terrain Response Rover’s Terrain Response system and air suspension, system and air suspension, and you’re ready to climb a and you’re ready to climb a mountain or dominate the mountain or dominate the school pickup line with equal school pickup line with equal swagger. swagger. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
