When it comes to all-road capability with saturating elegance, nobody beats the Brits. Check the Land Rover Defender 110 that traces its heritage to British Royalty but can take occupants to virtually any height. But what if your budget doesn’t tap a nation’s treasury? The Kia Telluride X-Line offers British-inspired style for the proletariat.
2024 Land Rover Defender 110 is Magical
Queen Elizabeth was very fond of her Land Rover Defenders for bounding around her country estates, but she kept a Bentley for official engagements. The all-capable Defender wasn’t exactly the right vibe for rolling up to Parliament. If she had this Defender that’s a little more Range Rover and a little less British Jeep, she could have economized to one lofty ride.
It looks stately, especially in monochrome black, but it’s also a style QEII’s grandchildren would embrace. You can see classic cues in round LED headlamps, silver bumper inserts, and rear-mounted spare tire. There’s a lot of plastic in the facias, but like the originals, also a lot of aluminum in the bodywork. I especially like the hood patches that look like step plates, taillamps with surfaces flush mounted and modernly muscular streamlined forms. It’s clearly a Land Rover.
There’s a bit of a climb to slide inside, but once there, one snuffles like a new-age potentate. Don’t worry about getting it dirty, though, because it’s still ready for trail and dale. While many surfaces are soft and stitched, exposed bolts, rubber floormats and synthetic materials beg to be washed down after noble adventures. Yet, grained leather heated seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic glass roof, and deep Meridian audio bring luxuries – as do tri-zone automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers.
If there’s a downside, it’s the touchscreen infotainment system. The glossy dash screen delivers access to audio, phone, and navigation functions, but tapping into it without becoming friendly with the owner’s manual will have you cursing the entire empire. Land Rover can do better, but at least devices connect easily through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The safety suite is considerably easier to understand as adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane keep assist, and rear cross path alert protect human cargo.
Any royal (or wannabe) should enjoy the drive. Smooth seamless power flows from the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with electric supercharger. It’s quick, accelerating 0-60 mph in just 5.8 seconds, and formidable as that power routes to the four-wheel-drive system and electronically active differential through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Tow up to 8,200 lbs. Fuel economy rates 17/20-MPG city/highway.
Unlike in old days when Defenders bounced around on their solid axles, the latest one is magical as its air suspension balances capability and comfort. It can be raised for serious off-roading, and kneels for easier entry, but it also allows the big wagon to serenely waft down the highway and soak up potholes. It’s an absolute delight on long expanses of American Interstates. Beyond that, the Terrain Response System configures the powertrain for all types of conditions. Mud and snow don’t stand a chance. One wagon does it all.
As expected for a vehicle owned by and fit for royalty, the Defender 110 SE has imperial pricing that starts at $60,800 for a Defender 110 and rises to $82,523 as-equipped. Competitors include the Lexus GX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, GMC Yukon, and Mercedes G-Wagen.
2024 Kia Telluride Prestige X-Line Keeps a Stiff Upper Lip
There’s no denying a Land Rover is the quintessential British luxury wagon, fit for surveying one’s estate, but it comes with a price to match its excellence. But, maybe there’s another option. Designed to look British with luxury to match, consider the Kia Telluride that keeps a stiff upper lip.
There’s a suave Britishness to the Telluride’s design. Echoing Kia’s X-Pro trim that’s fortified for true off-roading, X-Line gives the look without all the drama. Black window trim, mirror caps, grille, and 20” wheels lend a sinister look. The rounded box body shape with vertical LED headlamps, L-shaped taillamps, and side windows that hint at coach doors speak with a British accent.
Stepping in, it feels upscale with black quilted Nappa leather seats, heated/ventilated front- and second-row seats, and heated steering wheel. Matte wood trim is fake, but looks legit. Sunshine streams through the dual pane sunroof. Dual infotainment screens are sleek and super intuitive. Connect devices through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to tap the Harman/Kardon premium audio system. Charge wirelessly in the console.
Safety is paramount. A head-up display, surround view parking monitor, and blind spot monitors (camera displays in the gauge cluster) enhance safety – as do rear occupant alert with ultrasonic sensors and Safe Exit Assist.
On-road, the 3.8-liter V6 delivers 291 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque – all routed to the active all-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Add to that a self-leveling rear suspension and 5,500 lbs. towing capacity. Fuel economy rates 18/24-MPG city/highway.
It may look like a six-figure Brit, but the Telluride provides considerable value. Prices start at $36,190, rising to $54,540 exquisitely equipped. Also consider the Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX-90, and Ford Explorer.
Storm Forward!
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