Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition review: dig Deep

Officially, the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition is a model "celebrating its rich history of adventure challenges". Which sounds disconcertingly vague for an SUV in such a specifically bright livery.

But that's partly because it does genuinely mark a variety of official adventure events, and partly... to avoid mentioning cigarettes. Call it what you will, but the Trophy Edition's Deep Sandglow Yellow paint is a direct visual reference to the iconic mustardy looking Camel Trophy (1980-2000) Landies.

Camel Trophy was a 4x4 competition held in various parts of the globe, featuring Land Rovers of various flavours heavily modified by the company.

This Defender 110 Trophy Edition was announced in 2025, which was the 45th anniversary of the first-ever Camel Trophy event in Brazil. But the special edition Defender is also really rolling out this year, which you could equally claim as a 45th because the first Camel Trophy event used Jeep CJ5s built under licence by Ford. Land Rover came on board from 1981.

We'd be remiss not to mention the G4 Challenge, even though those Land Rovers were vivid orange. A successor event to the Camel Trophy, it was launched in 2003 and partnered with Red Cross/Red Crescent from 2007. It was cancelled in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis in late-2008.

Our test car certainly elicited a knowing smile from people. Well, people of a certain age.

The new 110 Trophy Edition also goes hand-in-hand with Land Rover's new Defender Trophy competition, which is themed around "inspiring real and global change for conservation causes". Sounds much better than smoking.

The Defender Trophy (the event we mean) also kicked off in 2025. More than 50 countries have participated in regional finals this year, including New Zealand. Kiwi Lily Hillary is now the representative for Asia Pacific, and will go on to the global final in Africa this year, being held in partnership with conservation organisation Tusk. The event is imminent, late October/early November (dates still to be finalised at the time of writing).

In fact, this very vehicle was used by Hillary for 4x4 training, prior to her departure for Africa.

On the outside: what are the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition's main design features?

It's a cool heritage thing in many ways, but let's be clear: the Defender 110 Trophy Edition is mainly cosmetic. There's the Deep Sandglow Yellow which we won't go on about again. You can also have it in Keswick Green to celebrate "rural exploration in Defender's UK homeland". Just call it Kiwi Green if you like.

The Accessory Pack is optional in some markets but standard on the Kiwi version: roof rack, ladder, Gear Carrier, Classic Mud Flaps and a raised air intake.

If you want to be even more low-key, Trophy Editions in Santorini Black will also soon join the lineup. They're not in NZ yet, but you can put your order in.

Black will be a very different look, because the yellow and green are contrasted with gloss-black finish on the bonnet, topped with an anti-glare matte panel. There's a gloss black front undershield, dark rear scuff plate and gloss black wheel arches. Plus Trophy decals on the bonnet and C-pillar.

The Trophy also rides on 20-inch alloys that look very much like steel wheels, a reference to both the steel wheels favoured by hard-core 4x4 people (they can be bashed back into shape when damaged in remote areas if needed) and the large-diameter steel rims offered at launch on the Defender in 2019. The tyres are all-terrain Goodyears.

The Trophy Edition Accessory Pack is optional in some markets but standard on the Kiwi version: Expedition roof rack, deployable roof ladder, side‑mounted Gear Carrier, Classic Mud Flaps and a raised air intake for dust filtration.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition cabin like?

Like a Defender, but the Trophy Edition definitely gets the factory touch with the signature Cross Car Beam (a structural element visible inside the cabin) painted in the exterior body colour. The same hue is highlighted on the door trims.

It's a cool heritage thing in many ways, but let's be clear: the Defender 110 Trophy Edition is mainly cosmetic.

The Trophy is upholstered in Ebony Windsor leather and there are laser-etched Trophy logos on the endcaps of the dashboard (only visible when the doors are open, see Gallery below)), with Trophy-branded illuminated sill plates on the door apertures.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition like to drive?

It's a proper 4x4 of course, and we've done plenty of that over the years in this generation of Defender. But the genius of this model is that it's so characterful and composed on-road too. And comfy, so comfy.

The cornering rhythm feels unflappable. The Defender rolls, but it's tenacious.

The Trophy Edition only comes in the 110 5-door body style with the D350 straight-six turbo diesel engine. The powerplant is a magnificent thing, sonorous (yes, we know it's a diesel, but it is) and super-strong. And not too shabby in a straight line, with 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds.

There's nothing as gauche as a Sport setting in the Defender's multiple drive/terrain modes, nor should there be. The chassis is incredibly soft but the big fella is truly composed, soaking up imperfections and settling into a cornering rhythm that feels unflappable. It rolls, but it's tenacious. And there's plenty of punch on tap to propel you along to the next one.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 3 years/100,000km. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition?

Cool or contrived, sublime or silly: you could mount a strong argument either way. Land Rover loves its "editions" and in that context, the Trophy is a pretty interesting one. It can be as striking as you like (yellow, green of black, in other words). Our car certainly elicited a knowing smile from people. Well, people of a certain age.

At $189,990 it's decent value against a Defender X-Dynamic HSE at $169,990. The standard Trophy Edition Accessory Pack, which is all stuff you can buy for other Defenders, would eat up a chunk of that alone.

And any Defender D350 is a pretty sweet thing to drive, both on and off the road.

Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition FAQs

What kind of car is the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition?

A large 5-door 4x4.

Does the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition have hybrid or EV technology?

It's a 48-volt mild hybrid turbo diesel.

What’s the fuel economy of the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition?

It's rated at 8.3-9.0l/100km under the WLTP protocol.

Is the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition safe?

The Defender 110 still carries a 5-star ANCAP rating, valid until December this year.

What safety and assistance features does the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition have?

What are the Land Rover Defender 110 Trophy Edition's main rivals?

• Mercedes-Benz G450d ($217,000): Effortlessly cool, outrageously capable, old-school. Expensive.
• Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ($107,990): If you want to talk 4x4 heritage, this has to be in the conversation.
• Toyota Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport ($166,990): Not nearly as posh, but bursting with heritage and ability.
• Ford Ranger Raptor ($98,490): A ute, but also a dedicated off-road... racer.
• Suzuki Jimny 5dr Two Tone automatic ($45,990): Another yellow 4x4 legend. Other colours are available.