Land Rover Defender Hybrid Confirmed For USA

Oct. 21, 2021 11:01 AM ET byGerhard Horn Scoop /3 Comments

The Defender PHEV can cover 27 miles in all-electric mode.

We've known that the Land Rover Defender plug-in hybrid has existed for a while, as it wasunveiled in Europe around a year ago．It's already on sale in the UK for roughly $4,000 more than the P400 with a turbocharged inline-six with a mild-hybrid assist.

At the time, Land Rover USA kept quiet on whether it would be sold in the USA, but we can now exclusively confirm that it will be.CarBuzzhas discovered that the 2022Land Rover DefenderPHEV was uploaded to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, which means it has been registered in the USA. The NHTSA website provides details on recalls and safety issues, investigations, consumer complaints, and safety ratings.

Land Rover

NHTSA

We're not surprised, as Land Rover USA needs this model for the Defender to appeal to the largest possible audience. Allow us to explain.

To date, there hasn't been a US-bound Defender that you could reasonably call environmentally friendly. You'd expect the turbocharged four-banger to be a champion for the green cause, but since you have to work it harder to make any worthwhile progress, it delivers the exact combined mpg figure as the turbocharged inline-six. There's also the518-horsepower supercharged V8 Defender, but we'd rather not mention how much gas it consumes. Let's just say that you won't be getting a Christmas card from Greta Thunberg.

Land Rover

The Defender is very much in vogue and can be considered the rich man'sFord Bronco．As with the Bronco, Land Rover isstruggling to meet demand．Most Defenders are being sold to suburban families who want to make a statement, and very few will ever see anything more menacing than a five-inch curb at the mall. It's also extremely fashionable to drive a hybrid these days. Not to mention the fact that cars like these are slowly preparing the world for the inevitable move over to full electrification.

The Defender PHEV is equipped with the same turbocharged four-pot as used in P300 models. It gets a P400e badge, which is the first clue as to how potent this plug-in can be. The gas engine works alongside a 141-hp electric motor, which results in a combined power output of 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. It gets the Defender to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, making it the quickest Defender not equipped with a supercharged V8.

Land Rover

What really matters is the claimed consumption and EV range. Land Rover claims it's capable of doing 71 MPGe. In all-electric mode, it can cover 27 miles. That should cover most daily trips if you happen to live in or near a city. Using DC rapid charging, it will charge to 80% in 30 minutes. Using a 7 kW AC wall box, it can charge to 80% in roughly two hours.

Even in PHEV trim, the Defender remains a capable off-roader. The instant power delivery of the electric motor should be a joy when it comes to off-roading. The PHEV uses the same permanent 4WD system and Terrain Response trickery as any other model, so it will keep on working even if you run the battery down.

Apparently, Land Rover still hasbig plans for the Defender, including a three-row model, a pickup, and an ultra-luxury model.