Did you know that the Defender has been illegal in the United States for nearly two decades? This is a bit strange because the prestigious luxury off-road vehicle that many people love to buy.
Why was the Land Rover Defender illegal in the US?
It became illegal and was banned in the US in 1997. Reportedly, if you are caught with a model manufactured between 1993 and 1997, it can be confiscated and destroyed.
The 1993 Defender 110 has been heavily modified to meet safety standards set by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT).
It was equipped with an air conditioning system, an external roll cage, a roof rack, and brush guards, which made it a little cooler than the models sold outside. But then 110 was replaced by 90.
Things were going smashing until 1998, when new airbag regulations went into effect. Every new car sold in the United States must have an airbag installed for the driver and front passenger seats.
Other models, such as the Land Rover Discovery, received dual airbags in America, but the Defender didn’t make the cut and was banned for failing to meet standard safety regulations.
Also, the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act made it illegal to import vehicles from abroad that were not sold in America. However, you can import cars after 25 years from the date of their production.
When did the defender return?
The Land Rover Defender 110 is back in 2020 followed by the Land Rover Defender in 2021. That luxury and capability is back and better than ever. She even hit the big screen in the James Bond movie No Time to Die.
Now Defender can continue to make history. It was first introduced in 1983 and resembles the design of the original Land Rover produced three years after the end of World War II.
The Defender proved so reliable in desert areas that the United States Army briefly used it for testing. In addition, it has been produced more than two million times.
For the first time ever, seating offers three rows of eight seats to provide the ability to involve the whole family in adventures.
What comes with the 2023 Land Rover Defender 110?
110 is a four-door model. You can choose the Defender 90 for a two-door, shorter wheelbase. The 110 can seat up to six passengers in three rows, but the Defender 130 offers more passenger room.
It has a monocoque design with fully independent suspension. The coil spring system can be upgraded to a height-adjustable air suspension. The Defender has a ground clearance of 11.5 inches and can ford water up to 35 inches deep.
The standard P300’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. You can upgrade to the P400 SE’s mild-hybrid 3.0-liter V6 rated at 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
Last but not least is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that makes 518 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It helps the Defender accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds.
If you’re looking for a capable off-road vehicle with luxurious comfort, then the Land Rover Defender returns with plenty of options to consider.
