2008 Land Rover Defender SVX First Steer
December 14, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
And while that might be a problem for some, the diehards won’t even flinch at the $63,320 price tag, when it looks like this.
And it does look good, just ask half of Sydney’s male population who stopped by to pay homage wherever we parked in the CBD last week.
One guy driving a Range Rover Sport TDV6 would have traded it on the spot for the SVX. In fact he was genuinely disappointed that I couldn’t help him out.
It’s the Santorini black metallic paint job with the satin black 60th decals on the bonnet bulge and side doors that mostly set the Land Rover worshippers off.
It looks more like an urban assault vehicle used by a SWAT team than the authentic off-roader it is underneath all the bling.
The 16-inch bright finish alloys, metallic look front grille surround and front undershield and side steps are just a few of the features that separate the SVX from the stock 110, but inside is where the bling dial has been maxed out.
Whoever thought of installing a set of supremely comfortable heated leather Recaro seats up front in a Defender should be given a Christmas bonus; it’s the one feature, which makes this vehicle enjoyable to drive long distances, and probably should be an option on any Land Rover product.
The Defender is one of the coolest cars in the world, but not this one. It’s a cool car because it just isn’t trying at all, this one is trying very hard indeed and that is why I would stick to a stock Defender. Saying that, I’d much rather a Discovery which is comfortable, quiet, more powerful, better looking and only a tiny bit more expensive.
If only all those great explorers knew of the current reliability issues plaguing current LR’s and RR’s. I suspect they would be turning in their graves.
It no doubt is a very clever idea, but somehow it really makes you wonder they did it in the first place. People who wanted a comfortable, refined but yet still serious off-roader still would’ve gone to a different page in the Land Rover catalogue and selected either a Range Rover or Discovery (price points not withstanding, of course).
Defender buyers have always been just that; Defender buyers. Wasn’t it said somewhere that most of the Defender market have just been return customers?
I too would probably go for a stock Defender (were I in a market for such a thing) and if I ever felt the need to chav it up.. well. Who knows =p
Devil666, the Defender is the only Land Rover left that has reliability issues and those aren’t really there since Land Rover changed the engine over a few years ago. There are not any reliability issues on either Range Rovers, the Discovery 3 or the Freelander. And don’t try and site recalls to me because all cars have recalls, even Toyotas and Hondas. It’s time that stereotype was put to rest as it’s really quite dated.
Alex,
The reliability issues these days are the electrical systems in LR/RR. There are still huge problems with these vehicles. The JD Power review for 2008 lists Land Rover 3rd last, nothing to rave about.
Who cares whats wrong or right with it, its just bloody cool…
I love my landrover svx, as it is a perfect vehicle or north queensland and copes with all the daily problems of the wet season and more………traded in a bmw for the svx…….no regrets.
Am getting my svx 110 monday. Can’t wait!
I think the SVX is awesome (though I don’t like the front) but I a agree that if I were in the market for a gizmo-equipped LR I’d go for a different model.
Gotta hand it to LR though, this is a great marketing coup.