My Weekend with the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 S: Unexpected Luxury, Legendary Capability

My Weekend with the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 S: Unexpected Luxury, Legendary Capability

Every weekend, I test drive a new car from Willis Automotive—and this past weekend, I spent time with the 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 S. The Defender name is iconic for a reason, and while I didn’t hit any trails or dirt roads, it still made a big impact driving through Des Moines. Between its head-turning style and high-end comfort, it brought an unexpectedly luxurious edge to its off-road capability.

Friday Night: A Stylish Night Out

My boyfriend and I headed downtown to Blue Sushi, then walked over to the Civic Center to see the musical Hadestown. The Defender made quite the impression before we even stepped inside. When I opened the door in the dark, the illuminated Defender logo projected onto the ground—such a sleek detail that immediately sets the tone for what this vehicle is all about.

While driving home, my boyfriend kept commenting on how clean and modern the dash looked at night. The interactive digital driver display is crisp, easy to read, and customizable. He was also obsessed with the ambient interior lighting and how it paired with the Defender’s overall aesthetic. But the best part? He discovered the front center console refrigerator—yes, a literal mini-fridge between the front seats. Perfect for keeping drinks cold during road trips or just feeling fancy after a night out.

Saturday: Grocery Runs & Birthday Surprises

Saturday morning started with errands and grocery shopping, and I was immediately thankful for the 360° camera system and clear parking assist visuals on the 11.4” curved touchscreen. Tight spots and crowded lots were no issue at all. The rearview camera mirror also helped with clear visibility, even with bags in the back seat.

The Defender has a deep center console that’s extremely versatile. It can convert into a smaller, more compact storage space or be used for larger items. That kind of thoughtful design comes in handy more than you'd think. I stored all my grocery bags in the spacious trunk, which made loading and unloading a breeze.

Later that day, I drove a group of friends to a surprise birthday party, and they were blown away. Backseat passengers noticed some of the coolest details most cars overlook—like the USB-C ports tucked into the sides of the second-row seatbacks, making it super convenient for everyone to charge their devices. They also loved the raised stadium-style rear seating, which gave them a better view and made the ride feel roomy and open. And yes, the heated rear seats earned plenty of love, too.

Sunday: Pickleball & Sunroof Open

Sunday was the kind of spring day that deserves a drive with the windows down—and in my case, the sliding panoramic sunroof wide open. After playing a few games of pickleball, I drove around with the breeze coming in and the Meridian™ sound system playing in the background. The sound quality was rich and immersive, even with the roof open and the sun shining in.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 S doesn’t just check the boxes—it adds features you didn’t even know you wanted. Some of my favorites?

• Front center console refrigerator

• Defender logo puddle lights

• Seatback USB-C ports

• Convertible deep center console

• Stadium-style rear seats

• Heated front and rear seats

• 360° camera system with clear, intuitive visuals

• Meridian™ premium audio system

• Customizable ambient interior lighting

• Sliding panoramic sunroof

• Google built-in and wireless smartphone integration

It’s stylish, functional, and full of personality. Whether you’re going out downtown or just making your Sunday grocery run, the Defender brings a level of cool most SUVs can’t touch.