The Land Rover Defender 90 and its larger Defender 110 sibling have taken the large SUV market by storm. Despite their premium pricing and super-long options list, they’re popular and supremely competent – off- and on-road. Whichever version you go for, you’ll end up with an award-winner. The Defender has won Best Off-Roader for 2023 in the Parkers New Car Awards for the second year in a row.

Though it’s a replacement for the old Defender, that car was in many ways a throwback to Land Rover’s very origins, and by the time it was removed from sale it was almost dangerously outdated. That’s not a criticism you can level at this model, with its touchscreen-dominated interior and modern powertrains.

With its shorter length and three-door bodywork, the Defender 90 is understandably much less practical than its larger siblings, the 110 and 130. Priority’s been given to rear passengers rather than luggage, and the Defender will seat five as standard – though you can even specify a jump seat in between the front two to make it a six-seater.

Compared to its predecessor, the Defender 90 is far more refined on the road, with optional air suspension, yet it’s still brilliant at tackling the rough stuff, even moreso than its longer sibling. Its off-road prowess benefits from technology such as Terrain Response 2, which monitors a variety of parameters to determine the best off-road driving mode at any given moment.

Available in everything from a (relatively) roughshod entry-level model with steel wheels and a hose-down interior right up to a plush and powerful V8, there’s a Defender V8 to suit most, but this really is a car to buy with the heart rather than the head.