If you’re a true off-roading enthusiast, the land rover defender offroad has always been a stalwart companion. From carrying crews on the Carrara marble quarries of Italy to roving the lush farmland of Britain, the Defender has been the unofficial Swiss Army knife of off-road driving since its launch in 1983.

While the Jeep Wrangler dominates the off-road scene in the US, the Defender has a global reputation for conquering hard places. It’s the vehicle of choice for adventure crews, deep-country folk and people who need to haul supplies across the harsh deserts of Namibia.

The new Defender ditches body-on-frame construction, live axles and steel springs for a modern, aluminum monocoque platform. It also introduces an array of advanced off-road equipment, including a height-adjustable air suspension and Terrain Response system, which quickly configures the suspension height, transmission behavior and electronic stability control to match specific trail conditions.

Land Rover Defender Configurator: Building Your Dream Off-Road Vehicle Online

It’s a smart setup. It allows the driver to switch between preset terrain modes — Rock Crawl, Grass Gravel Snow, Mud & Ruts and Sand — or leave things at Auto for regular off-roading.

With five selectable off-road driving modes, a suite of adaptive traction controls and a high-resolution infotainment system, the new Defender is easy to operate off the beaten path. It’s a plug-and-play device, which means you don’t have to fuss with drivetrain or suspension settings unless you’re tackling a really tough challenge.