Land Rover Defender 130 Rental Iceland | 7-Seat Guaranteed | AWD

Last updated: October 2026 | Reviewed by the Hertz Iceland Fleet Team

The Land Rover Defender 130 is the only 7-seat guaranteed model in the Hertz Iceland Prestige Fleet — a full-size AWD automatic SUV with Terrain Response 2, air suspension, and up to 1,946 litres of load space. Not permitted on F-roads or Highland tracks. Roads 35 (Kjölur) and 550 (Kaldidalur) are permitted when open. For F-road Defender access, see the Defender 110 or Defender 110 PHEV. Minimum age 25. Two credit cards required.

Land Rover Defender 130 Rental Iceland: 7-Seat Guaranteed AWD Guide

The Land Rover Defender 130 is the only guaranteed 7-seat SUV in the Hertz Iceland fleet — the flagship of the Prestige Fleet and the only vehicle that seats 7 adults in genuine Land Rover quality on Iceland’s paved main roads and permitted highland routes. Where other large group vehicles in Iceland offer seats without premium, or premium without seats, the Defender 130 provides both.

Extended by 358mm over the Defender 110, the 130 exists to answer a single question: what if your group of 7 needs a proper Land Rover? Three rows of seats, air suspension, Terrain Response 2, 900mm wading depth, and the Defender’s industrial-grade build quality — in a vehicle that fits 7 adults with luggage, on Iceland’s Ring Road, in any season.

F-road access: the Defender 130 is not permitted on F-roads or Highland tracks despite its AWD and Terrain Response system. Roads 35 (Kjölur) and 550 (Kaldidalur) are permitted when conditions are clear and officially open. For F-road access in a Defender, see the Defender 110 or Defender 110 PHEV.

Feature	Specification
Drive System	Permanent AWD (Terrain Response 2)
Transmission	Automatic (8-speed ZF)
Fuel Type	Petrol or Diesel (varies by availability)
Engine Options	3.0L inline-6 P400 petrol or D300 diesel
Seats	7 (1 driver + 6 passengers)
Boot Space (3rd row up)	389 litres
Boot Space (3rd row folded)	786 litres
Boot Space (all rows folded)	1,946 litres
Air Suspension	Standard — adjustable ride height
Wading Depth	900mm
Allowed Road Types	Paved Roads, Standard Gravel, Road 35 & 550 (when open). NO F-Roads.
Model	Guaranteed Model — you receive this exact vehicle
Credit Cards	Two credit cards required at pickup
F-Road Defender	See Defender 110 or Defender 110 PHEV
Roadside Assistance	Available at pickup desk, from 990 ISK/day with MAX Coverage

💡 Hertz Insider Tip: Land Rover Defender 130 – True 7-Seat Capability & Luggage Strategy

“The Defender 130’s third row is a genuine adult seat — not a nominal fold-down for occasional children. Two adults can sit in the third row for a full Golden Circle day or a South Coast overnight without the discomfort that most third-row SUVs impose.”

That said, with all 7 seats in use, the boot space reduces to 389 litres. For a group of 7 traveling with full luggage, the practical solution is to use soft duffel bags, or split luggage between a roof box/carrier added during booking and the interior load area.

For groups of 5–6, simply fold the third row down to expand the cargo area to a massive 786 litres of boot space while keeping the spacious second-row passenger seating fully in use.

Is the Land Rover Defender 130 Good for Driving in Iceland?

Yes — for groups of up to 7 on Iceland’s paved main roads and permitted highland gravel routes, the Defender 130 is the only vehicle in the fleet that delivers this seat count in a guaranteed-model premium package.

7-Seat Capacity: The Defender 130 seats 7 adults across three rows — the only guaranteed-model 7-seater in the Hertz Iceland fleet. Third-row seating is genuinely usable for adults on day trips and shorter driving days. For multi-day Ring Road stages above 4 hours, two adults in the third row for the full day requires planning around stops.
Boot Space Reality: With all 7 seats in use, the boot offers 389 litres — adequate for soft bags and day packs, not for 7 large hard-shell suitcases simultaneously. For groups of 5–6, folding the third row creates 786 litres. For couples using the vehicle for luggage, all rows folded creates 1,946 litres.
AWD and Terrain Capability: Permanent AWD with Terrain Response 2, air suspension up to 291mm ground clearance, and 900mm wading depth. Road 35 (Kjölur highland gravel route) and Road 550 (Kaldidalur) are permitted when conditions are clear and officially open. Check road.is before entering either route.
Petrol or Diesel: Both variants are automatic AWD. The D300 diesel delivers better fuel economy and stronger low-revving torque — useful with 7 passengers on longer routes. The P400 petrol is more refined at higher revs. Specific engine allocated at pickup.
Winter Performance: Permanent AWD, Terrain Response 2, and winter tyres provide confident traction on Iceland’s main roads in all seasons. For winter guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.
Safety: Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Rear Traffic Monitor, and 360° Surround Camera standard. For a full guide to driving safely in Iceland, see safe.hertz.is.

Seating vs Boot Space — Practical Guide for Groups

Group Size	Seating Use	Boot Space Available
7 adults	All 3 rows in use	389 litres — soft bags only
5–6 adults	2 rows in use, 3rd row folded	786 litres — 3–4 large suitcases
3–4 adults	1 row in use, 2nd + 3rd rows folded	1,946 litres — maximum

Everything You Need.
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Get instant access to your rental details, helpful travel information, and more—all from your phone.

Hertz Safe Drive Iceland Mobile App Screenshots

When Is the Land Rover Defender 130 the Right Choice?

Groups of 7 needing a guaranteed premium SUV: The only vehicle in the Hertz Iceland fleet that combines 7 seats with guaranteed-model status in a full-size Land Rover. For corporate groups, family reunions, or travel parties of 7 who want everyone in one vehicle, this is the only option at this quality level.
Premium year-round group travel: Ring Road, South Coast, Golden Circle, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula for groups of 5–7 — in a vehicle where every passenger has a proper seat and the driver has Terrain Response 2 and air suspension underneath them.
Road 35 and Road 550 access for groups: The Kjölur route (Road 35) and Kaldidalur (Road 550) are Iceland’s most accessible highland gravel routes — not F-roads, open longer in the year, and passable for premium SUVs when conditions are clear. The Defender 130 is the only 7-seat vehicle in the fleet permitted on these routes.

⚠️ Not ideal if:

You plan F-road or Highland track driving — strictly forbidden on the Defender 130 despite AWD. For F-road Defender access, see the Defender 110 (or similar, F-road permitted) or Defender 110 PHEV (or similar, F-road permitted). Check safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide.
Your group of 7 has 7 full-size hard-shell suitcases — with all 7 seats in use, boot space is 389 litres. Soft bags or a roof carrier are required for a full 7-person luggage load.
You cannot present two credit cards at pickup — non-negotiable requirement.
You are under 25 years old — minimum age 25 for this category.
You need PHEV efficiency — the 130 is petrol or diesel only. For PHEV in a Defender, see the Defender 110 PHEV.

Rental Requirements & Restrictions

Minimum Age: 25 years old.
License: Valid driving license held for a minimum of 1 year. IDP required if license is not in Roman script.
Payment: Two valid credit cards in the main renter’s name required at pickup.
Engine: Petrol or diesel depending on fleet availability — cannot be specified in advance.
F-Road Policy: STRICTLY FORBIDDEN on this vehicle. Permitted on Road 35 (Kjölur) and Road 550 (Kaldidalur) only when conditions are clear and officially open — check road.is before entering.
Important: Driving on unmarked land, beaches, lava fields, or moss outside designated roads is illegal in Iceland.

Inside the Land Rover Defender 130

The Defender 130 cabin exists to answer the question that the 110 couldn’t — what if you need three rows? The extended wheelbase adds 358mm to the 110, and almost all of that length goes into the third row of seats. The result is a third row that is genuinely usable for adults rather than nominally present for occasions — important when a group of 7 has paid for a guaranteed model and expected everyone to be comfortable.

The first and second rows are identical to the Defender 110 — Land Rover’s current generation cabin with the 11.4-inch Pivi Pro touchscreen, ClearSight interior mirror, 3D Surround Camera, and the Defender’s distinctive rectangular design language that makes no attempt to look like anything other than a Defender. The Meridian audio system, available massaging seats, and four-zone climate control are standard on higher trims.

Air suspension raises and lowers at the touch of a button — useful when loading luggage at KEF’s arrivals hall, on the gravel car park approaches at major attractions, and on Road 35’s variable surface quality. Terrain Response 2 Auto manages surface transitions continuously without driver input.

With all 7 seats in use, the 389-litre boot fits soft bags for the group comfortably. Fold the third row and 786 litres opens up — at that point the Defender 130 becomes one of the most practically useful large group vehicles in Iceland. The wide tailgate and low load sill make loading and unloading at every Ring Road stop straightforward.

Seven adults in one guaranteed-model Land Rover, on Iceland’s Ring Road, in any season — that is the specific proposition the Defender 130 delivers, and nothing else in the Hertz Iceland fleet does it.

Land Rover Defender 130 Dimensions, Seating and Luggage For Your Trip

Specification	Detail
Car Class	Full-Size 7-Seat Premium AWD SUV
Generation	L663 (current)
Number of Doors	5
Number of Seats	7 (1 driver + 6 passengers)
Transmission	Automatic (8-speed ZF)
Fuel Type	Petrol or Diesel (varies by availability)
Engine Options	3.0L inline-6: P400 petrol (400 PS) or D300 diesel (300 PS)
Drive System	Permanent AWD, Terrain Response 2, All-Terrain Progress Control
Air Suspension	Standard — up to 291mm ground clearance (raised)
Wading Depth	900mm
Towing Capacity	3,500 kg
Boot (3rd row in use)	389 litres
Boot (3rd row folded)	786 litres
Boot (all rows folded)	1,946 litres
Length / Width	5,099mm / 2,008mm
Infotainment	11.4″ Pivi Pro, 3D Surround Camera, ClearSight Mirror
Safety	AEB, Adaptive Cruise, Lane Keep, Blind Spot, Rear Traffic Monitor, 360° Camera

Why rent a car in Iceland with Hertz?

The Defender 130 is part of the Hertz Iceland Prestige Fleet — rented from a locally owned operator with over 50 years of experience, operating in Iceland since 1971. We have been recognised as Iceland’s Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025 — and are proud to be nominated again in 2026.
The Only 7-Seat Guaranteed Model in the Fleet: No other vehicle in the Hertz Iceland fleet delivers 7 seats as a guaranteed model. When you book this category, you receive this exact Defender 130 — not a substitute.
Road 35 and 550 Access: The only 7-seat vehicle in the fleet permitted on Kjölur (Road 35) and Kaldidalur (Road 550) when conditions are open — the most scenic highland-adjacent routes in Iceland accessible to non-F-road vehicles.
Under 2 Years Old: Every Defender 130 in our fleet is under 2 years old — current L663 specification, full manufacturer warranty in effect.
Safety First: Permanent AWD, Terrain Response 2, air suspension, 360° cameras, 900mm wading depth, season-appropriate tyres, 24/7 emergency phone assistance. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.
Convenience: Available at KEF Airport, Keflavík Downtown, Reykjavík Downtown, and Reykjavík Domestic Airport.

History of Land Rover Defender

The original Land Rover Series I was launched in 1948 — a utilitarian, body-on-frame 4×4 designed for British farmers and the military. It became the Defender nameplate in 1990 and continued in its original form until 2016, when production ended after 68 years and approximately 2 million vehicles.

The current Defender, relaunched in 2020 as the L663, is a complete reinvention — monocoque aluminium construction, permanent AWD with Terrain Response 2, air suspension, and advanced electronics, while maintaining the Defender’s defining aesthetic of rectangular proportions and functional design. The 130 variant, extended from the 110’s platform, added three-row seating to the nameplate for the first time.

In Iceland, the Defender’s reputation has been built over decades of highland use — the original Defender was one of the most common vehicles on Iceland’s F-roads for 40 years. The current 130 inherits that heritage while operating on a fundamentally different brief: seven seats, guaranteed-model certainty, and paved-road premium rather than highland track durability.

Renting a Land Rover Defender 130 with Hertz Iceland means choosing the vehicle that carries the most recognisable 4×4 name in history — now in its most refined and most family-capable configuration.

Defender 130 vs Defender 110: Which Defender Fits Your Iceland Trip?

Feature	Defender 130	Defender 110
Seats	7 (3 rows)	5 (2 rows)
F-Road Access	Not permitted	Permitted (summer)
Road 35 & 550	Permitted (when open)	Permitted (when open)
Boot (all seats in use)	389 litres (3rd row up)	Larger — no 3rd row
Boot (seats folded)	786L / 1,946L	Larger flat area
Guaranteed Model	Yes	Or similar
Credit Cards	2 required	2 required
Min Age	25	23
PHEV Available	No	Yes — 110 PHEV
Best For	Groups of 7, premium paved roads	F-roads, 5-seat highland access
Link	This page	Defender 110

Rental Locations

Our Iceland Rental Locations

Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

The most convenient pick-up point for international arrivals.

Summer (1 May – 30 Nov): 24/7
Winter (1 Dec – 30 Apr): Mon-Sun: 05:30–02:00

Reykjavík Downtown

? Flugvallarvegi 5
Mon–Fri: 08:00–17:00 | Weekends: 08:00–15:00
Self-service pick-up outside staffed hours

Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)

Mon–Fri: 08:00–17:00
Weekends: 09:00–15:00

Keflavik Downtown

Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:00

Akureyri Airport (AEY)

Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:00
Key box pick-up during terminal hours

Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)

Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:00
Key box pick-up available

Ísafjörður Airport (IFJ)

Mon–Fri: 08:00–16:00
Key box pick-up available

Höfn Airport (HFN)

Please contact the Hertz Iceland Service Centre for current operating hours.

Hafnarfjörður Selhella (HQ)

Mon–Fri: 08:00–17:00
Weekends: CLOSED

Bíldudalur Airport (BIU)

Operates only upon receipt of confirmed bookings. Must book in advance.
Contact to confirm: hertz@hertz.is

Skagaströnd Support Station

Operates only upon receipt of confirmed bookings. Must book in advance.
Contact to confirm: hertz@hertz.is

What’s Included in Your Rental

24/7 emergency phone support across Iceland
Unlimited mileage
Free cancellation 3+ days before pickup (prepaid) / any time before rental start (Pay on Arrival)
Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Third-party liability coverage
VAT (included in your rental price)
- Road tax (not included in the rental quote): it will be charged separately after return, based on actual km driven — see Road Tax section below
Season-appropriate tyres (winter tyres in winter, summer tyres in warmer months)

⚠️ Two credit cards required at pickup — both in the main renter’s name.

Important: Iceland Road Tax (2026) — Not Included in Your Rental

As of January 1, 2026, Iceland requires a mandatory Kilometre Tax on all vehicles. This is not included in your rental price — it is calculated based on actual kilometres driven and charged separately after you return the vehicle.

✔ Transparent Pay-Per-Km Pricing

Government Road Tax: 6.95 ISK / km
Hertz Service Fee: 1.40 ISK / km (+ VAT)

*Charged based on actual distance driven. Added to your final invoice after vehicle return.

Questions? Contact our team at: roadtax@hertz.is

Roadside Assistance

Help when you need it most — for common situations on the road.

ℹ️ What is Roadside Assistance?

Roadside Assistance provides professional on-site support to resolve vehicle issues wherever you are in Iceland. Whenever an incident occurs, our team evaluates the situation on a case-by-case basis to determine the fastest, most effective solution to get you back on the road safely without unnecessary delays.

What’s covered

This add-on covers Roadside Assistance for the following common situations:

⬤ Locked out of your vehicle
⬤ Flat or punctured tyre
⬤ Drained battery
⬤ Running out of fuel

⚠️ Important Exclusion: Roadside Assistance required due to accidents or driver fault is not covered.

*This includes, but is not limited to: loss of car keys, rim damages, water damage, filling the tank with the wrong fuel, and any other rental car damage caused by the driver.

? How it works: If you require Roadside Assistance, you will need to pay the third-party service provider directly on-site first. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR RECEIPT! Present this receipt to our team when you return your rental car, and Hertz Iceland will refund the eligible amount directly back to your card.

Pricing

Stand-alone Roadside Assistance	1,990 kr./day
With Max Cover Roadside Assistance	990 kr./day

Best Value Add to Max Cover and save 1,000 kr./day

Pro Tip: The Hertz Iceland Difference

Travel with peace of mind. We offer a Newer, Reliable Fleet (under 2 years old), a Prime Location (inside Keflavik Airport (KEF) arrival hall), and comprehensive, cross-country Nationwide Support with premium customer service—just a phone call away.

In an emergency anywhere in Iceland, call our 24/7 line at +354 858 0499. For pre-trip safety planning, visit safe.hertz.is.

Road Trips with the Land Rover Defender 130

Seven seats, one guaranteed Defender, Iceland’s most scenic paved and permitted-gravel routes. These are the trips where keeping the whole group together in one vehicle makes the difference.

Kjölur Route (Road 35) — Group Highland Crossing

Reykjavík Gullfoss Road 35 Kjölur Hveravellir Kerlingarfjöll Akureyri

Road 35 — the Kjölur route — is Iceland’s most accessible highland crossing: a maintained gravel road running from Gullfoss north through the remote Hveravellir geothermal area and the Kerlingarfjöll rhyolite mountains to Blönduós. It is not an F-road, does not require river crossings, and is passable for permitted vehicles like the Defender 130 when conditions are officially open. For a group of 7, this is the route that separates the Defender 130 from every other 7-seat option in the market — a genuine highland gravel crossing, everyone together, in a guaranteed Land Rover. The Defender 130’s air suspension handles the variable surface quality throughout, and the diesel variant’s torque makes the gradients effortless. Drop the vehicle at Hertz Akureyri on arrival. Check road.is before the Road 35 section.

Best Time: Late June to early September — Road 35 typically opens June and closes by late September or October. Always check road.is before departure. This is a gravel highland route, not an F-road: no river crossings, no technical terrain.

The Full Ring Road — Group of 7

Reykjavík South Coast Jökulsárlón East Fjords Akureyri Snæfellsnes Reykjavík

The full 1,332 km Ring Road for a group of 7 in a single guaranteed-model vehicle — the Defender 130 is the only option in the Hertz Iceland fleet that makes this possible. Everyone together, one driver, one fuel bill, one navigation, one insurance decision. Terrain Response 2 Auto manages Iceland’s varied Ring Road surfaces continuously; air suspension adjusts for the gravel car park approaches at major attractions; the Pivi Pro navigation handles the East Fjords’ winding coastal roads without driver distraction. For the third-row passengers, plan the longest daily stages with regular stops — the third row is genuine for adults on day trips and shorter stages, and benefits from breaks on full-day Ring Road driving days. Allow 7–10 days minimum for a relaxed full loop.

Luggage Tip: With all 7 seats in use, the boot holds 389 litres — soft bags only for a full group. Fold the third row on days when only 5 or 6 are travelling to open up 786 litres. Consider a roof carrier for the full group luggage load — ask at pickup.

South Coast & Kaldidalur (Road 550)

Reykjavík Þingvellir Road 550 Kaldidalur Húsafell Seljalandsfoss Skógafoss Vík

Kaldidalur (Road 550) is Iceland’s most accessible glacier highland road — running between Þingvellir and Húsafell through the Langjökull glacier area on a maintained gravel surface that is not an F-road and requires no river crossings. Permitted for the Defender 130 when officially open, it adds the highland interior to a Golden Circle and South Coast combination without requiring F-road certification. From Húsafell, continue south to the South Coast’s waterfalls — Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss — and overnight in Vík. A 5-day itinerary for a group of 7 that reaches Iceland’s highland interior, its most photographed waterfalls, and its black sand beaches without needing to split into multiple vehicles. Check road.is before the Road 550 section.

Road 550 Tip: Kaldidalur is a maintained gravel road — not an F-road and not requiring river crossings. It typically opens in June and closes by October or when conditions deteriorate. Always check road.is before entering. Drive at reduced speed on gravel sections.

Land Rover Defender 130 SUV 7 seater rental FAQ

- Is the Land Rover Defender 130 a guaranteed model?
  Yes. The Defender 130 is one of the guaranteed models in the Hertz Iceland Prestige Fleet — when you book this category, you receive this exact vehicle. It is the only 7-seat guaranteed model in the Hertz Iceland fleet.

- Can I drive the Defender 130 on F-roads?
  No. The Defender 130 is strictly forbidden on F-roads and Highland tracks in Iceland. Road 35 (Kjölur) and Road 550 (Kaldidalur) are permitted when conditions are clear and officially open — always check road.is before entering either route. For F-road access in a Defender, see the Defender 110 or Defender 110 PHEV. Check safe.hertz.is/f-road-guide for vehicle eligibility.

- Defender 130 vs Defender 110 — which should I choose?
  The Defender 130 seats 7 (3 rows), is a guaranteed model, and is not F-road permitted. The Defender 110 seats 5 (2 rows), is or-similar, and is F-road permitted in summer. Choose the 130 for a group of 6–7 on paved roads and Road 35 or 550. Choose the 110 for F-road access or smaller groups who need highland track capability. A PHEV version of the 110 is also available — see the Defender 110 PHEV.

- How much luggage fits in the Defender 130?
  Boot space depends on seating use: 389 litres with all 7 seats in use (soft bags recommended for a full group), 786 litres with the third row folded (3–4 large suitcases), and 1,946 litres with both rear rows folded. For a group of 7 with full hard-shell luggage, a roof carrier is recommended — ask at the rental desk at pickup.

- Why do I need two credit cards to rent the Defender 130?
  The Land Rover Defender 130 requires two valid credit cards in the main renter’s name at pickup. Both cards must be physically present at the rental desk. Debit cards do not qualify.

- Is the Defender 130 good for winter driving in Iceland?
  Yes — on cleared main roads. Permanent AWD with Terrain Response 2 and winter tyres provides confident traction on Iceland’s Ring Road and major paved routes in all seasons. F-roads are closed in winter regardless of vehicle. Road 35 and Road 550 are typically closed by October. For winter driving guidance, visit safe.hertz.is.

- Does Hertz Iceland offer Roadside Assistance?
  Yes. Roadside Assistance can be added at the rental desk at pickup — not bookable online in advance. It costs 1,990 ISK/day standalone, or 990 ISK/day when added with MAX Coverage. If you need assistance during your rental, pay the service fee at the time, then bring your receipt when you return the car — we’ll refund the covered amount to your card on file. Emergency line: +354 858 0499 (24/7).

- Where can I find driving safety information for Iceland?
  Hertz Iceland operates safe.hertz.is — a dedicated driving safety hub covering winter driving, F-road guidance, road conditions, and emergency contacts. Available to all travellers in Iceland, not just Hertz customers.