2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, a Prestige model, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7's appearance. The test vehicle's 20-inch turbine-style wheels with 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires added to its visual appeal.

Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The Virtual Cockpit panel offered various themes and configurations, while two touch-sensing screens on the center console handled infotainment functions. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, exuded an upscale and high-tech vibe. The Prestige's standard multi-color ambient lighting added a soothing ambiance at night.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the vibe of its predecessors while modernizing the SUV. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, flat-topped fenders, and a floating roof. The fenders had composite cladding with a diamond-plate pattern, and functional vents behind the front fenders resembled shark gills. The spare tire was mounted on the side-hinged tailgate. Short overhangs and a bold "DEFENDER" nameplate added to its rugged appearance. The Defender's fit and finish were first-rate, presenting better in person than in pictures.

Inside, the Defender's exposed structure theme was prominent, with a dash held between horizontal beams and exposed Allen-head bolts securing the door panels. The controls and steering wheel were beefy, and the leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious. A digital instrument panel and a securely mounted center touchscreen interface added to the high-quality feel. The interior materials, including real metal and leather, felt authentic and thoughtfully designed.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It also had a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system powered by a lithium-ion battery, which helped conserve fuel. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi Drive Select offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The Q7 55 TFSI could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 21 mpg on a road trip and 18.1 mpg on a local fuel-economy loop.

The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, with Audi Drive Select adjusting firmness settings and allowing the driver to alter suspension height. The Q7 handled well on both pavement and trails, with speedy acceleration and agile performance. The mild-hybrid technology operated transparently, and the cabin remained quiet thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass. Overall, the Q7 offered responsive acceleration, significant towing capacity, decent off-roading capability, and good fuel economy.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 horsepower was announced for 2022. All Defender models used an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. Terrain Response 2 was optional, adding automatic and advanced settings. Locking center and active locking rear differentials were available for off-roading.

The Defender's off-road capabilities included a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, 45-degree maximum ascent/descent gradient, and 45-degree maximum side slope traverse gradient. Ground clearance ranged from 8.5 to 11.5 inches, and the Defender could wade through 35.4 inches of water. On the road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter model in 5.8 seconds. The Defender had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. The 3.0-liter mild-hybrid powertrain impressed with its driving character, offering a comfortable ride on highways and easy maneuverability in city driving. The Defender also performed well on dirt roads and farm trails, showcasing its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Audi Q7 included three rows of seats and seven-passenger capacity, but it was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, with a flat, featureless cushion. When the third-row seat was in use, cargo space was limited to 14.2 cubic feet. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7 was comfortable for a family of four, with agreeable front seats and plenty of legroom and thigh support in the second row. The test vehicle's four-zone climate control, heated rear cushions, and rear side window shades ensured comfort in varying temperatures. The panoramic sunroof was perfect for sightseeing and stargazing.

However, the Q7 lacked practical interior storage. The center armrest housed the Audi Phone Box wireless smartphone charger, leaving little space for other items. The console offered two narrow cupholders, and the lower dashboard screen took up additional space. The glove compartment and door-panel bins were the only other storage options. Second-row occupants had netted storage on the front seatbacks and door-panel bins, with cupholders deploying from the center armrest.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, making extensive use of aluminum for weight reduction and strength. The Defender used four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension, enhancing both on-road and off-road performance. Independent suspension allowed for better ride quality and opened up interior configuration possibilities. The Defender offered a jump seat between the front seats for three-across seating and a third-row seat for two in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 had 34-34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 15.6 cubic feet in the three-door 90 model. The 90 model also had 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats, while the 110 had 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured the new Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch touchscreen with an 8.6-inch touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the MMI Touch Response was an improvement over the previous setup, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The user interface was intuitive, and once set up, required minimal interaction. A volume and tuning knob resided on the center console, and the voice-recognition technology was excellent. The Prestige trim included a full-color head-up display, though it was invisible with polarized sunglasses. The test vehicle had a Bose premium sound system, which was replaced by a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing remote software updates for 14 individual modules. A WiFi connection was standard, with optional upgrades. The Defender was the first Land Rover to use the Pivi Pro system, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, were available for off-roading. The standard audio system had six speakers, with upgrades to 10 or 14 speakers plus a subwoofer. Meridian sound systems with 180, 400, or 700 watts of amplification were also available. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror, replacing the traditional mirror with a camera view, were optional.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which performed exceptionally well during night driving. However, the IIHS rated them as "poor" due to excessive glare. The Q7 came with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS), with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but the traffic-sign-recognition technology caused issues by misreading signs. Active Lane Assist was also problematic, often feeling like it had a mind of its own. The Q7 received the highest ratings from the IIHS, except for the "poor" headlight assessment.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with an extensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags with a passenger seat occupant monitor, a tire pressure monitoring system, a rear ISOFIX system for child safety seats, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, cruise control speed limiter, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, driver condition monitor, traffic sign recognition, rear traffic monitor, clear exit monitor, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, including hundreds of thousands of miles through harsh climates and conditions. It had front and rear recovery points capable of withstanding up to 10 tons of pull, essential for off-roading.