2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity, however, was likely to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though the taillight shape and body-colored C-pillar were minor design drawbacks. Inside, the King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to blend the classic ruggedness of its predecessors with modern aesthetics. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with diamond-plate cladding. The spare tire mounted on the side-hinged tailgate added to its rugged appeal. The Defender's interior emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The leather seating was both tough and luxurious, and the digital instrument panel and center touchscreen were well-integrated. The overall feel was one of authenticity and high quality, with real metal and leather surfaces enhancing the experience.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided a pleasant driving experience, with the SUV accelerating enthusiastically despite its 5,368-pound weight. The Expedition offered a choice between rear-wheel drive and an optional four-wheel-drive system, with a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD). Towing capacities were impressive, with the standard model capable of towing up to 9,300 pounds. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling while maximizing interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. On-road performance was also strong, with the 3.0-liter model accelerating from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The Defender could tow up to 8,200 pounds and had a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds. The driving experience was comfortable and confident, both on highways and in city environments, with the high seating position providing excellent visibility.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, and the interior was spacious and comfortable, especially the heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row in the standard-length model, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rows folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender, built on a unibody platform, featured four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension for enhanced on-road and off-road performance. The interior offered flexible seating configurations, including an optional jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space in the Defender 110 was 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. The three-door Defender 90 had 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 58.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it sometimes lagged in response. Other tech highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which made towing easier.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Pivi Pro infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Defender also offered multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view for off-roading. Audio options ranged from a six-speaker system to a 14-speaker Meridian sound system. Additional tech included a full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. However, it came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, 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 also underwent extensive durability testing.