2020 Honda CR-V vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of the fifth generation of Honda’s compact crossover, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior featured soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda’s sedan lineup, giving it a car-like appearance more akin to a station wagon than an SUV. This styling made it a modern family vehicle on the outside. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the classic, boxy design reminiscent of the LR4, with squared-off edges, a rising roof, and round headlights. It was a vehicle that embraced its rugged heritage, with features like step plates and a ladder for roof access, although these were more for show than function. The Defender’s design was purposeful, with options for customization that allowed it to be dressed for urban or off-road adventures. Its exterior was complemented by a basic, industrial interior that prioritized durability over luxury, with features like a rubber floor and exposed screws. The Defender was a vehicle that inspired adventure, both in its design and capabilities.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode, and the CR-V’s car-like handling made it nimble and comfortable on the road. Its lightweight design contributed to excellent fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg. The CR-V was among the lightest in its class, enhancing its acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a more powerful performance with its optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This mild hybrid system provided smooth power delivery and quick engine restarts. The Defender’s off-road capabilities were exceptional, aided by features like Terrain Response 2 and adjustable-height suspension. It handled challenging terrains with ease, making it a versatile vehicle for both on-road and off-road adventures. The standard engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 296 horsepower, suitable for the smaller two-door 90 model. The Defender’s performance was robust, though it required more effort to handle compared to modern SUVs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, offering a roomy cabin with excellent head- and legroom. Its clever storage solutions, like a deep center console and a two-position load floor, made it easy to manage cargo. The CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, matching larger competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its design made it a practical choice for families, with ample room for passengers and their belongings.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized functionality and durability, with a minimalist interior designed for tough conditions. It offered flexible seating configurations, with the two-door 90 model accommodating up to six people and the four-door 110 model offering an optional third row for seven seats. The Defender’s cargo space varied by model, with the 110 providing up to 79 cubic feet with seats folded. Its design included practical features like a roof ladder and impressive towing capacity, making it a capable vehicle for transporting people and gear in challenging environments.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a basic 5-inch screen on the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims. While it offered Bluetooth and Pandora compatibility, it lacked the advanced features found in competitors. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only on the larger screen, and the system’s interface was not user-friendly. However, the CR-V provided ample USB ports and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender introduced the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous JLR systems. It featured a 10-inch touchscreen with dual SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air updates. The system offered off-road capabilities, with cameras providing views of the terrain and a rearview mirror doubling as a screen. The Defender came with standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 360-degree camera system, with options for advanced features like a head-up display and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the “Honda Sensing” system as standard, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although lower trims had less effective headlights. A recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies, but it included standard safety features like forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear cross-traffic alerts and exit alerts. The Defender’s safety equipment was comprehensive, though it lacked some airbags found in other vehicles.