2021 Land Rover Defender vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, closely resembling Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials. While the wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims added a touch of luxury, they clashed with the low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Defender aimed to echo the iconic look of its predecessors while embracing modernity. The Defender featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders reminiscent of earlier models. Its design included functional elements like a spare tire mounted on the side-hinged tailgate and a floating roof. The Defender's interior continued the theme of exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls. The leather-upholstered seating was both tough and luxurious, complemented by a digital instrument panel and a center touchscreen interface. The Defender's interior exuded authenticity and high quality, with real metal and leather surfaces adding to its appeal.

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 well-matched driving experience, with the CR-V feeling quick, especially in Sport mode. Despite the CVT's reputation for sluggishness, Honda's engineers managed to deliver a responsive and fuel-efficient performance. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. With a curb weight of just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V was among the lightest in its class, contributing to its excellent fuel economy of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD models.

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. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard across all models. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. 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. It also boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds and a payload capacity of over 1,700 pounds.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. The CR-V provided excellent head- and legroom for both driver and passengers, thanks to its optimal seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use.

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 Defender's interior offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and an optional third row in the long-wheelbase 110 model. The Defender 110 provided 34.6 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and 78.8 cubic feet behind the first row, while the three-door model offered 58.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. While Bluetooth connectivity and Pandora compatibility were standard, the system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, offering better navigation than Honda's system. The CR-V included multiple USB ports, with the EX trim and above featuring two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender introduced Land Rover's Pivi Pro system, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with multiple USB and 12-volt outlets. The Defender offered advanced camera views, including a "transparent hood" view and a 360-degree view, enhancing off-road capabilities. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured an extensive list of standard safety features. These included a perimeter alarm, front airbags, tire pressure monitoring, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, anti-lock braking, emergency brake assist, 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 rigorous durability testing, ensuring its safety and reliability.